generosity or generousness?

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi,

I’d like to know whether there is a difference between “generosity” and “generousness” and which of these is more common. I had never come across “generousness” before until one of my students used it. The OALD doesn’t list “generousness” but only the adjective “generous” as well as the noun “generosity”. Merriam Webster contains both “generousness” and “generosity”. Is “generousness” more typical of American English?

Thanks for your help!

Gromit

2

Hi Gromit,

I hesitate to comment on whether a word is or isn’t more typical of American English. I can only say that ‘generosity’ would come first into my mind.

Alan