Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

Could anyone care to elaborate on the difference between *civil* and *civic*?

Thanks

[bud]

Hi Missdaredevil,

Civil is mostly used with a legal connotation. It concerns areas of the law that do not involve crimes. If you and I had a business contract, and you believed that I did not act in a way specified by the contract, then you might start a civil action (= a lawsuit) against me. The suit would be heard in a civil court, and your attorney would cite various civil laws to make your case.

Civil disobediance - This is the breaking of a law by a citizen, or more often a group of citizens, in protest. For example, an anti-war march would be civil disobediance if it is conducted without first obtaining the required parade permit.

Civil is also used as a synonym for polite: The meeting was civil, but it was soon obvious that no aggreement would be possible.

Civic is used more in relation to a community (large or small):

Amy considers voting not as her right, but as her civic duty.
The townspeople were filled with civic pride at the dedication ceremony for the new firehouse.
Since he is the mayor of our town, Ted is very involved in most of our civic affairs.

Hope that helps.

[missdaredevil]

Sorry for aksing another question why was *civic*in the sentence above?
Since it's regarding *civil* right to vote.
Feel free to point out my mistake.
Thanks again

[bud]

What a great question, Missdaredevil! I think the answer is that when we talk about a right to vote, the right is guaranteed to us by law. So when we say "civil right(s)," we are making the link between our right and the law.

However, no law (except perhaps in a dictatorship) says that you MUST vote. Therefore, if a person feels that it is his duty to vote, we are no longer making a connection to the law. In this case, the person is saying that to be a responsible member of a community, voting is necessary. So here, "civic duty" is used to link "community" (or citizenship) to the concept of duty.

I hope this is clear enough, but please ask a follow-up question if it isn't.