Definitions
- Used to describe something that is claimed or believed to be true, but there is no concrete evidence to support it. - Referring to something that is rumored or said to be the case, but its accuracy is uncertain. - Talking about something that is supposed to be true, but its validity is questionable.
- Used to describe something that is claimed to have happened or to be true, but there is no concrete evidence to support it. - Referring to something that is accused of happening, but its accuracy is uncertain. - Talking about something that is supposed to be true, but its validity is questionable.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words are used to describe something that is claimed or believed to be true, but there is no concrete evidence to support it.
- 2Both words are often used in legal or journalistic contexts.
- 3Both words imply that the accuracy of the claim is uncertain.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Purportedly is more commonly used to describe claims or beliefs, while allegedly is more commonly used to describe accusations or charges.
- 2Connotation: Purportedly has a neutral connotation, while allegedly can have a negative connotation, implying wrongdoing or illegality.
- 3Legal implications: Allegedly is often used in legal contexts to indicate that a person has been accused of a crime, while purportedly is not typically used in this way.
- 4Sources: Purportedly implies that the source of the claim is unknown or unreliable, while allegedly implies that the source of the accusation is known but unproven.
- 5Frequency: Allegedly is more commonly used than purportedly in everyday language.
Remember this!
Purportedly and allegedly are synonyms that are used to describe something that is claimed or believed to be true, but there is no concrete evidence to support it. However, they differ in their usage, connotation, legal implications, sources, and frequency of use.
