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Questions tagged [differences]

This tag is for questions about the differences in the meaning of two words. For us to be able to help you, please provide the sourced definitions that you are referring to, where the confusion arises, as well as an example sentence that shows the ambiguity.

Two or more synonyms/comparatives must be explicitly provided by the question asker in order for a question to be tagged thus.

If the question asks for the difference in usage between two words, please tag the question with the tag . If the question simply asks for the meaning of a word, without providing synonyms, please tag with either , or .

3930 questions
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What are the differences between "inverse", "reverse", and "converse"?

What distinctions can be made among the meanings of the words "inverse", "reverse", "converse", and, for good measure, "transverse" and "obverse"? Is it ever possible to use some of them interchangeably? Are they the same for purposes of casual…
jscs
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46
votes
10 answers

Difference between "OK" and "okay"

While typing a post on SO, I noticed that the word "ok" (when used in the sentence "I'm still learning so it is ok") was marked as misspelled (got to love spellcheck!) The first suggestion, however, confused me. The suggestion was "OK" (as opposed…
Freesnöw
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7 answers

Difference between "validation" and "verification"

What is the difference between validation and verification? When looking them up on Wiktionary they seem to mean mostly the same thing, but is there a difference? For example, would I be correct in saying that Checking that the format of an email…
Svish
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44
votes
5 answers

'Clean' vs 'Clear'

What is their difference? Please provide an example (or two if the use as verb or adjective differentiates their meanings).
Dimitris Leventeas
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38
votes
4 answers

Difference between "response" and "reply"

As far as I understand, replies are a subset of responses: A reply is a response in words or writing. However, responses can take many different forms, e.g. when a country responds in force to some perceived aggression. Is this correct? What is the…
Urs Reupke
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35
votes
3 answers

"Whole" vs. "entire"

I wonder if there is a difference between the words "whole" and "entire". For example, the following sentences: I spent my whole life waiting for you. I spent my entire life waiting for you.
kiewic
  • 635
32
votes
6 answers

What is the difference between "simulate" and "emulate"?

The words clearly have a similar meaning. But I think there must be a subtle difference. e.g. You get a "flight simulator", but an "ipad emulator". Both are pieces of software for replicating the behaviour of something. So why are the words not…
Urbycoz
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30
votes
6 answers

Difference between "Warm regards" and "Best regards"

Is there any difference between Warm regards and Best regards?
Larry Morries
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29
votes
7 answers

Difference between "full professional proficiency" and "native or bilingual proficiency"

When I logged on to LinkedIn the other day, I was prompted to add information about which language I speak and at which level. I consider myself to be pretty fluent both in written and spoken English, although I probably have a noticable Swedish…
JesperE
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28
votes
5 answers

Difference between "each" and "every"

What is the difference between the following two sentences? Each apple is red. Every apple is red.
user2683
27
votes
5 answers

What's the difference between "on the contrary" and "in contrast"

Is there any difference between these two phrases? Is there any context in which we only can use one rather than the other?
Au-Yeung Kham Sau
  • 563
26
votes
5 answers

What is the difference between optimal and optimum?

My question is exactly as the title says. Someone used "optimum" in an email to me and in my response I used "optimal," so I began wondering what the difference between them is.
dmr
  • 2,710
26
votes
9 answers

Difference between "little" and "small"

Is there a difference between them? If so, how and when are they used? For example: I fixed a little/small typo.
Shaz
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24
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3 answers

What is the difference between "none of ..." and "neither of"?

What's the difference between the following examples: Neither of my teachers are mathematicians. None of my teachers are mathematicians.
Gigili
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22
votes
3 answers

"Point to" and "point at"

I'm having trouble putting the difference in meaning between "point to" and "point at" into words and my Longman dictionary isn't helping, I'm afraid. I'm not a native speaker, but I feel there is a definite difference; however the only thing I can…
SC for reinstatement of Monica
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