student asking question

What's "BCE"? How's it different from "BC"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"BCE" and another term "CE" usually refers to the "Common Era" hence the C and E. However the years are exactly the same as BC and AD. BCE is usually understood to mean "Before the Common Era" and CE to mean "Common Era,". While "BC" means "before Christ" and "AD means "Anno Domini" which means "in the year of our lord" The simplest reason for using BCE/CE as opposed to AD/BC is to avoid reference to Christianity as not all people are Christians and some may find it offensive to use. Ex: This happened in 1200BCE. = This happened in 1200BC.

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