Talk:erroneously

Definitions identical?

It seems to me that definitions 1 ("in an erroneous manner") and 2 ("incorrectly") mean the exact same thing. If so, why do we have the second definition? If not, what is the difference here? —TeragR (talk) 18:08, 28 October 2013 (UTC)

There might be a distinction that could be made between a (manner) use in which a verb (eg, pronounce) is modified both grammatically and semantically and a use in which the semantics imply that the product of the verb is in error: "He pronounced the verdict erroneously." could be interpreted either way. There are probably examples in which the "manner" interpretation is impossible and the "result" interpretation is the only one possible.

The wording in the entry doesn't communicate that. Century had "In an erroneous manner; by mistake; not rightly; falsely." as a definition. I think the alternatives may be sufficiently different so that there are at least two definitions, the latter three in Century being close to identical and focusing on the result of the verb, not the manner of its performance. DCDuring TALK 18:25, 28 October 2013 (UTC)

Understood. Thank you for clarifying that. —TeragR (talk) 19:25, 28 October 2013 (UTC)