Namely & Named

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

Hello everybody,

I am confused by these two words, so I CONFUSE THEM :smiley:

Please tell me the difference.

1-Namely
2- Named.

Thanks in advance

Tom

2

Hi Tom

You can use the verb “name” when you give a name to someone/something. For example:
We named the dog Snoopy.

You can use “name” to list things by name. For example:
He successfully named every one of the planets in the solar system. :slight_smile:

You can use “name” to specify something/fix a date. For example:
We finally named a date for the wedding.

You can use “namely” when you first say something general or not specific, and then clarifiy or specify. For example:
A forum member, namely Tom, asked this question. :lol:
A forum administrator has to do a lot of work, namely answer questions, keep the web site up-to-date, delete spam, (etc., etc.)

Amy

3

Dear Amy

I am thankful to to you as usual.

Now if I change namely to named . in your sentence, what will happen? Will it become wrong?

“A forum member, namely Tom, asked this question.”

Thanks

Tom

4

Hi Tom

“A forum member, namely Tom, asked this question.”
The person I’m talking to most likely already knows who Tom is.

“A forum member named Tom asked this question.”
I am identifiying or specifying which forum member.
The person I’m talking to doesn’t know Tom. Or at least I believe that the person doesn’t know Tom.

Amy