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M. Hus Posted 22 years ago
Vocabulary
Historic vs. historical
Are adjectives historic and historical interchangable and do they have the same meaning?
According to the dictonaries, their meaning is very close and sometimes overlaps, but is not entirely the same. My English teacher also says there exists a difference, but does not know how to explain it.
Could somebody - a native speaker, perhaps? - explain to me the difference and give some examples of their usage? Thanks.
According to the dictonaries, their meaning is very close and sometimes overlaps, but is not entirely the same. My English teacher also says there exists a difference, but does not know how to explain it.
Could somebody - a native speaker, perhaps? - explain to me the difference and give some examples of their usage? Thanks.
Top answer
I'm no native speaker, but I'd give it a shot. This is how I use the words: This is a truly historic event. ) Can you give me the historical background on this?
- I'm no native speaker, but I'd give it a shot.
- This is how I use the words: This is a truly historic event.
- ) Can you give me the historical background on this?
- (not "historic")
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37 Answers
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I'm no native speaker, but I'd give it a shot.
This is how I use the words:
This is a truly historic event. (I've also come across "historical event".)
Can you give me the historical background on this? (not "historic")
This is how I use the words:
This is a truly historic event. (I've also come across "historical event".)
Can you give me the historical background on this? (not "historic")
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Historical : About or related to history. Doesn't need to carry any important or memorable connotation.
ex: I don't want to go to a movie that is full of historical events.
- She loves historical novels.
- There are many historical documents in Washington DC's libraries.
Historic : having a historical significance; marking a memorable event.
ex: I want to see a movi
ex: I don't want to go to a movie that is full of historical events.
- She loves historical novels.
- There are many historical documents in Washington DC's libraries.
Historic : having a historical significance; marking a memorable event.
ex: I want to see a movi
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historic-------->famous, important, extraordary and epoch-making.......
historical------>factual, documented, chronicle, confirmed.......
historical------>factual, documented, chronicle, confirmed.......
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The meaning of “historic” has been narrowed down to “famous in history.” One should not call a building, site, district, or event “historical.” Sites may be of historical interest if historians are interested in them, but not just because they are old. In America “historic” is grossly overused as a synonym for “older than my father” s day."
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One should not call a building, site, district, or event “historical.”
I would not go so far, Floral.
A 'historical district' could be a district that no longer exists; for instance the three
parts of ancient Gaul.
'Do you mean "Waterloo", London station, or "Waterloo," historical event?'
'Camelot is not a historical site.'
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Hello Julielai
Gaul was an ancient region of Europe, consisting of what is now France, northern
Italy, Belgium, parts of Germany, and the southern Netherlands. It was divided into
two provinces by the Romans (Cisalpine and Transalpine Gaul).
Julius Caesar wrote a book about his conquest of the latter. It's often the first real
Latin text schoolboys encounter, an
Gaul was an ancient region of Europe, consisting of what is now France, northern
Italy, Belgium, parts of Germany, and the southern Netherlands. It was divided into
two provinces by the Romans (Cisalpine and Transalpine Gaul).
Julius Caesar wrote a book about his conquest of the latter. It's often the first real
Latin text schoolboys encounter, an
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historic - historical
`historic'
You use historic to say that something was important in history, or that it will be regarded as important in the future.
...their historic struggle for emancipation.
...a historic decision.
`historical'
You use historical to say that someone or something really existed or happened in the past, rather than being inve
`historic'
You use historic to say that something was important in history, or that it will be regarded as important in the future.
...their historic struggle for emancipation.
...a historic decision.
`historical'
You use historical to say that someone or something really existed or happened in the past, rather than being inve
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