Hi, I'm from Poland and I'm a teacher of English. This question is addressed to all the native speakers of English on this forum. What is the difference between such words:
cling vs. clutch
giggle vs. chuckle
I know the previous two mean roughly 'to hold sth tightly' and the other two mean 'to laugh quitely' but what is the difference? I tried all the dictionaries of English I have access to but I was not able to find this info.
Thanks in advance
PS. I know it is not at all connected with Queen but, dear Queenzoners, you're my only hope ;)
"cluch is a firm grip and cling is a desperate grip, like it could come loose if your not careful."
I don't agree
clutch/cling both mean hold tight in a firm grip
but in addition
"cling" means
- to adhere to something (wet paper clings to glass)
- to stick together for a longer period of time
- to remain attached as to an idea, memory etc
"clutch" means
- to seize or snatch
- or to try to seize or grasp
I recommend the Webster's Dictionary for American usage and Oxford Dictionary for British usage.
As for the dictionaries, I have Webster, Oxford and Cambridge. All are very good ones but the problem with the words above is that both words in each pair have the same equivalent in Polish and this blurs the image. So it is often extremely useful to consult a native speaker - especially that the words cause controversy even among native speakers themselves as we have seen :) And you're the only native speakers I know :)
Anyway, thanks for your help. You've cleared my picture
Oh, that's just my question! I happened to see these words many times when I was reading English books for teens. Also I've seen 'giggle' and 'chuckle' in the biography of Queen before...THX!
hi again,
you were very helpful last time :)
therefore I decided to ask you for help once again. the question is: is there or isn't there any difference in meaning between these words:
'ring road' and 'bypass'
'dual carriageway' and 'motorway'
again I've looked them up in my dictionaries and they do not mention any difference. nevertheless, I've found some vocabulary exercises which treat them as separate semantic units, so I would be grateful for any feedback.
thanks
ring road - is what it says
a road that forms a circular route around a con-urbation, with exit routes all the way around - to allow access to local districts more directly without having to cut through the town - the M25 is perhaps the best and worst example
by-pass is just a road that passes by a location - usualy to speed up through-traffic
- the m6 toll road is a great example of one of these
dual carriageway and motorway are a little more difficult
both are two/three lane (in each direction) roads - the only main difference being the rules that apply - no learner drivers on motorway, no roundabouts to exit - exits are marked by junctions
dual carriageways also have parking stops periodically along the road, motorways do not allow stopping - you have to leave the mootorway to rest/stop
Brimon wrote: Dual carriageway has two lanes of traffic going in one direction and a motorway has three.
You beat me to it Brenski.
i take it you do drive Brimon?
because many motorways in this country have only TWO lanes
and the "dual" in dual-carriageway doesn't refer to the "number of lanes" it refers to the number of actual carriageways - as they are split in half by a central reservation - just like a motorway - but generally full of nice green stuff instead of the gravel, broken exhausts and shressed tyre-casings you find on a motorway central reservation