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I get confused by the meanings of soil and earth. Please read the sentence:
My father would take up a handful ofearth, smell it, and let it run through his fingers. "There is nothing on earth that smells so good," he used to say.
My question is:
Can I replace the italicized "earth" with "soil"?
They're synonyms: earth, soil and dirt, as distinguished from rock and sand; the softer part of the land. To someone who grew up in farmering country, soil can be more specfic, the ground as producing vegetation or as cultivated for its crops. soil - Definitions from Dictionary.com
Dear Cas,
Thank you very much for your explanation. Did you mean 'soil' works in this sentence?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.
Jiang
Quote:
Originally Posted by Casiopea
They're synonyms: earth, soil and dirt, as distinguished from rock and sand; the softer part of the land. To someone who grew up in farmering country, soil can be more specfic, the ground as producing vegetation or as cultivated for its crops. soil - Definitions from Dictionary.com
soil and earth 
Linear Mode
