Enormity vs. Enormous

Attribute	Enormity	Enormous
Definition	Extreme evil or wickedness	Very large in size or extent
Usage	Often used in the context of moral or ethical wrongs	Commonly used to describe physical size or quantity
Emotional Impact	Can evoke feelings of horror or disgust	Usually neutral in emotional impact
Subjectivity	Subjective and context-dependent	Objective and quantifiable

Definition

Enormity and enormous are two words that are often confused due to their similar spellings and meanings. However, they have distinct differences in their usage and connotations. Enormity is typically used to describe something that is morally wrong or evil, while enormous is used to describe something that is very large in size or extent.

Usage

Enormity is often used in a negative context, such as describing a heinous crime or a terrible tragedy. For example, one might say "the enormity of the crime shocked the entire community." On the other hand, enormous is used to describe something that is physically large or vast, such as "the enormous size of the elephant amazed the onlookers."

Connotation

The connotations of enormity and enormous are also different. Enormity carries a sense of moral weight or significance, often implying a sense of horror or outrage. Enormous, on the other hand, simply describes something that is very large in size without any moral implications. For example, one might say "the enormity of the situation weighed heavily on everyone involved," while saying "the enormous mountain loomed in the distance."

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between enormity and enormous:

• Enormity: The enormity of the genocide shocked the world.
• Enormous: The enormous skyscraper towered over the city skyline.

Etymology

The origins of the words enormity and enormous also shed light on their differences. Enormity comes from the Latin word "enormis," which means "irregular" or "monstrous." This reflects the negative connotations associated with enormity. On the other hand, enormous comes from the Latin word "enormis," which means "out of the norm" or "unusual." This reflects the neutral connotations associated with enormous.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake people make is using enormity when they actually mean enormous. This can lead to confusion and miscommunication, as the two words have different meanings and connotations. It is important to use each word correctly in order to convey the intended message accurately.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while enormity and enormous may sound similar, they have distinct differences in their definitions, usage, connotations, etymology, and common mistakes. Understanding these differences can help you use each word correctly in your writing and communication. Remember, enormity is for moral wrongs or evils, while enormous is for physical size or extent.