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Tmn111 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Clear/distinct
Hi, can I use both words interchangeably when I want to describe a sign/shape etc. which is sharp and you can clearly see/recognize it?
For example:
The mark here is very clear.
The mark here is very distinct.
Thanks.
For example:
The mark here is very clear.
The mark here is very distinct.
Thanks.
Top answer
The words can have the same meaning; however, for me, distinct does hint at a differences or uniqueness because all the other meanings of distinct involve difference. Two distinct signs, therefore, hints at the signs being different signs -- that is why they are distinguishable. Two clear signs hint at the fact that the signs are easy to understand.
- The words can have the same meaning; however, for me, distinct does hint at a differences or uniqueness because all the other meanings of distinct involve difference.
- Two distinct signs, therefore, hints at the signs being different signs -- that is why they are distinguishable.
- Two clear signs hint at the fact that the signs are easy to understand.
- From context it is usually easy to deduce the meaning, but in your case here I do not known whether the mark is very different from other marks, so to say, or that the mark is easily understandable.
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2 Answers
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The words can have the same meaning; however, for me, distinct does hint at a differences or uniqueness because all the other meanings of distinct involve difference. Two distinct signs, therefore, hints at the signs being different signs -- that is why they are distinguishable. Two clear signs hint at the fact that the signs are easy to understand. From context it is usually easy to deduce the
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What I mean is the mark is not blurred and you can easily understand what it shows.
That means that I should use "clear" here.
However, longman dictionary reads:
distinct:
(among other meanings)
"-something that is distinct can clearly be seen, heard, smelled etc.
The outline of the ship became more distinct."
That's why I wasn't sure
That means that I should use "clear" here.
However, longman dictionary reads:
distinct:
(among other meanings)
"-something that is distinct can clearly be seen, heard, smelled etc.
The outline of the ship became more distinct."
That's why I wasn't sure
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