motorist / used

[Anonymous]

Can the word "motorist" replace "driver" ?

- The car skidded off the road because the motorist lost control of the car.


2) Can "used" replace "second-hand" :?

I am going to sell my used books (or second-hand ones) ^?

Thank You.

 

[dduck]

I think both of your example sentences are good.

Perhaps, driver is less formal than motorist.

Iain

 

[RonBee]

Can the word "motorist" replace "driver" ?

- The car skidded off the road because the motorist lost control of the car.

That would be unusual, but, yes, you can. In AE we would be more likely to use "motorist" when speaking in general terms, for example: "There are going to be a large number of motorists on the highways this weekend."

2) Can "used" replace "second-hand" :?

I am going to sell my used books (or second-hand ones) ^?

Not exactly. For one thing, you can have second hand clothes, but you can't have second hand books. Also, while you can have used books, used clothes would, I think, be an unusual usage.

(A synonym for second-hand clothes is hand-me-downs.)

 

[RonBee]

In AE we would invariably say the driver lost control of the car.

 

[dduck]

Not exactly. For one thing, you can have second hand clothes, but you can't have second hand books. Also, while you can have used books, used clothes would, I think, be an unusual usage.

(A synonym for second-hand clothes is hand-me-downs.)

I would use 'second hand book' without a thought. Also, to me, hand-me-downs are clothes that are reused within a family. My brother had to wear my hand-me-downs. However, if you buy clothes from a charity shop they aren't hand-me-downs - they're just used clothes.

Iain

 

[RonBee]

My brother had to wear my hand-me-downs. However, if you buy clothes from a charity shop they aren't hand-me-downs - they're just used clothes.

That is true.