What is the difference between "denying" and "categorically denying"?
Question #63986. Asked by deuceu72.
Flynn_17
Answer has 6 votes
Currently Best Answer
Flynn_17 23 year member
604 replies
Answer has 6 votes.
Currently voted the best answer.
Absolutely nothing. The second is merely overdoing the point and being fecetiously verbose. Bill Bryson would have a hissy fit.
Mar 27 2006, 2:22 PM
Baloo55th
Answer has 4 votes
Baloo55th 22 year member
4545 replies
Answer has 4 votes.
Usually someone who 'categorically' denies something is rather more rattled than someone who merely denies. Categorically is common in first person use, and makes me suspicious when I hear it. When used in the third person, it means someone made quite a fuss about it. 'Strenuously' can be used also, but more in third person use. Categorical, I suppose, because they are denying every category of allegation that could be made against them. But everyone is guilty of something...
Mar 27 2006, 2:25 PM
soonappear
Answer has 4 votes
soonappear
Answer has 4 votes.
The difference is 'categorically' - flatly: in an unqualified manner; "he flatly denied the charges".
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
Mar 27 2006, 4:42 PM
xfacilitatorx
Answer has 3 votes
xfacilitatorx
Answer has 3 votes.
Being under arrest and being suspect. The rule of thumb is ANDE....Admit Nothing,Deny Everything. ANDE!
Effective while under questioning. See Question #63988.
