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Sun 94 Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary
Flattering vs obsequious
These two words -flattering and obsequious - seem to have the very similar meaning. My questions is if obsequious is a common word in spoken and written English and if the following sentence is correct.
I don't like him because he is too flattering or obsequious to any people that he thinks is useful.
I don't like him because he is too flattering or obsequious to any people that he thinks is useful.
Top answer
Greetings, they are similar, indeed, but describe somewhat different actions from somewhat different angles. One who is flattering (we may call him a flatterer) flatters by words ; being obsequious (=displaying obsequiousness) is never good; it is an excessive concern about the will of another which has always interest for its end . I would say that using flattery is only one way of being obsequious.
- Greetings, they are similar, indeed, but describe somewhat different actions from somewhat different angles.
- One who is flattering (we may call him a flatterer) flatters by words ; being obsequious (=displaying obsequiousness) is never good; it is an excessive concern about the will of another which has always interest for its end .
- I would say that using flattery is only one way of being obsequious.
- Neither of them are decidedly literal or elevated, both are current in spoken and written language.
- Pay attention to your sentence, though sun 94 I don't like him because he is obsequious to any people that he thinks are useful.
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1 Answers
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Greetings,
they are similar, indeed, but describe somewhat different actions from somewhat different angles. One who is flattering (we may call him a flatterer) flatters by words; being obsequious (=displaying obsequiousness) is never good; it is an excessive concern about the will of another which has always interest for its end. I would say that using flattery is only one
they are similar, indeed, but describe somewhat different actions from somewhat different angles. One who is flattering (we may call him a flatterer) flatters by words; being obsequious (=displaying obsequiousness) is never good; it is an excessive concern about the will of another which has always interest for its end. I would say that using flattery is only one
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