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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Offended and Insulted
Hi! I'm not a native English speaker and I was thinking about the difference between INSULT and OFFEND. I came to an explanation myself, so I would be really thankful if someone could correct me if I'm wrong. So I guess that when we insult someone it's the word ( thing) we say (do) that is supposed to move that persons feelings (in a bad way). Being offended, therefore, is only about the bad feeling we feel when being insulted. I made it pretty complicated, but can someone tell me if I'm right? Thanks! (sorry for the mistakes!)
Top answer
I did not understand your explanation. Either way, I don't see much of a difference between the two. He was insulted/offended.
- I did not understand your explanation.
- Either way, I don't see much of a difference between the two.
- He was insulted/offended.
- He felt insulted/offended.
- The two are pretty much interchangeable, as far as I am concerned.
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7 Answers
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I did not understand your explanation.
Either way, I don't see much of a difference between the two. He was insulted/offended.
He felt insulted/offended.
The two are pretty much interchangeable, as far as I am concerned.
Either way, I don't see much of a difference between the two. He was insulted/offended.
He felt insulted/offended.
The two are pretty much interchangeable, as far as I am concerned.
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There's a fairly subtle difference, and I think the original poster was close to identifying it. To insult someone is deliberate. To offend someone depends not so much on the intention as on the result. If you say "You are an idiot," you have definitely insulted someone, no matter what their reaction is. If they take offense/feel offended, you have also offended them. But if they don't care a
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I may be wrong, but I have always associated insults with words. If I feel offended when words have not been used, I don't tend to think that I've been insulted.
For example, if someone I think of as a good friend fails to invite me to a special party that I thought I would be invited to, I may feel offended, but because no offensive words have been directed at me, I would not say that I
For example, if someone I think of as a good friend fails to invite me to a special party that I thought I would be invited to, I may feel offended, but because no offensive words have been directed at me, I would not say that I
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In the US, generally speaking, these mean the same thing, but with "offend" being a much milder version of "insult." For example:
"Your actions have offended my wife. You will remove your ill-mannered self immediately from our presence."
"You've insulted my wife. I demand satisfaction. My seconds shall contact yours to arrange time and place (for the duel)."
"Your actions have offended my wife. You will remove your ill-mannered self immediately from our presence."
"You've insulted my wife. I demand satisfaction. My seconds shall contact yours to arrange time and place (for the duel)."
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CalifJimFor example, if someone I think of as a good friend fails to invite me to a special party that I thought I would be invited to, I may feel offended, but because no offensive words have been directed at me, I would not say that I was insulted. Does that make sense?Yes, I agree that an insult requires words and offense doesn't.
Edited to add --
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Yes, that was my opinion but I couldn't think of way to express myself good. Thanks a lot!
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