Do you ever find yourself wondering just what the difference is between conversate and converse? If so, then you’re in luck! In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the two words, their meanings, and how one differs from the other. We’ll also discuss how to correctly use each one in a sentence and provide a few examples. So, if you’re ready to learn more about conversate vs converse, let’s get started!
| Conversate | Converse |
|---|---|
| Verb, to converse or engage in conversation. | Verb, to talk or exchange ideas in an open and communicative way. |
Conversate Vs Converse: Comparison Chart
| Conversate | Converse |
|---|---|
| Verb | Verb |
| Meaning | Meaning |
| To engage in an informal conversation | To talk or exchange opinions in an informal way |
| Origin | Origin |
| Late 19th century | Late Middle English |
| Usage | Usage |
| Informal | Formal |
| Examples | Examples |
| Let’s conversate about the project. | Let’s converse about the project. |
Conversate vs. Converse: What’s the Difference?
The words conversate and converse are often confused, as they look and sound alike. They both have to do with communication, but are two separate words with two distinct meanings. In this article, we will look at the meaning of these two words and how to use them in sentences.
What is the Difference Between Conversate and Converse?
In this article, I will compare conversate vs. converse. I will use each of these words in at least one example sentence, so that you can see them in context.
Converse is a verb. It means to talk or communicate with someone.
Conversate is a nonstandard verb. It means to engage in conversation.
Origin of Conversate and Converse
Converse is a verb that has been around since the 13th century. It comes from the Middle English conversen, which itself comes from the Latin conversari, meaning “to live with, to associate with.”
Conversate is a nonstandard English verb. It is an alteration of the verb converse, and dates back to the early 20th century.
Examples of Conversate and Converse
Let’s look at a few examples of conversate and converse in sentences.
My friend and I spent the afternoon conversating.
My friend and I spent the afternoon conversing.
I love to converse with my friends about books and movies.
I love to conversate with my friends about books and movies.
Alternatives to Conversate
Since conversate is considered nonstandard, you should avoid using it in any formal writing. Instead, use converse or one of the following alternatives:
- Chat
- Discuss
- Dialogue
- Exchange
- Talk
Conversate vs. Converse Summary
Is it conversate or converse? Conversate and converse are two words that are often confused because they look and sound alike. They both have to do with communication, but have distinct meanings.
Converse is a verb that means to talk or communicate with someone. Conversate is a nonstandard verb that means to engage in conversation.
Conversate Vs Converse Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Conversate is a more colloquial term, making it easier to use in everyday conversation.
- Conversate is less formal and allows for more expression in casual conversations.
Cons:
- Converse is the correct term for serious conversations about important topics.
- Converse is more commonly used in professional contexts, making it more appropriate in some situations.
Which is Better – Conversate Vs Converse?
Comparing conversate vs converse, it is clear that converse is the better choice for communication. Both words have similar meanings, but converse is the more commonly used term. It has been around for centuries, while conversate is a more modern word that has only recently come into use.
Converse is more widely accepted and understood than conversate. It is also more popular, with more people using it in everyday conversation. It is also more commonly used in books, newspapers, and other published works.
Converse is the more logical choice when considering the two words. It is the more established term, and therefore the preferred choice. It is also the more widely accepted and understood word.
For these reasons, it is clear that converse is the better choice when considering conversate vs converse.
Reasons to choose Converse:
- It is the more established term.
- It is more widely accepted and understood.
- It is the more popular choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Converse and conversate are often used interchangeably in everyday speech and writing, but technically, there is a difference between the two terms.
What is the difference between conversate and converse?
Converse is a verb, meaning “to engage in conversation.” It’s used in a wide variety of contexts, both formal and informal.
Conversate, on the other hand, is not a real word. It’s a nonstandard, colloquial form of converse, and it’s used primarily in speech.
What is the origin of conversate?
The word conversate is believed to have originated in the African American Vernacular English (AAVE) dialect. It’s a combination of the verb converse and the suffix -ate, which is sometimes used to form verbs.
Conversate has been recorded since the early 20th century, but it was mostly used in African American English until it became more widespread in the late 20th century.
When should I use conversate?
Conversate is considered to be a nonstandard word, and it should only be used in informal contexts. When writing for formal purposes, it’s best to stick to converse.
In spoken English, conversate is used in a wide variety of contexts, both formal and informal. It’s most commonly heard in the phrase “let’s conversate,” which is used to invite someone to engage in conversation.
Are conversate and converse interchangeable?
Yes and no. In casual speech and writing, conversate and converse can be used interchangeably. However, conversate is considered to be a nonstandard form of converse, and it should not be used in formal contexts.
In formal contexts, converse is the only appropriate option. It’s a standard verb that is used in a wide variety of contexts, both written and spoken.
Is conversate considered to be a real word?
No, conversate is not considered to be a real word. It’s a nonstandard, colloquial form of the verb converse, and it’s used primarily in spoken English.
Conversate is not generally accepted in formal writing, and it’s not included in most standard dictionaries. However, it is widely used in informal contexts, so it’s important to be aware of it in order to understand spoken English.
Converse or Conversate?
Overall, the debate of conversate vs converse reveals that the two words are very similar in meaning, but converse is the more widely accepted term. With such a small difference in meaning, it is important to remember that both words are completely acceptable, so there is no need to worry about using the wrong one. After all, linguistics is constantly evolving, and the debate between conversate vs converse may soon become a relic of the past.
