0
Maj Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
Electric/electrical
Do you believe in electric/electrical toothbrushes?
It's so difficult for me to tell the difference between these two. Could you give us some more examples?
It's so difficult for me to tell the difference between these two. Could you give us some more examples?
Top answer
As far as I know, "electric" is used: - of things that produce electricity - of things directly worked or produced by electricity "an electric generator" "an electric toothbrush" "electrical", on the other hand, is used of people and their work, or where the association with electric power is less direct "an electrical engineer" "an electrical fault in the system" Probably a native speaker of English will be able to give us both a better explanation. Miriam
- As far as I know, "electric" is used: - of things that produce electricity - of things directly worked or produced by electricity "an electric generator" "an electric toothbrush" "electrical", on the other hand, is used of people and their work, or where the association with electric power is less direct "an electrical engineer" "an electrical fault in the system" Probably a native speaker of English will be able to give us both a better explanation.
- Miriam
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
5 Answers
0
As far as I know, "electric" is used:
- of things that produce electricity
- of things directly worked or produced by electricity
"an electric generator"
"an electric toothbrush"
"electrical", on the other hand, is used of people and their work, or where the association with electric power is less direct
"an electrical engineer"
"an electrical fault in the
- of things that produce electricity
- of things directly worked or produced by electricity
"an electric generator"
"an electric toothbrush"
"electrical", on the other hand, is used of people and their work, or where the association with electric power is less direct
"an electrical engineer"
"an electrical fault in the
00
Hi everyone,
Here’s a little piece from Fowlers.
electric, electrical. In most contexts electric is the natural choice, especially to describe a device that works by electricity (electric blanket / electric kettle). Electrical is reserved for contexts in which the meaning is, more generally, ‘relating to or concerned with electricity’, as in electrical engineering.
Here’s a little piece from Fowlers.
electric, electrical. In most contexts electric is the natural choice, especially to describe a device that works by electricity (electric blanket / electric kettle). Electrical is reserved for contexts in which the meaning is, more generally, ‘relating to or concerned with electricity’, as in electrical engineering.
00
Thanks, Aileen! 
~takes a good look at you, trying to make it appear casual, to see if you still have that evil translator
~takes a good look at you, trying to make it appear casual, to see if you still have that evil translator
00
I thought I might use the Spanish scourge to create alphabet wallpaper. What do you think?
00
Aileen,
I can't post here what I think should be done with your 'Spanish scourge'! ~laughs~
Miriam
I can't post here what I think should be done with your 'Spanish scourge'! ~laughs~
Miriam
0
Related Questions