0
Smart Humanism Posted 10 years ago
Vocabulary
Can "activity" be substituted with "action" in this passage?
In Oxford English Dictionary, the following phrases are the definition for the word "phishing".
the activity of tricking people by getting them to give their identity, bank account numbers, etc. over the Internet or by email, and then using these to steal money from them
I wonder what difference lies there with "activity" replaced by "action" in the definition.
Thank you.
the activity of tricking people by getting them to give their identity, bank account numbers, etc. over the Internet or by email, and then using these to steal money from them
I wonder what difference lies there with "activity" replaced by "action" in the definition.
Thank you.
Top answer
Smart Humanism "activity" ... , "actions"). The definition focuses on "phishing" as repeated attempts to trick people.
- Smart Humanism "activity" ...
- , "actions").
- The definition focuses on "phishing" as repeated attempts to trick people.
- Using "action" instead of "activity" would make it a definition of one instance of trying to trick someone.
- CJ
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
Smart Humanism"activity" ... "action"The difference is similar to the difference between continuous tenses (on-going, repeated, regular, or habitual events, i.e., "activities") and simple tenses (often one-time events, i.e., "actions").
The definition focuses on "phishing" as repeated attempts to trick people.
Using "action" instead of "activity"
00
There is not much difference that I can tell. However, it does seem that while "action" can be substituted for "activity," it might not be that case that "activity" could be substituted for "action."
The action of popping the balloon surprised the crowd. "Activity" does not work well in that sentence.
The action of popping the balloon surprised the crowd. "Activity" does not work well in that sentence.
0
Related Questions