foundation, cornerstone, pillar difference
Civil engineering as a profession is centuries old and has long been necessary for the functioning of modern government. As long as people need to get to school or work, civil engineers will continue to be foundations of modern societies.
A) NO CHANGE
B) cornerstones
C) pillars
D) manipulators
Could someone help me choose the correct answer/understand why that answer makes sense? Considering the negative connotation of D, which contrasts with the positive depiction of civil engineers, we can just compare A, B, and C. However, aren't they all synonyms of each other? After a lengthy consideration (and use of dictionary), I thought C would be the best answer, but apparently, it is B. Could someone tell me why?
According to the Oxford dictionary, one of the definitions of "pillar" is a person or thing regarded as reliably providing essential support for something. That's what led me to choose C.
As for B, cornerstone, however, it is an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based.
(If I am right, A, "foundations", has more to do with principles, which is why I am not really considering it here.)
meaning word-choice vocabulary connotation
asked 6 hours ago
jjhhjjhh
1092
add a comment |
Civil engineering as a profession is centuries old and has long been necessary for the functioning of modern government. As long as people need to get to school or work, civil engineers will continue to be foundations of modern societies.
A) NO CHANGE
B) cornerstones
C) pillars
D) manipulators
Could someone help me choose the correct answer/understand why that answer makes sense? Considering the negative connotation of D, which contrasts with the positive depiction of civil engineers, we can just compare A, B, and C. However, aren't they all synonyms of each other? After a lengthy consideration (and use of dictionary), I thought C would be the best answer, but apparently, it is B. Could someone tell me why?
According to the Oxford dictionary, one of the definitions of "pillar" is a person or thing regarded as reliably providing essential support for something. That's what led me to choose C.
As for B, cornerstone, however, it is an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based.
(If I am right, A, "foundations", has more to do with principles, which is why I am not really considering it here.)
meaning word-choice vocabulary connotation
asked 6 hours ago
jjhhjjhh
1092
1
I agree with you. Of the three terms, "pillar" is the adjective most suited to describe an individual. However, it is usually used to denote a particular individual. e.g.. "Mayor Abercrombie is a pillar of our community." "Manipulators" actually fits best in this scenario,
– Oldbag
5 hours ago
1
I agree with the OP, cornerstones have their important place, but only in the beginning phases of a (metaphoric) construction. I agree with the poster that pillars should be the correct answer because they begin at the foundation and "continue" through the end of the metaphoric construction. This context is clear in the question. Foundations and cornerstone are both "foundational", Pillars are "continuing and supportive", Manipulators is "absurd".
– user22542
5 hours ago
Although, on second thought, some might argue that "cornerstones" provide continuing support for the pillars (the evolving construction). It is probably debatable.
– user22542
5 hours ago
A cornerstone in modern usage is a symbolic object cemented in place by a person of eminence. Laying the cornerstone is like cutting the ribbon or throwing the first pitch. Also, if someone is a “cornerstone”, who’s on the other three corners? IMHO, pillar is the least worst choice.
– Global Charm
13 mins ago
add a comment |
Civil engineering as a profession is centuries old and has long been necessary for the functioning of modern government. As long as people need to get to school or work, civil engineers will continue to be foundations of modern societies.
A) NO CHANGE
B) cornerstones
C) pillars
D) manipulators
Could someone help me choose the correct answer/understand why that answer makes sense? Considering the negative connotation of D, which contrasts with the positive depiction of civil engineers, we can just compare A, B, and C. However, aren't they all synonyms of each other? After a lengthy consideration (and use of dictionary), I thought C would be the best answer, but apparently, it is B. Could someone tell me why?
According to the Oxford dictionary, one of the definitions of "pillar" is a person or thing regarded as reliably providing essential support for something. That's what led me to choose C.
As for B, cornerstone, however, it is an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based.
(If I am right, A, "foundations", has more to do with principles, which is why I am not really considering it here.)
meaning word-choice vocabulary connotation
asked 6 hours ago
jjhhjjhh
1092
Civil engineering as a profession is centuries old and has long been necessary for the functioning of modern government. As long as people need to get to school or work, civil engineers will continue to be foundations of modern societies.
A) NO CHANGE
B) cornerstones
C) pillars
D) manipulators
Could someone help me choose the correct answer/understand why that answer makes sense? Considering the negative connotation of D, which contrasts with the positive depiction of civil engineers, we can just compare A, B, and C. However, aren't they all synonyms of each other? After a lengthy consideration (and use of dictionary), I thought C would be the best answer, but apparently, it is B. Could someone tell me why?
According to the Oxford dictionary, one of the definitions of "pillar" is a person or thing regarded as reliably providing essential support for something. That's what led me to choose C.
As for B, cornerstone, however, it is an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based.
(If I am right, A, "foundations", has more to do with principles, which is why I am not really considering it here.)
meaning word-choice vocabulary connotation
meaning word-choice vocabulary connotation
asked 6 hours ago
jjhhjjhh
1092
asked 6 hours ago
jjhhjjhh
1092
asked 6 hours ago
jjhhjjhh
1092
asked 6 hours ago
jjhhjjhh
1092
asked 6 hours ago
jjhhjjhh
1092
1092
1
I agree with you. Of the three terms, "pillar" is the adjective most suited to describe an individual. However, it is usually used to denote a particular individual. e.g.. "Mayor Abercrombie is a pillar of our community." "Manipulators" actually fits best in this scenario,
– Oldbag
5 hours ago
1
I agree with the OP, cornerstones have their important place, but only in the beginning phases of a (metaphoric) construction. I agree with the poster that pillars should be the correct answer because they begin at the foundation and "continue" through the end of the metaphoric construction. This context is clear in the question. Foundations and cornerstone are both "foundational", Pillars are "continuing and supportive", Manipulators is "absurd".
