an English question

@dufresne (137)
China
May 13, 2009 8:50pm CST
In the sentence "Know the limitations as well as the possibilities of everything you do.", can I use "limits" to replace "limitations"? I mean, are they synonyms?
4 responses
@soulist (2985)
• United States
14 May 09
limits and limitations aren't exactly synonyms. But they do have some of the same meanings and you can use limits to replace limitations sometimes. In the sentence you have, it sounds like you would be able to replace the two.
1 person likes this
@dufresne (137)
• China
14 May 09
"Aren't exactly synonyms", can you kindly provide an example?
• United States
14 May 09
i would say yes. limitations is just a bit more of a 'proper' form.
@fwangaa (3057)
• China
14 May 09
no. limits will deep than limitations. you have hard to do things to get limits. but you are easily to get limitations. that's the difference about limitations and limits. often the sportor will use limits .and normal persons in the society use limitations.
@cannibal (650)
• India
14 May 09
Not really! Limitation essentially means shortcomings and is more related to quality. As in, something you do might not be that convincing. On the other hand, limit would be more related to quantity as to which will have a threshold value, even if you're actually capable to go beyond. In other words, limit would mean a restriction.