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Jadarite Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Humanely vs. Humanly
I thought someone left out the "e" in "humanely", but when I checked m-w.com, I got:
"1 a: with regard to http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human needs and emotions <provide humanly for those who are not needed in the economy — E. F. Bacon>"
In the sentence, "We treat our prisoners humanely.", can we also say, "We treat our prisoners humanly.", using the definition above?
"1 a: with regard to http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human needs and emotions <provide humanly for those who are not needed in the economy — E. F. Bacon>"
In the sentence, "We treat our prisoners humanely.", can we also say, "We treat our prisoners humanly.", using the definition above?
Top answer
I am familiar with "humanly" as being within human abilities - We did everything humanly possible to finish the project by the deadline. I am not familiar with its use as a synonym to humanely. To me they are different words and concepts.
- I am familiar with "humanly" as being within human abilities - We did everything humanly possible to finish the project by the deadline.
- I am not familiar with its use as a synonym to humanely.
- To me they are different words and concepts.
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4 Answers
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I am familiar with "humanly" as being within human abilities - We did everything humanly possible to finish the project by the deadline.
I am not familiar with its use as a synonym to humanely. To me they are different words and concepts.
I am not familiar with its use as a synonym to humanely. To me they are different words and concepts.
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humanly means with human ability, as in "The work was done as quickly as humanly possible".
humanely means with human compassion or sympathy, as in "We treated our prisoners humanely".
Chris
humanely means with human compassion or sympathy, as in "We treated our prisoners humanely".
Chris
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I too am surprised by the MW definition 1 a: of "humanly." I'm sure I'd never use it - at least not until a lot more of us are "not needed in the economy."
00
Today I saw someone give an extra pair of gloves to a coworker that was without any. I would say that was humanly of them not humanely .
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