student asking question

Are "circumstance" and "situation" different? How?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

A "circumstance" is the way that something happened or the things that affect a particular fact or event. Ex: What are the circumstances of trespassing on private property? Ex: Due to the circumstances beyond our control, we have to postpone the meeting. The word "situation" is different from "circumstance". A "situation" is a state that someone is in or the way something is positioned given the surroundings. Ex: It's an awkward situation. Ex: The girl is in a dangerous situation.

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