Both words are from Latin follow (meaning “completed”). Additional refers to something that accomplishes something else, while praise diverged to mean a comment “especially in the form of admiration, esteem, or approval,” such as when complimenting someone on their accomplishments or appearance.
Oh, English. You are an insidious creature.
If we could agree on that admiring comment (rest assured, it does), would we call it an add-on? Or a compliment?
the correct word is praiseBut additional Occasionally find ourselves in such contexts, making the confusion between the two words a problem worth our consideration.
So let’s take a look.
Both praise And additional ultimately derived from Latin follow, which means “to complete.” from additional took a rather direct route, importing medieval English from Latin supplementitself comes directly from follow. Praiseon the other hand, came to English from Medieval French through Italian and a spanish word meaning “polite” and “do what has to be done”, the spanish word that is a variation belong to follow.
additional use
The link between additional And follow visible in modern usage of additional and is therefore very helpful in remembering the territory that the word implies. An addition can be broadly understood as something that completes something else in some way. Sometimes it’s accomplished by improvement, such as in “a hat that elegantly complements a suit,” and sometimes it’s accomplished by satisfying a need, such as in “a full team of player”. It is also used in technical contexts, such as medicine, grammar, and mathematics. Additional is also a verb that means “to complete or enhance by providing something additional.”
praise usage
Praise is more common of pairs. Its etymological relationship with politeness is evident in its modern usage, where as a noun it usually refers to a comment saying something good about someone. or something, and as a verb it conveys the expression of such a comment. We compliment someone on something they’ve done—”What a beautiful drawing!”—by giving them a compliment: a statement of a beautiful drawing.
And that’s really the crux of it: additional nearing completion, and praise is about politeness, especially in the form of admiration, esteem, or approval.
Everything is so neat and tidy! How this pair seems to challenge the “devious creature” character of the English language! Except, um, we missed something. We hope it won’t be too devastating. Here goes: verb additional has an obsolete meaning synonymous with praise, and another outdated meaning of “to exchange formal courtesy.” And nouns additional There are also outdated meanings that are completely inappropriate (due to the modern functions of the word), including “the social quality of achievement” and “something added for decoration.” The only consolation we can offer in the face of such realities is this: English speakers had mostly accomplished all of this by the end of the 17th century.
The English language is indeed an insidious creature.
In short: If one thing additional (with another “e”), it complete that thing (e.g. shoes that complete your outfit or make it perfect). Additional comes from the Latin cho complete.
Categories: Usage Notes
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn
