Definitions
- Referring to the act of staying in one place until something happens or someone arrives. - Talking about a delay or pause in an activity or process. - Describing the expectation of something to happen or someone to arrive.
- Describing the act of staying in a place longer than necessary or expected. - Referring to the act of delaying leaving a place or situation. - Talking about the act of remaining in a place or situation, often due to reluctance or hesitation.
List of Similarities
- 1Both involve staying in one place or situation.
- 2Both imply a delay or pause in an activity or process.
- 3Both can be used to describe a sense of expectation or anticipation.
What is the difference?
- 1Duration: Linger implies a longer stay than wait.
- 2Purpose: Wait is purposeful and intentional, while linger may be more passive or reluctant.
- 3Connotation: Wait is neutral and can be used in various contexts, while linger may have a negative connotation of wasting time or being indecisive.
- 4Expectation: Wait implies a specific event or person to arrive, while linger may not have a clear reason for staying.
- 5Movement: Wait suggests staying in one place, while linger may involve moving around or staying in a particular area.
Remember this!
Wait and linger both refer to staying in one place or situation, but they differ in duration, purpose, connotation, expectation, and movement. Wait is purposeful and neutral, implying a specific event or person to arrive, while linger may be more passive or reluctant, suggesting a longer stay than necessary or expected.
