Notice vs spot

Question

Are there any differences between "I noticed the error" and "I spotted the error"? Thanks in advance!

Hrsanei · Accepted Answer

Hi,
The former is more formal than the latter.
Hamid

Anonymous · Answer

choose
The postman , by Yehia Haqqi , .................first prize in 1986.
awarded was awarded is awarded

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous chooseThe postman , by Yehia Haqqi , .................first prize in 1986. awarded was awarded is awarded

1986 is in the past, isn't it? That should tell you which answer is impossible.

CJ

Voynich · Answer

Don't post an irrelevant question. CREATE A NEW THREAD.

Blue Jay · Answer

Sorry, I should have split that off into a new thread.

CalifJim · Answer

voynichAre there any differences between "I noticed the error" and "I spotted the error"? Thanks in advance!

By the way, I was also thinking that, though they are about the same in you examples, "spotted" can sometimes imply that you were purposely looking for something, while "noticed" can imply that you were not looking for it.

Jack just moved to a new town. He's been looking for a good restaurant, but he hasn't spotted one yet. [I'd say that "spot" is more appropriate than "notice".]
As I was getting into my car after finishing my shopping, I noticed a big scratch on the left side near the rear wheel. [I'd say that "notice" is more appropriate than "spot".]

CJ

Hrsanei · Answer

Those are very good examples, in your provided context, clearly one fits better than the other.
Thank you

Fivejedjon · Answer

CalifJimBy the way, I was also thinking that, though they are about the same in you examples, "spotted" can sometimes imply that you were purposely looking for something, while "noticed" can imply that you were not looking for it.

I am not convinced, though concede that I can't come up with anything better.

CalifJimJack just moved to a new town. He's been looking for a good restaurant, but he hasn't spotted one yet. [I'd say that "spot" is more appropriate than "notice".]

I agree.

CalifJimAs I was getting into my car after finishing my shopping, I noticed a big scratch on the left side near the rear wheel. [I'd say that "notice" is more appropriate than "spot".]

I am not so sure. I think that 'spotted' is just as likely there. That's just a personal feeling.

CalifJim · Answer

fivejedjonThat's just a personal feeling.

What a relief! All I know is that if I'm at a sporting event or concert, and I know that my friends Rob and Natalie are going to be there somewhere, I don't try to notice them in the crowd; I try to spot them there.

You may be right that it's asymmetric, though, because if I didn't know that they were going to be there, I might (inadvertently) notice them in the crowd (my definite preference), or I might (inadvertently?) spot them in the crowd (doesn't sound quite right to me). As you say, just a personal feeling.

In any case I definitely think that "try" doesn't go with "notice".

CJ

Fivejedjon · Answer

CalifJimIn any case I definitely think that "try" doesn't go with "notice".

I agree.

I tried to spot/~~notice~~ a flaw in your argument, but failed.
I spotted/noticed a flaw in your argument.

Notice vs spot

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