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> and both of them apparently work. I would have said they both appear to work. Recent findings cast doubt on that appearance (PDF warning): http://alphachoic

• Dylan16807 13y ago
  Honest question, what's the difference between 'appear' and 'apparently' to you? As far as I use the words, one of their meanings is identical.
  • lutusp 13y ago
    > Honest question, what's the difference between 'appear' and 'apparently' to you? They have similar etymologies, but their current meanings are diverging. An apparent difference may not be visual -- at least, not to the degree that an examination of the word's history would lead one to believe. An appearance of difference still is primarily visual. And yes -- this is to some degree splitting hairs.
    • Dylan16807 13y ago
      Interesting. I don't focus on visuals at all when I say 'appear'. Well, certainly not more than with 'apparent' or other similar words.
      • lutusp 13y ago
        You know, this might just be my personal reading of these words. When I hear "apparent" I don't necessarily think of its connection with the visual, I think "evident", in spite of the etymological connection with the visual Latin root. But to me, "appear" cries out for a visual interpretation, much more so than for "apparent". Again, I think this may be splitting hairs -- I might be making too much of this. "Apparent" in a thesaurus: http://thesaurus.com/browse/apparent http://thesaurus.com/browse/apparent "appear" in a thesaurus: http://thesaurus.com/browse/appear http://thesaurus.com/browse/appear Quite a difference.