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Spring Posted 20 years ago
Vocabulary

dichotomy/aptitude

Could you please check if I am using the words "dichotomy and aptitude" correctly?

There is a dichotomy between the main character's true self and his public persona.

The dichotomy between the two families is not absolute.

I have zero aptitude for driving.

His aptitude for any intellectual, but not hands-on, activity was admired by everyone.

She has no aptitude for physics.

Thank you very much

Hope
  

Top answer

Hi, There is a dichotomy between the main character's true self and his public persona. Perfect. The dichotomy between the two families is not absolute.

— Clive

  • Hi, There is a dichotomy between the main character's true self and his public persona.
  • Perfect.
  • The dichotomy between the two families is not absolute.
  • Not so great.
  • The nature of the dichotomy is not apparent, although perhaps it would be if you gave acontext.
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9 Answers
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Hi,

There is a dichotomy between the main character's true self and his public persona. Perfect.

The dichotomy between the two families is not absolute. Not so great. The nature of the dichotomy is not apparent, although perhaps it would be if you gave acontext. It sounds wrong to say a dichotomy might be 'absolute'. What
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How does this sentence sound?

The dichotomy between the two families is not as wide as it appears, even though in one there are erudite people with liberal views on life, while in the other farmers gripped by stereotypes.

Thank you

Hope
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I think the sentence sounds perfect, Hope.

You have a lovely name, by the way. Both "Hope" and "Spring" conjure up really wonderful, positive images in my mind.
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Hi,

Do you guys know the saying 'Hope springs eternal . . . '?

Clive
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CliveDo you guys know the saying 'Hope springs eternal . . . '?

I've heard it, but it didn't occur to me just then. Nice one, Clive!
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I think I'd prefer absolute dichotomy over wide dichotomy. If a dichotomy is a division into opposites, it doesn't seem that unusual to call such a divison an imperfect (not absolute) one. The imperfection in this context could reside in the lack of a total contrast in their views on life, or if they are absolutely opposite i
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The dichotomy between the two families is not as wide as it appears, even though in one there are erudite people with liberal views on life, while in the other farmers gripped by stereotypes.
The use of "dichotomy" seems a little uncomfortable, in this context. A "dichotomy" requires a sense of "contradiction"; and "contradiction" requires opposing abstractions. But here,
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MrPedantic
A "dichotomy" requires a sense of "contradiction"

Are you sure about the contradiction part, MrP, or is that just more familiar use? (For sure, I wasn't around in 1610 AD):

dichotomy: 1610, from Gk. dichotomia "a cutting in half," from dicha "in two" + temnein "to cut"
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Hello Davkett

"Contradiction" is probably the wrong word...Perhaps it simply requires an "opposition" of abstract qualities.

MrP
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