What is the difference between mandatory and compulsory? Are they synonyms? Can they be used interchangeably especially with regard to something you must do? Writing the essay is a mandatory task. Writing the essay is a compulsory task. Answer Compulsory (“Required; obligatory; mandatory”), mandatory (“Obligatory; required or commanded by authority”), and obligatory (“Imposing obligation, morally … Read more
My book explains that “Tidal waves are the result of an abrupt shift in the underwater movement of the Earth”. It seems to me that the words shift and movement have similar meanings in this sentence. Could you explain the differences of those words in this context? Thank you. Answer Shift means a change. It … Read more
Is there any serious difference between logoff, logout, signoff and signout? Websites seem to use the phrases interchangeably. Is this just a difference is style, or have they made a deliberate choice? Answer In the past when there were no computers, in office or in any secured place, people sign in by signing their signature … Read more
Is there any difference between using pretty, and quite, in the following sentences? I am pretty good at playing soccer. I am quite good at playing soccer. How are you? I am quite well. How are you? I am pretty well. The reason I am asking is that, in Italian, the translation of pretty, and … Read more
Is there any difference between someone being wealthy and someone being rich? For instance, is Bill Gates rich or wealthy? Or maybe he is both. I don’t get the subtle difference if any. Answer Wealthy and Rich are both synonymous in terms of money. Both mean "having a great deal of money and assets". So … Read more
I am looking for another word for deported person, or a short form of saying it. Answer The word is deportee but you don’t want to use that outside of a legal or political context, it’s very uncommon in casual conversation. Normally we just say “he/she was deported” rather than using a specific noun. AttributionSource … Read more
What is the difference between as and because? Which one of these sentences is correct? He stayed home from work as he was sick? He stayed home form work because he was sick? Which is correct? Are they both correct? Answer As is used to mean because, but it is also used when two events … Read more
When should I use “look”, “see”, and “watch”? I’m watching “Star Trek”. Have you seen “Star Trek”? Are the examples above correct? Answer Here are some simple rules that will help deciding which word to use: See is used as inactive word; you just see without any effort: you have visual impression: “I can see … Read more
Are the words distress, and stress interchangeable? I have heard them used in the same place, but are they the same? He was very (stressed/distressed) about his co-workers thoughts of his idea. Answer There are indeed some contexts where either word could be used, but they mean different things. In other words, the two words … Read more
I can say I’m ill or I’m sick. But what is the difference between the usage of these terms? I’ve heard that one can use sick for longer-term and ill for shorter-term, but is that really correct? How are these terms different for native speakers? Answer While those might mean the same for the laymen, … Read more
