What is the difference between “surely” and “definitely” in this context?
Here is an FCE Part 1 Practice (Multiple choice):
There have been countless stories of dolphins appearing to co-operate
with humans. But a recent incident has convinced a group of lifeguards
that some dolphins were definitely attempting to help them - by
protecting them from a shark!
Why can surely not work in this structure?
Here are the Cambridge Dictionary's definitions:
surely
defnitely
meaning differences
edited May 2 '18 at 15:14
Ahmed
3,54711950
asked May 2 '18 at 13:27
george
373113
add a comment |
Here is an FCE Part 1 Practice (Multiple choice):
There have been countless stories of dolphins appearing to co-operate
with humans. But a recent incident has convinced a group of lifeguards
that some dolphins were definitely attempting to help them - by
protecting them from a shark!
Why can surely not work in this structure?
Here are the Cambridge Dictionary's definitions:
surely
defnitely
meaning differences
edited May 2 '18 at 15:14
Ahmed
3,54711950
asked May 2 '18 at 13:27
george
373113
add a comment |
Here is an FCE Part 1 Practice (Multiple choice):
There have been countless stories of dolphins appearing to co-operate
with humans. But a recent incident has convinced a group of lifeguards
that some dolphins were definitely attempting to help them - by
protecting them from a shark!
Why can surely not work in this structure?
Here are the Cambridge Dictionary's definitions:
surely
defnitely
meaning differences
edited May 2 '18 at 15:14
Ahmed
3,54711950
asked May 2 '18 at 13:27
george
373113
Here is an FCE Part 1 Practice (Multiple choice):
There have been countless stories of dolphins appearing to co-operate
with humans. But a recent incident has convinced a group of lifeguards
that some dolphins were definitely attempting to help them - by
protecting them from a shark!
Why can surely not work in this structure?
Here are the Cambridge Dictionary's definitions:
surely
defnitely
meaning differences
meaning differences
edited May 2 '18 at 15:14
Ahmed
3,54711950
asked May 2 '18 at 13:27
george
373113
edited May 2 '18 at 15:14
Ahmed
3,54711950
asked May 2 '18 at 13:27
george
373113
edited May 2 '18 at 15:14
Ahmed
3,54711950
edited May 2 '18 at 15:14
Ahmed
3,54711950
edited May 2 '18 at 15:14
Ahmed
3,54711950
3,54711950
asked May 2 '18 at 13:27
george
373113
asked May 2 '18 at 13:27
george
373113
asked May 2 '18 at 13:27
george
373113
373113
add a comment |
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
"Surely" can mean "with full success". However, "definitely" tends to mean "without a doubt".
EDIT: I hadn't seen that the words were made links. To further elaborate on my answer, I am going to try to stay within your given example's particular context:
By saying the dolphins were definitely attempting to help them, you are saying that there was no doubt whatsoever that the dolphins were there to help. Surely could perhaps gives off the same meaning. However, when I put it in the place of definitely, I tend to believe that the message is trying to be conveyed as they were successful in their attempt to help the life guards. I could be overreaching here, but think of it this way: If you replace surely with the word "successfully"-- which might sound weird-- you get a different meaning. Essentially, by using definitely, you are preventing the ambiguity that arises with other meanings of surely.
answered Jan 3 at 20:33
Allex Kramer
515
1
How is the 1st definition of surely from the OP's link different from without a doubt? Allex, the system has flagged your post as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. Can I suggest you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g. (1) quote the full definitions, (2) perhaps propose that surely has a degree of ambiguity because of its second meaning? For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
Jan 3 at 21:19
add a comment |
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1 Answer
1
active
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
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active
oldest
votes
"Surely" can mean "with full success". However, "definitely" tends to mean "without a doubt".
EDIT: I hadn't seen that the words were made links. To further elaborate on my answer, I am going to try to stay within your given example's particular context:
By saying the dolphins were definitely attempting to help them, you are saying that there was no doubt whatsoever that the dolphins were there to help. Surely could perhaps gives off the same meaning. However, when I put it in the place of definitely, I tend to believe that the message is trying to be conveyed as they were successful in their attempt to help the life guards. I could be overreaching here, but think of it this way: If you replace surely with the word "successfully"-- which might sound weird-- you get a different meaning. Essentially, by using definitely, you are preventing the ambiguity that arises with other meanings of surely.
answered Jan 3 at 20:33
Allex Kramer
515
1
How is the 1st definition of surely from the OP's link different from without a doubt? Allex, the system has flagged your post as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. Can I suggest you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g. (1) quote the full definitions, (2) perhaps propose that surely has a degree of ambiguity because of its second meaning? For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
Jan 3 at 21:19
add a comment |
"Surely" can mean "with full success". However, "definitely" tends to mean "without a doubt".
