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Tania77maria Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

Wear vs wear and tear

Are there any differences?

wear and tear is a noun

wear is a noun and a verb

Can I use them in any context and interchangeably? (I mean when functioning as nouns)

ex: The car wheels suffered a lot of wear and tear

The car wheels suffered a lot of wear

By the way,I do not know if "suffer" is a correct verb in this sentence. I mean "experience".

Thank you
  

Top answer

They are similar, but "wear" tends to refer more specifically to the abrading of a material or surface. "wear and tear" feels more general and refers to a variety of types of damage or deterioration that occur through use. There are idiomatic differences too.

— Mr Wordy

  • They are similar, but "wear" tends to refer more specifically to the abrading of a material or surface.
  • "wear and tear" feels more general and refers to a variety of types of damage or deterioration that occur through use.
  • There are idiomatic differences too.
  • For example, you might say "I didn't get a lot of wear out of these shoes", but you would not use "wear and tear" in that sentence.
  • tania77maria ex: The car wheels suffered a lot of wear and tear The car wheels suffered a lot of wear I assume you mean car tyres .
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2 Answers
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They are similar, but "wear" tends to refer more specifically to the abrading of a material or surface. "wear and tear" feels more general and refers to a variety of types of damage or deterioration that occur through use. There are idiomatic differences too. For example, you might say "I didn't get a lot of wear out of these shoes", but you would not use "wear and tear" in that sentence.
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thank you for your help.
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