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Descriptively vs Prescriptive - What's the difference?

descriptively | prescriptive |

As an adverb descriptively

is in a descriptive manner.

As an adjective prescriptive is

of or pertaining to prescribing or enjoining, especially an action or behavior based on a norm or standard.

descriptively

English

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • In a descriptive manner.
  • prescriptive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of or pertaining to prescribing or enjoining, especially an action or behavior based on a norm or standard.
  • *
  • For one thing, spoken language tends to be less subjected to prescriptive
    pressures than written language, and hence is a less artificial medium of com-
    munication (written language is often a kind of 'censored' version of spoken
    language). [...]

    Synonyms

    * normative

    Antonyms

    * descriptive (especially of grammar and usage) * proscriptive

    Derived terms

    * prescriptiveness