– user22542
5 hours ago
Although, on second thought, some might argue that "cornerstones" provide continuing support for the pillars (the evolving construction). It is probably debatable.
– user22542
5 hours ago
A cornerstone in modern usage is a symbolic object cemented in place by a person of eminence. Laying the cornerstone is like cutting the ribbon or throwing the first pitch. Also, if someone is a “cornerstone”, who’s on the other three corners? IMHO, pillar is the least worst choice.
– Global Charm
13 mins ago
add a comment |
1
I agree with you. Of the three terms, "pillar" is the adjective most suited to describe an individual. However, it is usually used to denote a particular individual. e.g.. "Mayor Abercrombie is a pillar of our community." "Manipulators" actually fits best in this scenario,
– Oldbag
5 hours ago
1
I agree with the OP, cornerstones have their important place, but only in the beginning phases of a (metaphoric) construction. I agree with the poster that pillars should be the correct answer because they begin at the foundation and "continue" through the end of the metaphoric construction. This context is clear in the question. Foundations and cornerstone are both "foundational", Pillars are "continuing and supportive", Manipulators is "absurd".
– user22542
5 hours ago
Although, on second thought, some might argue that "cornerstones" provide continuing support for the pillars (the evolving construction). It is probably debatable.
– user22542
5 hours ago
A cornerstone in modern usage is a symbolic object cemented in place by a person of eminence. Laying the cornerstone is like cutting the ribbon or throwing the first pitch. Also, if someone is a “cornerstone”, who’s on the other three corners? IMHO, pillar is the least worst choice.
– Global Charm
13 mins ago
1
1
I agree with you. Of the three terms, "pillar" is the adjective most suited to describe an individual. However, it is usually used to denote a particular individual. e.g.. "Mayor Abercrombie is a pillar of our community." "Manipulators" actually fits best in this scenario,
– Oldbag
5 hours ago
I agree with you. Of the three terms, "pillar" is the adjective most suited to describe an individual. However, it is usually used to denote a particular individual. e.g.. "Mayor Abercrombie is a pillar of our community." "Manipulators" actually fits best in this scenario,
– Oldbag
5 hours ago
1
1
I agree with the OP, cornerstones have their important place, but only in the beginning phases of a (metaphoric) construction. I agree with the poster that pillars should be the correct answer because they begin at the foundation and "continue" through the end of the metaphoric construction. This context is clear in the question. Foundations and cornerstone are both "foundational", Pillars are "continuing and supportive", Manipulators is "absurd".
– user22542
5 hours ago
I agree with the OP, cornerstones have their important place, but only in the beginning phases of a (metaphoric) construction. I agree with the poster that pillars should be the correct answer because they begin at the foundation and "continue" through the end of the metaphoric construction. This context is clear in the question. Foundations and cornerstone are both "foundational", Pillars are "continuing and supportive", Manipulators is "absurd".
– user22542
5 hours ago
Although, on second thought, some might argue that "cornerstones" provide continuing support for the pillars (the evolving construction). It is probably debatable.
– user22542
5 hours ago
Although, on second thought, some might argue that "cornerstones" provide continuing support for the pillars (the evolving construction). It is probably debatable.
– user22542
5 hours ago
A cornerstone in modern usage is a symbolic object cemented in place by a person of eminence. Laying the cornerstone is like cutting the ribbon or throwing the first pitch. Also, if someone is a “cornerstone”, who’s on the other three corners? IMHO, pillar is the least worst choice.
– Global Charm
13 mins ago
A cornerstone in modern usage is a symbolic object cemented in place by a person of eminence. Laying the cornerstone is like cutting the ribbon or throwing the first pitch. Also, if someone is a “cornerstone”, who’s on the other three corners? IMHO, pillar is the least worst choice.
– Global Charm
13 mins ago
add a comment |
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1
I agree with you. Of the three terms, "pillar" is the adjective most suited to describe an individual. However, it is usually used to denote a particular individual. e.g.. "Mayor Abercrombie is a pillar of our community." "Manipulators" actually fits best in this scenario,
– Oldbag
5 hours ago
1
I agree with the OP, cornerstones have their important place, but only in the beginning phases of a (metaphoric) construction. I agree with the poster that pillars should be the correct answer because they begin at the foundation and "continue" through the end of the metaphoric construction. This context is clear in the question. Foundations and cornerstone are both "foundational", Pillars are "continuing and supportive", Manipulators is "absurd".
– user22542
5 hours ago
Although, on second thought, some might argue that "cornerstones" provide continuing support for the pillars (the evolving construction). It is probably debatable.
– user22542
5 hours ago
A cornerstone in modern usage is a symbolic object cemented in place by a person of eminence. Laying the cornerstone is like cutting the ribbon or throwing the first pitch. Also, if someone is a “cornerstone”, who’s on the other three corners? IMHO, pillar is the least worst choice.
– Global Charm
13 mins ago