Are the words "condescending" and "patronizing" synonyms?
I don't understand if I can use "condescending" and "patronizing" interchangeably? Or is there any difference between them?
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Hello Ewan, You can use both of them in the same way and the meaning is quite similar yes. I would just point out that most of the time 'condescending' is used with a negative connotation meaning 'superior or arrogant' whereas 'patronising' is not commonly used in that way, on the contrary its meaning might be one of the 'supportive' somehow. Greetings and thanks for your question,
Both words are quite similar to each other and have similar meanings. However, condescending means to have an attitude of superiority when talking to someone or is just a person's overall attitude. You can think of that word as someone thinking that they are better than everyone. Patronizing means explaining or helping someone with a feeling of superiority. This word can also be used in a positive context but is less common.
Hi, so "condescending" and "patronizing" can be used interchangeably. They are both people feeling superior to another person and putting them down. I think "patronizing" means more that a person does not fully show that they are being mean and superior to another. For example is someone corrects you all the time they could be "patronizing". But the correcting could also be seen as "good". So in this way they could use something normal to then be superior to you. I think patronizing is just less obvious or could pass as "advice" or "correcting" or something similar that is not outright bad but people use it in a negative way.
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Both are same and the synonyms must be a sense of superiority and dominating attitude.
Hi both words are the samet
- FaFy FahCertified TEFL English teacher 3+ years experience
Yes they are synonyms of each other and can be used interchangeably. Other synonyms include dominating and bossy.
To condescend someone is different to patronize. Patronize is similar to belittling a person, where as condescending is more of a trickery.
condescending and patronizing are often used as synonyms but they can have slightly different shapes of meaning
Hi there ! Both words can be used interchangeably!
Yes these both are similar in meaning and can be used interchangeably......
It’s possible to use the words patronising and condescending interchangeably in some context because of their comparable meaning, while patronising is treating someone with false friendliness while having an attitude of superiority and condescending is demonstrating that others are beneath you.
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Not so genius, but this has worked with my Asian and Latino students: Substitute all "Th-" in words with a "D-", as it is an easier starting point e.g. instead of "The", ask them to say De(almost like a form of pidgin english: de boi VS the boy). Its a matter of throat to tongue, where sounds with "T" and "D" are easier to begin with and then you will gradually progress to the "Th-" sounds as the find confindence and comfort. You could always tell them to pretend they are blowing out candles on a birthday cake; and for the "Th" sound their tongue should gently touch their teeth, like in words like "Thin" or "This". Have them practice the not so elated soft "Th" sound-- its like their tongue is having a short siesta on their teeth! Such a mental jounery and lots of creativity will get you through a lot of pronounciation hurdles.
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The biggest challenge I faced while learning English was understanding and using different tenses correctly. It took time to get used to the various rules and exceptions.
