Definitions
- Describing a conversation or thought process that goes off-topic but remains related to the original subject. - Referring to a tendency to digress or wander in speech or writing without losing the main point. - Talking about a situation where someone goes on a tangent but eventually returns to the main topic.
- Referring to a conversation or thought process that goes off-topic and does not remain related to the original subject. - Describing a tendency to digress or wander in speech or writing and lose the main point. - Talking about a situation where someone goes on a tangent and never returns to the main topic.
List of Similarities
- 1Both involve going off-topic in conversation or thought processes.
- 2Both can make it difficult to follow the main point.
- 3Both can involve digressing or wandering in speech or writing.
What is the difference?
- 1Relevance: Tangentiality remains related to the original subject while derailment does not.
- 2Severity: Derailment is more severe than tangentiality as it completely loses the main point.
- 3Return: Tangentiality eventually returns to the main topic while derailment does not.
- 4Connotation: Tangentiality can be seen as a minor distraction while derailment is a significant disruption.
- 5Usage: Tangentiality is more commonly used in psychology and counseling while derailment is more commonly used in everyday language.
Remember this!
Tangentiality and derailment both refer to going off-topic in conversation or thought processes. However, tangentiality remains related to the original subject and eventually returns to the main topic, while derailment does not and completely loses the main point. Tangentiality is a minor distraction, while derailment is a significant disruption.
