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Joined: Nov 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146
I've always thought that "proffer" is more definite that "offer" in some respects. It has always had a connotation of insistence about it for me. An explanatory scenario I have in mind was in a documentary about albatrosses mating/nesting somewhere. The male was said in the commentary to be "proffering" gifts to the female. And while he wasn't throwing them at her, he wasn't taking "no" for an answer, either.



The idiot also known as Capfka ...
Joined: Jan 2001
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addict
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addict
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Posts: 427
To my mind, "proffer" is only used for very well-defined items, such as objects or a well-wrapt-up argument or explanation. So you would proffer a solution (very definite), but you wouldn't proffer help (more general). Offer seems to be acceptable in either case.



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