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MUSCOVITE Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary
periodic vs periodical
Hi,
Could somebody please comment on this (very confusable imho) pair?
Based on my COCA search:
(1) Native speakers normally say "periodic maintenance", "periodic testing", "periodic visits", "periodic elections" and so on?
Can I replace "periodic" by "periodical" in the above listed word combinations?
I have found only (!) one sample sentence with "periodical visits" in the corpus... is this usage the norm or an oddity? go figure...
(2) There is an entry named "periodic, adj" in my Longman.
On the other hand, there is no separate entry for "periodical, adj" there.
(It should be noted that the dictionary DOES "warn" the reader that
QUOTE
- periodic - also periodical -
UNQUOTE
)
Is there a (simple enough) rule for an English learner to tell word combinations where "periodic" (but not "periodical") can only be used from the ones where "periodical" (but not "periodic") is only possible?
(3) Finally, one simple "tech speak" question.
There is a device (time reference) generating "periodic ticks".
Should I say "periodic ticks"? or "periodical ticks"? or can I use either?
(4) Let's slightly generalize the topic.
The pair "periodic VS periodical" is just one of many similar "tricky" examples?
Could you please add yours to the list below?
(I am not asking for an exhaustive list of course...unless such a list already exists somewhere in the cyberspace ... and you can tell me the link :-)
A. ECONOMIC vs ECONOMICAL
B. CLASSIC vs CLASSICAL
C. PERIODIC vs PERIODICAL
... (your input please!)
mus-te
Could somebody please comment on this (very confusable imho) pair?
Based on my COCA search:
(1) Native speakers normally say "periodic maintenance", "periodic testing", "periodic visits", "periodic elections" and so on?
Can I replace "periodic" by "periodical" in the above listed word combinations?
I have found only (!) one sample sentence with "periodical visits" in the corpus... is this usage the norm or an oddity? go figure...
(2) There is an entry named "periodic, adj" in my Longman.
On the other hand, there is no separate entry for "periodical, adj" there.
(It should be noted that the dictionary DOES "warn" the reader that
QUOTE
- periodic - also periodical -
UNQUOTE
)
Is there a (simple enough) rule for an English learner to tell word combinations where "periodic" (but not "periodical") can only be used from the ones where "periodical" (but not "periodic") is only possible?
(3) Finally, one simple "tech speak" question.
There is a device (time reference) generating "periodic ticks".
Should I say "periodic ticks"? or "periodical ticks"? or can I use either?
(4) Let's slightly generalize the topic.
The pair "periodic VS periodical" is just one of many similar "tricky" examples?
Could you please add yours to the list below?
(I am not asking for an exhaustive list of course...unless such a list already exists somewhere in the cyberspace ... and you can tell me the link :-)
A. ECONOMIC vs ECONOMICAL
B. CLASSIC vs CLASSICAL
C. PERIODIC vs PERIODICAL
... (your input please!)
mus-te
Top answer
MUSCOVITE Is there a (simple enough) rule for an English learner to tell word combinations where "periodic" (but not "periodical") can only be used from the ones where "periodical" (but not "periodic") is only possible? If you always use 'periodic' for the adjective, you will always be correct. Could you please add yours to the list below?
- MUSCOVITE Is there a (simple enough) rule for an English learner to tell word combinations where "periodic" (but not "periodical") can only be used from the ones where "periodical" (but not "periodic") is only possible?
- If you always use 'periodic' for the adjective, you will always be correct.
- Could you please add yours to the list below?
- historic/historical.
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14 Answers
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MUSCOVITEIs there a (simple enough) rule for an English learner to tell word combinations where "periodic" (but not "periodical") can only be used from the ones where "periodical" (but not "periodic") is only possible?If you always use 'periodic' for the adjective, you will always be correct.
MUSCOVITEThe pair "periodic VS periodical"
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Periodical is usually used as a noun to describe newspapers, magazines, etc.
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fivejedjonIf you always use 'periodic' for the adjective, you will always be correct.Good rule! Thanks!
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MUSCOVITEA. ECONOMIC vs ECONOMICAL B. CLASSIC vs CLASSICAL C. PERIODIC vs PERIODICAL ... (your input please!)Your C does not fit into that class, since the two adjectives are essentially synonymous. The others ( A, B and 5jj's historic/historical) have different meanings.
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VorparPeriodical is usually used as a noun to describe newspapers, magazines, etc.I see. Thanks Vorpar!
In fact, I don't usually have problems using "periodical" as a noun... I have (always :-) had problems using "periodical" as an adjective...
If we check the most "respectful" dictionaries available through the OneLook interface for "period
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MUSCOVITEIf we check the most "respectful" dictionariesI think you mean 'respectable' or 'reputable'.
MUSCOVITECan I say, "to take periodic gulps of my tea" as well?Yes.
MUSCOVITEaccording to the rule formulated in the reply that just came from a career British teacherSorry, what rule i
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Mister MicawberSorry, what rule is that? I see none in this thread.I think Muscovite was referring to my "If you always use 'periodic' for the adjective, you will always be correct".
That was advice, not a rule.
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fivejedjon "If you always use 'periodic' for the adjective, you will always be correct"Ah, yes. I agree: it probably works well. I have saved a paper somewhere on '-ic' vs '-ical', but I can't find it at the moment. I'll post it or a link if I do.
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Mister MicawberI think you mean 'respectable' or 'reputable'.Yes! Yes!! It should have been "respectable dictionaries" of course. Thanks for the correction!
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Mister MicawberI'll post it or a link if I do.It would be very kind of you!
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