Difference Between Describe and Discuss

Describe vs Discuss

Describe and Discuss are two words that are often confused due to the appearing similarity in their meanings. Actually, they are two different words that convey different meanings. The word ‘describe’ is used in the sense of ‘explain’. On the other hand, the word ‘discuss’ is used in the sense of ‘talk about’ or ‘converse’. This is the main difference between the two words.

It is interesting to note that the word ‘describe’ aims at explaining something in full or in detail. On the other hand, the word ‘discuss’ aims at talking about something in order to prove it. This is the very purpose of the word ‘discuss’.

It is important to know that the word ‘discuss’ is used as a verb. It has its noun form in the word ‘discussion’. On the other hand, the word ‘describe’ is also used as a verb, and it has its noun form in the word ‘description’. The word ‘describe’ has its adjectival form in the word ‘descriptive’ as in the expression ‘descriptive catalogue’. On the other hand, the word ‘discuss’ has its adjectival form in the word ‘discussed’ as in the expression ‘discussed topics’.

Take a look at the following sentences:

1. Francis describes the scene in detail.

2. Angela described all the events that took place during the function.

In both the sentences, the word ‘describe’ is used in the sense of ‘explain’ and hence, the first sentence would be rewritten as ‘Francis explains the scene in detail’, and the second sentence could be rewritten as ‘Angela explained all the events that took place during the function’.

Observe the two sentences given below:

1. I want you to discuss the situation in detail.

2. Lucy discussed all the points with interest.

In both the sentences, the word ‘discuss’ is used in the sense of ‘talk about’ or ‘converse’ and hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘I want you to talk about the situation in detail’, and the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘Lucy talked about all the points with interest’.

As far as English grammar is concerned the word ‘discuss’ is not followed by the preposition ‘about’. It would suffice to say ‘I want to discuss the problem’. It is grammatically wrong to say ‘I want to discuss about the problem’. These are the differences between the two words, namely, describe and discuss.

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