Weekly Tips: No.1
'Economic' and 'economical': Which is which, and how can we remember the difference?

These words are closely related, but they do not have the same meaning. However, many people, including native speakers, do not seem to know this, and use "economical" when they should be using "economic". This is probably because "economical" sounds like an adjective, while "economic" sounds as if it is the singular form of the noun "economics" (the academic subject that you are studying at Keio). (In fact, of course, "economics" is uncountable and "economic" does not exist as singular noun.)

Why are there two adjectives that look so similar but have different meanings?

This is because the noun "economy" has more than one meaning.

Look "economy" up in an English-English dictionary, such as this one or this one. (Note that in the case of the Longman online dictionary you will actually have to type "economy". However, it is useful because it has many examples.) They divide the meaning of the word up in different ways, but there are two basic meanings, one to do with the way in which money works (we will call this "meaning 1"), and one to do with saving money and not wasting things (we will call this "meaning 2").

(While you are looking at the dictionary entries, note the meanings and uses of the word "economy" itself. Note also that when you are referring to the economy of a particular country, you should say either
"the economy of Japan", "the Japanese economy"OR (without ""the") "Japan's economy".
It would be a good idea to learn some sentences to help you to remember this.)

The academic subject "economics" and the adjective "economic" are both related to meaning 1. Look them up in an English-English dictionary. Again note the use as well as the meaning of the words. Note that when "economic" comes after a noun, it can only mean "profitable".

One way of remembering that "economic" is to do with the way in which money works would be to learn it in a sentence like this one:

Economics involves the study of economic issues.

One way of remembering that "economic" after a noun means "profitable" would be to learn it in a sentence like this one:

Do not invest in a business unless it is economic.

On the other hand, "economical" is related to meaning 2. Look it up in an English-English dictionary.

One way of remembering that "economical" is to do with saving money would be to learn it in a sentences like this one:

In order to save the environment we must be economical in our use of resources.
An economical car needs an efficient engine so that it does not waste gasoline.

Fill in the blanks correctly:

1. It is more _____________________ to keep the empty bottle and buy a refill than to buy a new bottle every time.
2. Both China and India have entered periods of rapid _____________________ growth.
3. It is easier to develop _____________________ habits in the country than in the town because you can grow your own vegetables and do not have to follow fashion.
4. Politicians are often said to be "_____________________ with the truth". This is a polite way of suggesting that sometimes they tell lies.
5. In order to understand Hollywood, we need to look at the _____________________ aspects as well as study the contents of the movies themselves.



Answers: 1, 3, 4 economical; 2, 5 economic