Definitions
- Referring to the action of surrounding or enclosing something completely. - Describing the idea of including or covering a wide range of things or ideas. - Talking about the act of comprehensively understanding or grasping a concept or situation.
- Referring to the action of holding or having something within its boundaries. - Describing the idea of limiting or restricting something within a specific space or area. - Talking about the act of including or comprising something as part of a larger whole.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to the idea of including something within a larger entity.
- 2Both can be used to describe physical objects or abstract concepts.
- 3Both can be used to describe the extent or scope of something.
- 4Both can be used to describe the boundaries or limits of something.
- 5Both can be used in formal and informal contexts.
What is the difference?
- 1Extent: Encompass implies a wider range or more comprehensive coverage than contain.
- 2Action: Encompass emphasizes the idea of surrounding or enclosing something, while contain emphasizes the idea of holding or having something within its boundaries.
- 3Usage: Encompass is often used in a more abstract or figurative sense, while contain is more commonly used in a literal sense.
- 4Connotation: Encompass has a more positive connotation, suggesting completeness or inclusivity, while contain can have a neutral or negative connotation, suggesting restriction or limitation.
- 5Formality: Encompass is typically used in more formal contexts, while contain is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Remember this!
Encompass and contain are synonyms that both describe the idea of including something within a larger entity. However, the difference between them lies in their extent, action, usage, connotation, and formality. Encompass suggests a wider range or more comprehensive coverage, while contain emphasizes the idea of holding or having something within its boundaries. Encompass is often used in a more abstract or figurative sense, while contain is more commonly used in a literal sense. Encompass has a more positive connotation, while contain can have a neutral or negative connotation. Finally, encompass is typically used in more formal contexts, while contain is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
