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Prudent vs. prudential

English Language & Usage Asked on November 1, 2020

Page 744 of Garner’s fourth reads

Prudent = exhibiting prudence <the detective’s prudent withholding of judgment on the killing proved brilliant in the end>.

Prudential = relating to, considered from the point of view of, or dictated by prudence <the senator opposed the policy on both moral
and prudential grounds
>.

However I still cannot see any clear difference between them.

One Answer

Prudential is more often used to refer to what people do rather than people themselves: "A person is prudent if he has prudential motives."

These words are derived from a Latin term meaning "to look after," "to provide for." Prudent is employed to mean "wise," "cautious," "practical," "careful in providing for one's interests," "sensible about planning for the future": "It is always prudent to plan a trip carefully." "A prudent man will try to save money for family emergencies."

Prudential is used to refer not to acts themselves or to persons performing acts but to considerations or motives leading to action."A prudent person takes care of his health; prudential considerations often cause persons to watch out for their health."

(problem_words.enacademic.com)

Answered by user121863 on November 1, 2020

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