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Christanford Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary
Officiate/preside
Hi!
I am having some trouble with 'officiate' and 'preside'.
Can they be used interchangeably?
Can I, for example, 'officiate at a meeting' and 'preside at sb's wedding'?
Can I say use 'officiate at' with something less officlal, such as
"I officiated at the Oscar this year"
to mean that I was the host at the Oscar this year?
Thanks in advance!
I am having some trouble with 'officiate' and 'preside'.
Can they be used interchangeably?
Can I, for example, 'officiate at a meeting' and 'preside at sb's wedding'?
Can I say use 'officiate at' with something less officlal, such as
"I officiated at the Oscar this year"
to mean that I was the host at the Oscar this year?
Thanks in advance!
Top answer
Strictly speaking, only a president can 'preside', while other officials 'officiate'. Since the meanings are similar, I would suggest that you stick to that difference. For other than formal meetings or gatherings, both terms seem odd to me unless used jocularly.
- Strictly speaking, only a president can 'preside', while other officials 'officiate'.
- Since the meanings are similar, I would suggest that you stick to that difference.
- For other than formal meetings or gatherings, both terms seem odd to me unless used jocularly.
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2 Answers
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Strictly speaking, only a president can 'preside', while other officials 'officiate'. Since the meanings are similar, I would suggest that you stick to that difference. For other than formal meetings or gatherings, both terms seem odd to me unless used jocularly.
Strictly speaking, only a president can 'preside', while other officials 'officiate'. Since the meanings are similar, I would suggest that you stick to that difference. For other than formal meetings or gatherings, both terms seem odd to me unless used jocularly.
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