Grammar help please?

Question

Hi,Could you please teach me how to distinguish these three words in the right place? As they all an adjective.A electric/electrical/electronicdevice, good, game, keyboard, equipment, component, toys, bill, car..etcThanks

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

John AkiCould you please teach me how to distinguish these three words in the right place?

These are a matter of learning the usual associations of words.

'electric' and 'electrical' are sometimes interchangeable, but on average, 'electric' is used for devices, and 'electrical' is used for the equipment and materials associated with working with electricity or for the phenomena of electricity.

'electric' devices are usually those that plug in, while 'electronic' devices are usually those that operate with batteries.

There are exceptions to these very general observations. Your best chance of learning them is to follow the patterns in the lists below.

Examples:

electric car, electric vehicle, electric light, electric appliance, electric mixer, electric guitar, electric stove, electric blanket, electric pressure cooker, electric wheel chair, electric garage door opener, electric motor, electric power, electric utility, electric bill, electric shock, electric shock therapy (psychiatric), electric field (term of physics)

electrical equipment, electrical cord, electrical tape, electrical wire, electrical wiring, electrical outlet, electrical bursts, electrical impulses, electrical hookup, electrical system, electrical businesses, electrical risks, electrical signals, electrical short-circuit, electrical engineering, electrical conductivity, electrical fault, electrical charge, electrical issues, electrical effect

electronic device, electronic media, electronic clock, electronic products, electronic sign, electronic circuit board, electronic surveillance, electronic camera, electronic data, electronic games, electronic waste, electronic equipment, electronic health records, electronic medical records, electronic payment system, electronic sensors, electronic tracking, electronic spying, electronic component, electronic payment, electronic monitor, electronic services, electronic tag, electronic musical instrument, electronic books, electronic calculator

CJ

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