precious or valuable diamond

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Anonymous

#510526 Tue, 06 May 08 08:28 PM

Hi,

When something is worth a lot of money, are the two words interchangeable when they express the idea?

This diamond is extremely valuable/ precious.

If 'valuable' and 'precious' are fine here, what is the difference between them?

Thanks.

Anonymous

Difference between

GrammarGuy

#510529 Tue, 06 May 08 08:48 PM

"precious" is a stronger modifier, and in your example can mean "extremely valuable."

In The Lord of the Rings, the One Ring was valuable to Frodo but "precious" to Gollum.

GrammarGuy

Joined on Tue, May 6 2008

Southern California

New Member (07)

Anonymous

#510541 Tue, 06 May 08 09:24 PM

Hi GrammarGuy,

Thank you for your answer. Do you mean 'the diamond is precious' mean the same as 'the diamond is extremely valuable'?
Does 'precious' mean to be worth much more money than 'valuable' in market value?

In The Lord of the Rings, the One Ring was valuable to Frodo but "precious" to Gollum.

Could you please explain the meaning above?

Thanks.

Anonymous

GrammarGuy

#510547 Tue, 06 May 08 09:53 PM

Unless you've read the book or seen the movie, the Lord of the Rings reference won't help. Gollum wanted the ring more than Frodo, and called the ring his "precious." It was extremely valuable to him.

A precious diamond is extremely valuable or extremely rare.

An expensive car might be considered valuable.

An inexpensive heirloom might be considered precious (for its extreme emotional value).

GrammarGuy

Anonymous

#510900 Wed, 07 May 08 05:55 PM

Thank you very much, GrammarGuy.

Can I say 'The diamond is valuable'?

Anonymous