Definitions
- Describing the act of providing knowledge or understanding to someone. - Referring to the process of gaining insight or understanding about a particular topic or situation. - Talking about the experience of being illuminated or enlightened spiritually or intellectually.
- Describing the act of making something clear or understandable to someone. - Referring to the process of breaking down complex information into simpler terms or concepts. - Talking about the act of giving reasons or justifications for a particular action or decision.
List of Similarities
- 1Both involve the act of providing knowledge or understanding.
- 2Both can be used to clarify or simplify complex information.
- 3Both can be used to describe the process of gaining insight or understanding.
- 4Both can be used as verbs to describe an action taken by someone.
What is the difference?
- 1Scope: Enlighten is often used to describe a broader or more profound understanding, while explain is more focused on specific details or concepts.
- 2Audience: Explain is often used when addressing someone who may not have prior knowledge or understanding of a topic, while enlighten can be used in a more general sense.
- 3Intention: Enlighten implies a desire to broaden one's perspective or understanding, while explain can be used to simply provide information or instructions.
- 4Connotation: Enlighten has a more positive and uplifting connotation, while explain can be neutral or even negative depending on the context.
- 5Usage: Explain is more commonly used in everyday language, while enlighten is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
Remember this!
Enlighten and explain are both verbs that describe the act of providing knowledge or understanding. However, enlighten is often used to describe a broader or more profound understanding, while explain is more focused on specific details or concepts. Additionally, enlighten has a more positive connotation and is less commonly used in everyday language.
