Wordsmith Talk |
About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us | |||
You are not logged in. [Log In] Wordsmith.org Forums Q&A about words Reliable vs. Dependable Register Forums Calendar Active Threads Search Forum Help
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 5 1 2 3 4 5
#190417 - 04/13/10 09:22 AM Reliable vs. Dependable
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5 tcolling![]()
stranger![]()
stranger
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5 Reliable vs. Dependable... is there any difference?
#190418 - 04/13/10 11:20 AM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: tcolling]
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 Faldage![]()
Carpal Tunnel![]()
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 I think you'll find that while many people may agree that there is a difference, you'll find few agree on what that difference is.
#190420 - 04/13/10 12:27 PM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: Faldage]
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 Buffalo Shrdlu![]()
Carpal Tunnel![]()
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Vermont the distinction that I (usually) make is that reliable is more about machinery and dependable is more about people. but I often use reliable for people, too, but I don't often say machinery is dependable, though it could be, of course.
formerly known as etaoin...
#190424 - 04/13/10 05:36 PM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: Buffalo Shrdlu]
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 876 twosleepy![]()
old hand![]()
old hand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 876
western NY I see them as synonyms, just like rely and depend. The etymology is not similar, but to me they are equal. I would use either one for people, machinery, weather or whatever. I have a dependable vehicle and a reliable husband (usually...). Since they are the same to me, I can't say what the difference would be.
#190624 - 04/20/10 02:09 AM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: tcolling]
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 Jackie![]()
![]()
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Louisville, Kentucky To me, reliable is slightly "higher". That is, I would rather have a friend or a car that is reliable than dependable; I think reliable is a degree or two closer to certainty.
#199608 - 05/03/11 10:20 PM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: Jackie]
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1 Miranda![]()
stranger![]()
stranger
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1 @Jackie, I agree with you. Out of curiosity I searched for these words and found two things. This cool Wordsmith site, and that someone other than me feels there is a difference in these two words. I couldn't have explained them better, but I too feel that reliable is a step closer to certainty than dependable.
#199609 - 05/03/11 11:35 PM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: Miranda]
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,120 LukeJavan8![]()
Carpal Tunnel![]()
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,120
Land of the Flat Water WELCOME TO THE 'COOL' SITE, MIRANDA
----please, draw me a sheep----
#199613 - 05/04/11 02:22 AM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: Miranda]
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 Jackie![]()
![]()
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Louisville, Kentucky Why, thank you, Miranda. Welcome aBoard, and I hope you stick around a while!
#199617 - 05/04/11 01:03 PM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: tcolling]
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,706 Candy![]()
Pooh-Bah![]()
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,706
down under Originally Posted By: tcollingReliable vs. Dependable... is there any difference?
They are spelt differently
#199620 - 05/04/11 02:43 PM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: Candy]
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,120 LukeJavan8![]()
Carpal Tunnel![]()
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,120
Land of the Flat Water To me reliable means that they may not be in some cases,
dependable means 'you can count on it'. Perhaps just
six of one and half-dozen of another.
----please, draw me a sheep----
Page 1 of 5 1 2 3 4 5
Moderated by Jackie
Forum Statistics Forums16Topics13,881Posts224,661Members9,048 Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members Sammy87, Bentron2000, Santanu, DavidOrigami, RichEngle
9048 Registered Users
Who's Online Now 0 registered members (), 90 guests, and 1 spider. Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days) A C Bowden 26LukeJavan8 10SantaFeR 1
Top Posters(All Time) wwh 13,858Faldage 13,803Jackie 11,613tsuwm 10,538LukeJavan8 9,120wofahulicodoc 7,883Buffalo Shrdlu 7,210AnnaStrophic 6,511Wordwind 6,296of troy 5,400
Forum Rules · Mark All Read Contact Us · Wordsmith.org · Top