Economic and Economical
Prefixes and Suffixes Index
Economic and Economical :
How to use the suffix : -al?
Economic/economical is similarly difficult. If we are talking about the economic situation or the economic outlook of a country, i.e. where we are discussing the economy, then the adjectival suffix -ic is preferred:
The economic outlook in this country is now bleaker than at any time in the last ten years.
However, if we are talking about making personal economies and saving money, we tend to use economical. Economical also means using the minimum amount of time or energy. Study the following:
This car is not very economical. It only does 15 miles to the gallon.
Storage heaters are extremely economical because they run on night-time electicity.
Politicians are invariably economical with the truth.
We wanted to make the most economical use of our time as we had only half a day there.
Other adjectival suffixes are much more clear-cut. If we are discussing science and technology, there is no choice: the adjectival forms are quite clearly scientific and technological:
Scientific investigation revealed that the dinosaur footprints were from the Cretaceous period.
Japan is one of the most technologically advanced nations.
Examples :
Although he came from Genoa in Italy, Christopher Columbus is often thought of as a famous Spanish explorer.
To be left by the roadside bleeding to death is a horrific way to die.
Many people believe that a diet rich in vitamins is very healthy.
It was such an expensive present that I was too embarrassed to accept it.
It is no longer fashionable to wear high platform heels.
I am hopeful that she will leave hospital next week.
We went to see an excellent photographic exhibition last week.
Everybody was wearing national dress at the parade.
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