What is the difference between rest and remainder? A professor left a comment on our thread that I like the remainder of the groups. I guess it is a formal way compared with "I like the rest of the gr

Robin

What is the difference between rest and remainder? A professor left a comment on our thread that I like the remainder of the groups. I guess it is a formal way compared with "I like the rest of the groups?". If so can I use this in daily conversation with a friend of mine saying I like the remainder？

May 18, 2016 2:46 AM

Answers · 7

"I like the remainder of the groups" is not prima facie good English. What is the context?

May 18, 2016

In the sense that you're using it, they are exactly the same (including formality). "The remainder" is what's left over, "the rest" is including everything all together that wasn't accounted for....so the same working definition. Remainder doesn't really have any other working definitions; however, "rest" does and I would be careful using it when appropriate.

May 18, 2016

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