Reliable vs. Dependable | Q&A about words

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#190417 - 04/13/10 05:22 AM Reliable vs. Dependable
tcolling stranger Registered: 06/14/05 Posts: 5	Reliable vs. Dependable... is there any difference?
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#190418 - 04/13/10 07:20 AM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: tcolling]
Faldage Carpal Tunnel Registered: 12/01/00 Posts: 13803	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.
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#190420 - 04/13/10 08:27 AM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: Faldage]
Buffalo Shrdlu Carpal Tunnel Registered: 06/24/02 Posts: 7210 Loc: 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...
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#190424 - 04/13/10 01:36 PM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: Buffalo Shrdlu]
twosleepy old hand Registered: 02/28/08 Posts: 876 Loc: 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.
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#190624 - 04/19/10 10:09 PM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: tcolling]
Jackie Carpal Tunnel Registered: 03/15/00 Posts: 11613 Loc: 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.
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#199608 - 05/03/11 06:20 PM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: Jackie]
Miranda stranger Registered: 05/03/11 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.
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#199609 - 05/03/11 07:35 PM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: Miranda]
LukeJavan8 Carpal Tunnel Registered: 06/23/08 Posts: 8429 Loc: Land of the Flat Water	WELCOME TO THE 'COOL' SITE, MIRANDA _________________________ ----please, draw me a sheep----
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#199613 - 05/03/11 10:22 PM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: Miranda]
Jackie Carpal Tunnel Registered: 03/15/00 Posts: 11613 Loc: Louisville, Kentucky	Why, thank you, Miranda. Welcome aBoard, and I hope you stick around a while!
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#199617 - 05/04/11 09:03 AM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: tcolling]
Candy Pooh-Bah Registered: 09/21/10 Posts: 1706 Loc: down under	Originally Posted By: tcolling Reliable vs. Dependable... is there any difference? They are spelt differently
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#199620 - 05/04/11 10:43 AM Re: Reliable vs. Dependable [Re: Candy]
LukeJavan8 Carpal Tunnel Registered: 06/23/08 Posts: 8429 Loc: 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----
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