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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Vocabulary
What is the difference between congenital, inborn, innate?
Dear teachers, my question is related to these three words:
1. congenital
2. inborn
3. innate
Do they all mean present from birth and can they be used interchangeably?
Thanks!
1. congenital
2. inborn
3. innate
Do they all mean present from birth and can they be used interchangeably?
Thanks!
Top answer
They have a roughly similar sense but are used in different situations. Congenital is typically used in a scientific medical context: It's a congenital condition. (Innate cannot be used here.
- They have a roughly similar sense but are used in different situations.
- Congenital is typically used in a scientific medical context: It's a congenital condition.
- (Innate cannot be used here.
- ) Inborn is typically used in less technical, genealogical contexts: It's an inborn trait passed from mother to son.
- (Congenital would not be used here.
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2 Answers
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They have a roughly similar sense but are used in different situations.
Congenital is typically used in a scientific medical context: It's a congenital condition. (Innate cannot be used here. Inborn is possible, but it doesn't sound scientific enough, and so it is less often used.)
Inborn is typically used in less technical, genealogical contexts: It's an inborn trait passed
Congenital is typically used in a scientific medical context: It's a congenital condition. (Innate cannot be used here. Inborn is possible, but it doesn't sound scientific enough, and so it is less often used.)
Inborn is typically used in less technical, genealogical contexts: It's an inborn trait passed
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