Hi,
what’s the difference among ‘test’, ‘check’, ‘assess’ and ‘justify’? They all seem to mean ‘to prove that sth is true/correct/ok’ to me…
Thank you very much.
Hi,
‘Test’ is see whether something works properly
‘Check’ make sure something is correct.
‘Assess’ means work out/calculate value or extent of something.
‘Justify’ means find a reason for something.
Alan
Hi, Abc. Some of your words are closer in meaning than others.
To test is to examine or probe or to subject to examination.
We tested the new device, and it worked flawlessly.
We tested his argument, and he defended so well that we became convinced.
We tested the students, and unfortunately they performed poorly.
To assess is also to examine, to probe or to subject to examination.
We assessed the device’s performance, and it was flawless.
We assessed his logic, and although we had deemed it specious, it proved convincing.
The results of the students’ skills assessment made us proud.
To check is to examine or to attempt to verify.
We checked your device, and it works fine.
We checked his excuse with his friends, and it’s solid.
“To justify” stands out most from the pack. It means to offer or show good reasoning for an act or argument. It does not mean simply “to examine.” We can test, check or assess a skill, but if we justify a skill, that would be rarer and different in meaning. It would suggest we had offered credible reason to believe a certain skill was worthwhile rather than determining its extent.
[i]When he told me that he lied to lift her spirits, it justified his dishonesty. I saw why he did such a thing, and the result was worth it.
Jesse, it is true that she was unfair to you. That still does not justify your revenge tactics, which I find disproportionate, cruel and juvenile.
I had contested the policy as unfair. Once the customer service representative explained it, I was embarrassed. It was completely justified. After all, the business must protect itself, too.[/i]