Discreet/ discrete. Which one ?

Discreet and discrete share the same etymology from Latin. Discretion is the exercise of individual judgment without recourse to a rule - as in being able to separate discrete things or choosing to be unobtrusive or discreet.

Neither do I Callistemon We could talk and not care a fig about Welsh grammar 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

😂😂😂

I don't know much Welsh, MrsKen but I do have DGC who try to teach me. 🙂

But not if you speak like that Callistemon

Callistemon, discreete very drôle!

O.K. Callistemon. I believe you live in Wales so you can be my first reserve.

MrsKen33

Fanny if you were a proofreader I would send you my manuscript in a flash. Thanks

Wot abart me?
I'm very discreete!

Fanny if you were a proofreader I would send you my manuscript in a flash. Thanks

I've used discrete (correctly)

Have I always been discreet?
Of course.

MawtheMerrier

grannyrebel7
Someone having a pop at the OP again! I suggest try being kind as your new year's resolution

Pots and kettles! @ grannyrebel

Nobody but nobody is having a pop. Nobody is being mean. Op asked a question in pedants corner andvgit answers. What should have been said ? “ oh don’t worry sweetie, just put what you think. ??

FannyCornforth

Germanshepherdsmum

I agree Marydoll, the proof reader clearly isn’t up to the job.

They aren’t. They have caused no end of hassle for MrsKen.
About 25 years ago I looked into being a proof reader, but was dissuaded as I was led to believe that it was really difficult to get into and super competitive.
I wish that I’d persevered

Could it be something you could do remotely from home now though, Fanny?

I am going to admit something shocking now, I have never used discreet. I'm pretty sure I have always used discrete and I got an A in English. I am however, not a proof reader

Good luck with your book (?) MrsKen

My cousin does some proof reading of scientific manuscripts for Cambridge University Press. She’s pretty fearsome. I think MrsKen should send her proof reader a good English dictionary and a good book about basic English grammar. Anonymously perhaps.

MrsKen33

So is it ‘They sat at a discrete distance’ and ‘ He told her his problem as he knew she would be discreet.’ ?

Have I got it right ?

I very much doubt it, but I don't know what you meant by a discrete difference.

"Discrete" basically means seperate, discontinuous, or consisting of distinct parts, so I suspect you meant "discreet" in both of your examples.

discreet means prudent, considerate, or tactful.

Germanshepherdsmum

I agree Marydoll, the proof reader clearly isn’t up to the job.

They aren’t. They have caused no end of hassle for MrsKen.
About 25 years ago I looked into being a proof reader, but was dissuaded as I was led to believe that it was really difficult to get into and super competitive.
I wish that I’d persevered

Riverwalk

I think it's a bit mean to tell a poster to just consult a dictionary or Google. Gransnet is a chat site - it would be a bit quiet on here if everyone followed that advice.

People ask how to avoid a flat Victoria sponge, or where to buy big knickers, and no one tells them to consult Delia or try Google.

--I hope no one comes and asks when to use practice or practise!--

Re practice/practise, I was once sorely tempted to Say Something, after dd1’s needlework teacher awarded me a C+ for 90% of the work of making dd’s cookery apron (she loathed any sort of sewing.)
‘Neatness and accuracy are 2 skills which you must practice.’

But I desisted - rather noble of me, I think!

So, Welbeck for quick exam purposes, kEEping a confidence is discrEEt. Is that a short and pragmatic enough answer?

grannyrebel7
Someone having a pop at the OP again! I suggest try being kind as your new year's resolution

Pots and kettles! @ grannyrebel

There is no judgement in correction of grammar. On the other hand it shows you care. Similarly there should be absolutely no shame in asking for grammar/spelling/words advice. I just love the fact that the OP cares and I heartily admire her/him for asking. There is really no such thing as a stupid question when for every one person who asks it there are many more who think quietly, "ooh, so that's the answer...I always wondered but was too shy to ask..."

Oreo

Witzend

They have entirely different meanings.

From my big fat Oxford dictionary: (much of what it says)

Discreet - careful and circumspect in one’s words or actions, e.g. some discreet enquiries

Discrete - individually separate and distinct.

Well, I’m upset at fat shaming that poor dictionary, what did it ever do to you?

Mea culpa.* I will apologise to it forthwith.

*Autocorrect tried to change that to ‘me cuppa’ 😂
Though it is about time for a coffee, I think.

I agree Marydoll, the proof reader clearly isn’t up to the job.

My granny sent her washing to The Snowflake Laundry in the 60s, tell that to your proofreader! And when I married in 1970 and didn’t have a washing machine I went to the local laundrette.

Not at all intended to be mean.
I'm a very practical and proactive, so that is what I would do, rather than be given various definitions and perhaps inaccurate ones. It's not the same thing as asking or chatting about a flat sponge. There are many reasons why a sponge hasn't risen.
The OP's question requires a definitive answer.
Researching the answer is also a much quicker solution. Surely that is what authors do?

I find it unkind to advise me to be kind, when you know nothing or very little about me, nor my intentions. 😪

The point that seems to being missed by some, is that the proof reader appears to lack the appropriate knowledge and skills for a job he/she is being paid to do.

I think it's a bit mean to tell a poster to just consult a dictionary or Google. Gransnet is a chat site - it would be a bit quiet on here if everyone followed that advice.

People ask how to avoid a flat Victoria sponge, or where to buy big knickers, and no one tells them to consult Delia or try Google.

I hope no one comes and asks when to use practice or practise!

No Fanny .Laundry, a big commercial business. Not a row of washing machines and dryers. ❤️

grannyrebel7

Someone having a pop at the OP again! I suggest try being kind as your new year's resolution.

I agree Granyrebel17 . Maybe they could practise 23 times and Gransnet would be a happier place, where you dare to ask questions,