indefinitely vs forever

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New2grammar  #496517  Fri, 04 Apr 08 01:00 PM

The goverment warned that it would not let the strike continue [indefinitely/forever]

Is there any difference between the two choices?

Thanks.

  
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Clive  #496524  Fri, 04 Apr 08 01:19 PM

Hi,

The goverment warned that it would not let the strike continue [indefinitely/forever]

Is there any difference between the two choices? Yes.

indefinitely - the idea is 'without any time limit being set'.

forever - the idea is 'until the end of time'.

Consider these two statements.Big Smile

My mother-in-law is coming to stay with me indefinitely. ie She hasn't told me the date she plans to leave.

My mother-in-law is staying with me forever. ie She will never leave.  

 

However, informally we sometimes use 'forever' to refer merely to something that seems like a very long time.

eg The movie was boring. It went on forever.

Best wishes, Clive

  
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New2grammar  #496585  Fri, 04 Apr 08 04:36 PM

LOL. Thanks Clive.

  
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