Definitions
- Referring to something that is not essential but may still be useful or desirable. - Describing something that is not required but can still have a positive impact. - Talking about something that is optional or discretionary but may still be worth considering.
- Referring to something that is not needed or required. - Describing something that is redundant or superfluous. - Talking about something that is excessive or wasteful.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe something that is not essential or required.
- 2Both words can refer to something that is optional or discretionary.
- 3Both words can be used to suggest that something is excessive or wasteful.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Nonnecessary is less common than unnecessary and may sound awkward in some contexts.
- 2Connotation: Nonnecessary has a more positive connotation, suggesting that something may still be useful or desirable, while unnecessary has a more negative connotation, suggesting that something is wasteful or redundant.
- 3Degree: Unnecessary suggests a stronger sense of not being needed or required than nonnecessary, which implies that something may still have some value or benefit.
- 4Formality: Unnecessary is more commonly used in formal writing and speech, while nonnecessary is more casual and informal.
- 5Prefix: Non- in nonnecessary means 'not', while un- in unnecessary means 'not' or 'opposite of'.
Remember this!
Nonnecessary and unnecessary are synonyms that describe something that is not essential or required. However, nonnecessary suggests that something may still have some value or benefit, while unnecessary implies that something is wasteful or redundant. Nonnecessary is less common and more casual than unnecessary, which is more formal and versatile.
