an English question
By dufresne
@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.
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
14 May 09
i would say yes.
limitations is just a bit more of a 'proper' form.
@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.