Apt and adequate?

[lo2]

Hi there firstly

What is the difference between these two words? In my opinion in some sentences you can use both and get the same meaning of the sentence.

For instance, is there any difference between these to:

The explanation is apt.

The explanation is adequate.

 

[emsr2d2]

Hi there firstly

What is the difference between these two words? In my opinion in some sentences you can use both and get the same meaning of the sentence.

For instance, is there any difference between these to:

The explanation is apt.

The explanation is adequate.

They mean totally different things.

Apt = appropriate/suitable.
Adequate = just about enough/sufficient.

 

[lo2]

Ok so so what about this:

His behavior at the party was not at all apt.

He made an adequate number of Sandwiches, to keep any of his guests from starving.

Is this a correct use of these two words?

 

[emsr2d2]

Ok so so what about this:

His behavior at the party was not at all apt.

He made an adequate number of sandwiches, to keep any of his guests from starving.

Is this a correct use of these two words?

In your first example, we would be more likely to use "appropriate". In fact, I would say "His behaviour at the party was inappropriate".

 

[lo2]

Firstly thank you very much for helping!

Might I ask you then to give me an example of an use of the word apt?

 

[Tullia]

"The choice of word in that sentence was very apt."

Apt does mean appropriate, but in the sense of "fitting, well chosen, something well deserved" as opposed to socially appropriate.

In the instance of a villain in a story who likes to cage animals and be cruel to them, if he met his end by being eaten by dogs, that would be apt - it's somehow fitting and appropriate to the story that that is what happened.

"Beanpole" would be an apt nickname for someone who was very thin.

 

[lo2]

Ok thank you very much!