EDIT: I hadn't seen that the words were made links. To further elaborate on my answer, I am going to try to stay within your given example's particular context:
By saying the dolphins were definitely attempting to help them, you are saying that there was no doubt whatsoever that the dolphins were there to help. Surely could perhaps gives off the same meaning. However, when I put it in the place of definitely, I tend to believe that the message is trying to be conveyed as they were successful in their attempt to help the life guards. I could be overreaching here, but think of it this way: If you replace surely with the word "successfully"-- which might sound weird-- you get a different meaning. Essentially, by using definitely, you are preventing the ambiguity that arises with other meanings of surely.
answered Jan 3 at 20:33
Allex Kramer
515
1
How is the 1st definition of surely from the OP's link different from without a doubt? Allex, the system has flagged your post as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. Can I suggest you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g. (1) quote the full definitions, (2) perhaps propose that surely has a degree of ambiguity because of its second meaning? For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
Jan 3 at 21:19
add a comment |
"Surely" can mean "with full success". However, "definitely" tends to mean "without a doubt".
EDIT: I hadn't seen that the words were made links. To further elaborate on my answer, I am going to try to stay within your given example's particular context:
By saying the dolphins were definitely attempting to help them, you are saying that there was no doubt whatsoever that the dolphins were there to help. Surely could perhaps gives off the same meaning. However, when I put it in the place of definitely, I tend to believe that the message is trying to be conveyed as they were successful in their attempt to help the life guards. I could be overreaching here, but think of it this way: If you replace surely with the word "successfully"-- which might sound weird-- you get a different meaning. Essentially, by using definitely, you are preventing the ambiguity that arises with other meanings of surely.
answered Jan 3 at 20:33
Allex Kramer
515
"Surely" can mean "with full success". However, "definitely" tends to mean "without a doubt".
EDIT: I hadn't seen that the words were made links. To further elaborate on my answer, I am going to try to stay within your given example's particular context:
By saying the dolphins were definitely attempting to help them, you are saying that there was no doubt whatsoever that the dolphins were there to help. Surely could perhaps gives off the same meaning. However, when I put it in the place of definitely, I tend to believe that the message is trying to be conveyed as they were successful in their attempt to help the life guards. I could be overreaching here, but think of it this way: If you replace surely with the word "successfully"-- which might sound weird-- you get a different meaning. Essentially, by using definitely, you are preventing the ambiguity that arises with other meanings of surely.
answered Jan 3 at 20:33
Allex Kramer
515
edited 2 days ago
answered Jan 3 at 20:33
Allex Kramer
515
answered Jan 3 at 20:33
Allex Kramer
515
answered Jan 3 at 20:33
Allex Kramer
515
515
1
How is the 1st definition of surely from the OP's link different from without a doubt? Allex, the system has flagged your post as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. Can I suggest you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g. (1) quote the full definitions, (2) perhaps propose that surely has a degree of ambiguity because of its second meaning? For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
Jan 3 at 21:19
add a comment |
1
How is the 1st definition of surely from the OP's link different from without a doubt? Allex, the system has flagged your post as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. Can I suggest you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g. (1) quote the full definitions, (2) perhaps propose that surely has a degree of ambiguity because of its second meaning? For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
Jan 3 at 21:19
1
1
How is the 1st definition of surely from the OP's link different from without a doubt? Allex, the system has flagged your post as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. Can I suggest you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g. (1) quote the full definitions, (2) perhaps propose that surely has a degree of ambiguity because of its second meaning? For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
Jan 3 at 21:19
How is the 1st definition of surely from the OP's link different from without a doubt? Allex, the system has flagged your post as "low-quality because of its length and content." An answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. Can I suggest you edit your answer to provide more information - e.g. (1) quote the full definitions, (2) perhaps propose that surely has a degree of ambiguity because of its second meaning? For further guidance, see How to Answer and take the EL&U Tour :-)
– Chappo
Jan 3 at 21:19
add a comment |
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