desired vs desirable

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tuyetnhungtsc@gmail.com - 22 Jan 2009 22:16 GMT

I am very confused about the difference between desired and desirable.
When I should use the former and when the later? Are they
interchangable?

Can you please clarify my confusion?

Thanks a lot.

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the Omrud - 22 Jan 2009 22:49 GMT

> I am very confused about the difference between desired and desirable.
> When I should use the former and when the later? Are they
> interchangable?
>
> Can you please clarify my confusion?

"desired" means that there is a person actually doing the desiring.

"desirable" means much the same as "attractive". It is likely to be
wanted, but there's no indication that it's actually being wanted.

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David

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Arcadian Rises - 23 Jan 2009 01:30 GMT

> tuyetnhung...@gmail.com wrote:
> > I am very confused about the difference between desired and desirable.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> "desired" means that there is a person actually doing the desiring.

e.g.: Oscar award is desired (not desirable) by many actors.

> "desirable" means much the same as "attractive". �It is likely to be
> wanted, but there's no indication that it's actually being wanted.
>
> --
> David

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2009

desired vs desirable