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Historical and historic: difference in usage
15.01.2025
4 minutes to read
These two words sound similar and are related to the past, but they are used in different situations. Why is an important event called historic and an old document called historical? Let's find out how to avoid confusion and use both words correctly.
Table of contents
The word historical in English is usually associated with something that has to do with history or the past. This word is used when we talk about events, objects or people that are somehow related to history, but are not always so important to be included in books about the most famous events.
For example, historical events are any events that happened in the past and left a mark on history. But these won't necessarily be the most high-profile events, such as wars or revolutions. They can be small events that are still important for understanding how history has unfolded.
When we talk about historical documents, we mean letters, books, records, or other materials that have survived from past times and help us learn about how people lived in the past, what they thought, and how they made decisions.
Also, the word historical is often used when we talk about buildings, places or objects that have been around for a long time, for example, historical landmarks are places that have historical value because they are connected to important events or personalities in the past.
Thus, historical is used for anything that relates to history, but does not necessarily make something outstanding or unique in a historical context.
For example, historical events are any events that happened in the past and left a mark on history. But these won't necessarily be the most high-profile events, such as wars or revolutions. They can be small events that are still important for understanding how history has unfolded.
When we talk about historical documents, we mean letters, books, records, or other materials that have survived from past times and help us learn about how people lived in the past, what they thought, and how they made decisions.
Also, the word historical is often used when we talk about buildings, places or objects that have been around for a long time, for example, historical landmarks are places that have historical value because they are connected to important events or personalities in the past.
Thus, historical is used for anything that relates to history, but does not necessarily make something outstanding or unique in a historical context.
What historical means in English
What historic mean in English
The word historic is a little different from historical. When we use historic, we are talking about something that is important or significant to history, that is, an event, place, or object that is of great importance and can change the course of history. Historic usually implies that it is something that has really made its mark on the world and is remembered even after many years.
For example, a historic event is an event that changed the course of history, such as the first human space flight or the fall of the Berlin Wall. The event was not just important to the people at the time, it became significant to the whole world and remained in the memory of generations.
When we talk about historic places, we mean locations that were important to some major event or person. For example, the historic center of Rome is a place that was important in the history of the city and even the world. Tourists often come there to see how this place is connected to great events of the past.
Thus, historic is used when referring to something that has left an important mark in history and deserves attention as something great and significant.
For example, a historic event is an event that changed the course of history, such as the first human space flight or the fall of the Berlin Wall. The event was not just important to the people at the time, it became significant to the whole world and remained in the memory of generations.
When we talk about historic places, we mean locations that were important to some major event or person. For example, the historic center of Rome is a place that was important in the history of the city and even the world. Tourists often come there to see how this place is connected to great events of the past.
Thus, historic is used when referring to something that has left an important mark in history and deserves attention as something great and significant.
How to stop confusing these words
To avoid confusing these two words, it's important to remember a simple rule: historic is related to something that is really important to history, and historical is something that just refers to the past or history but isn't necessarily super important.
Here's how you can remember the difference:
If something is historic, it means it's something significant, important, and has left a mark on history. It's not just something from the past, but something that is remembered and appreciated because of its impact.
If something is historical, it is more likely to be just a part of the past. It may be interesting or important to scholars or historians, but it will not necessarily be of great value to everyone.
A simple way to remember: if an event or place is historic, then it is worth remembering because it changed something important in the world. If it's historical, then it's just a part of history, perhaps not as vivid, but still significant.
So if your sentence is about something important to history, use historic. If it's just about something related to the past, then historical.
Here's how you can remember the difference:
If something is historic, it means it's something significant, important, and has left a mark on history. It's not just something from the past, but something that is remembered and appreciated because of its impact.
If something is historical, it is more likely to be just a part of the past. It may be interesting or important to scholars or historians, but it will not necessarily be of great value to everyone.
A simple way to remember: if an event or place is historic, then it is worth remembering because it changed something important in the world. If it's historical, then it's just a part of history, perhaps not as vivid, but still significant.
So if your sentence is about something important to history, use historic. If it's just about something related to the past, then historical.
To make it easier to understand how to use these words correctly, let's look at a few examples.
Examples with historical:
The museum has a lot of historical documents from the 18th century.
The historical records show that people lived in this area hundreds of years ago.
Historical movies often try to show what life was like in different periods.
Examples with historic:
The signing of the Declaration of Independence was a historic event for the United States.
The city is home to several historic landmarks, including the old castle.
The historic victory of the team changed the course of sports history.
These examples will help you clearly understand when to use historic for something that is simply related to the past and historic for something that really changed or played an important role in history.
Examples with historical:
The museum has a lot of historical documents from the 18th century.
The historical records show that people lived in this area hundreds of years ago.
Historical movies often try to show what life was like in different periods.
Examples with historic:
The signing of the Declaration of Independence was a historic event for the United States.
The city is home to several historic landmarks, including the old castle.
The historic victory of the team changed the course of sports history.
These examples will help you clearly understand when to use historic for something that is simply related to the past and historic for something that really changed or played an important role in history.
Examples of usage
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