Electric, Electrical, or Electronic?
2020-03-21
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1This week we answer a question from Angus in China.
2"I'm Angus, a big fan of VOA English from China. Could you please tell me the difference among electric, electrical and electronic?" - Angus, China
3Dear Angus,
4Thanks for writing to us.
5These days, many people are using electronic ways to communicate with others, so this is a good question. Let us start with the word "electric," which comes from the noun electricity.
6"Electric" is an adjective; that is, a word used to describe a noun.
7Its simple meaning is "operated by electricity." Here are two examples.
8There is an electric fence around the cows in that field.
9Electric lights allow us to read at night.
10You can also use "electric" to describe something exciting or full of energy, like a feeling or a performance.
11The dancers gave an electric performance.
12Now, let's turn to the word "electrical."
13"Electrical" is also an adjective, but we mostly use it to mean "related to electricity." For example, you might say:
14She studies electrical engineering.
15Here, there is no electricity powering the noun "engineering," but "electrical engineering" is a field related to electricity.
16The word "electrical" also can be used in a general sense:
17His kitchen is full of electrical appliances.
18However, you cannot use the word "electrical" to describe a specific noun, like a car:
19That is a new Tesla electrical electric car.
20Finally, compare what we have just described to the word, "electronic."
21"Electronic" is an adjective. It describes something that operates through the use of many small electrical parts, such as microchips.
22In "electrical" devices, there is movement of a current, while "electronic" devices involve the movement of subatomic particles called electrons.
23Here is how one might use the word in a sentence:
24In China, almost everyone makes electronic payments when they go shopping.
25You may have an electric toothbrush now, but when you get an electronic toothbrush, it might tell you exactly when to stop using it.
26And that's Ask a Teacher!
27I'm Jill Robbins.
1This week we answer a question from Angus in China. 2Question: 3"I'm Angus, a big fan of VOA English from China. Could you please tell me the difference among electric, electrical and electronic?" - Angus, China 4Answer: 5Dear Angus, 6Thanks for writing to us. These days, many people are using electronic ways to communicate with others, so this is a good question. Let us start with the word "electric," which comes from the noun electricity. "Electric" is an adjective; that is, a word used to describe a noun. Its simple meaning is "operated by electricity." Here are two examples. 7There is an electric fence around the cows in that field. 8Electric lights allow us to read at night. 9You can also use "electric" to describe something exciting or full of energy, like a feeling or a performance. 10The dancers gave an electric performance. 11Electrical 12Now, let's turn to the word "electrical." "Electrical" is also an adjective, but we mostly use it to mean "related to electricity." For example, you might say: 13She studies electrical engineering. 14Here, there is no electricity powering the noun "engineering," but "electrical engineering" is a field related to electricity. 15The word "electrical" also can be used in a general sense: 16His kitchen is full of electrical appliances. 17However, you cannot use the word "electrical" to describe a specific noun, like a car: 18That is a new Tesla electrical electric car. 19Electronic 20Finally, compare what we have just described to the word, "electronic." "Electronic" is an adjective. It describes something that operates through the use of many small electrical parts, such as microchips. In "electrical" devices, there is movement of a current, while "electronic" devices involve the movement of subatomic particles called electrons. Here is how one might use the word in a sentence: 21In China, almost everyone makes electronic payments when they go shopping. 22You may have an electric toothbrush now, but when you get an electronic toothbrush, it might tell you exactly when to stop using it. 23And that's Ask a Teacher! 24I'm Jill Robbins. 25Jill Robbins wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 26________________________________________________________________ 27Words in This Story 28allow - v. to let or permit 29kitchen - n. a room in a home or building where food is prepared 30appliance - n. a piece of equipment designed to perform a job or operation; machine 31microchip - n. a group of tiny electronic circuits that work together on a very small piece of hard material (such as silicon) 32shopping - n. the action of purchasing goods from stores 33Do you have a question for the teacher? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.