rishonly  +  187016 Sun, 22 Jan 06 03:52 AM What is the difference between 'finite' and 'definite'? Can they be used interchangeably? rishonly Joined on Sat, Mar 5 2005 KUMBAKONAM,INDIA Contributing Member 1,782 Regards, Krishna Difference Between

	Mister Micawber  +  187026 Sun, 22 Jan 06 04:43 AM Finite  = limited in number or magnitude. Definite  = specific, explicit, certain. I would have to see specific context to judge their interchangeability there. Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member 30,802 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

	Swiss Jake  +  187028 Sun, 22 Jan 06 04:51 AM dictionary.com finite: Having bounds; limited: a finite list of choices; our finite fossil fuel reserves. Existing, persisting, or enduring for a limited time only; impermanent. Mathematics. Being neither infinite nor infinitesimal. Having a positive or negative numerical value; not zero. Possible to reach or exceed by counting. Used of a number. Having a limited number of elements. Used of a set. Grammar. Of or relating to any of the forms of a verb that can occur on their own in a main clause and that can formally express distinctions in person, number, tense, mood, and voice, often by means of conjugation, as the verb sees in She sees the sign. definite: Having distinct limits: definite restrictions on the sale of alcohol. Indisputable; certain: a definite victory. Clearly defined; explicitly precise: a definite statement of the terms of the will. Grammar. Limiting or particularizing. Botany.            a) Of a specified number not exceeding 20, as certain floral organs, especially stamens.           b) Cymose; determinate. I hope it helps! Jake Swiss Jake Joined on Fri, Dec 30 2005 Full Member 196 Please, correct my mistakes in my posts. Thank you! "The only real mistake is the one from which you learn nothing." -- John Powell Grammar, Verbs, Tenses, Clauses, Negatives

	rishonly  +  187030 Sun, 22 Jan 06 04:58 AM Thanks MM. A teacher says to a student: (1) "I need a finite answer" (2) "I need a definite answer". rishonly

	paco2004  +  187031 Sun, 22 Jan 06 05:01 AM  Rishonly wrote: What is the difference between 'finite' and 'definite'? Can they be used interchangeably? Hello Krish Your question is interesting. Actually, "finite" and "definite" both mean "fixed" or "limited", although they are used differently in English grammar. "Finite" comes from Latin "finitus", which is the past participle of the verb "finire" (to put an end). "Definite" comes from Latin "definitus", which is the past participle of the verb"definire" (to end, to terminate, to define).  Please remind that the Latin prefix "de-" is used in various ways. Here "de-" is used as a verbal prefix to give a notion of completeness to the original verb. It is somewhat similar to English adverb "away" or "up". The pairs of "declare"/"clear", "declaim"/"claim", "denude"/"nude", "depart"/"part" are  cousins of the pair "define"/"finish". paco paco2004 Joined on Wed, Nov 17 2004 Senior Member 4,095 In Japan today even dogs are learning how to bow-wow in English. Grammar, Verbs, Difference Between, Adverbs, English Grammar

	Mister Micawber  +  187032 Sun, 22 Jan 06 05:07 AM (1) "I need a finite answer" -- odd; I cannot think of an appropriate situation (2) "I need a definite answer"-- the teacher wants a specific answer, not a vague one or continued waffling. Mister Micawber

	rishonly  +  187033 Sun, 22 Jan 06 05:09 AM Thanks for your insights, Paco2004. You mentioned "The pairs....are cousins of the pair "define/finish". Do you mean "definite/finite"? rishonly

	paco2004  +  187042 Sun, 22 Jan 06 06:00 AM I talked about the Latin verbal prefix "de-". English verb "define" comes from Latin verb "definir" and English verb "finish" comes from Old French verb form "feniss-" that had its origin in Latin verb "finir". So, we may say define/finish was a pair in Latin. paco paco2004 Verbs

	rishonly  +  187043 Sun, 22 Jan 06 06:01 AM Got it;thanks again, Paco2004. rishonly