2007-11-19 04:25:51 · 3 answers · asked by dolempap 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
'Consecutive' arises from Latin roots that mean 'to follow with'. It's the same root that 'consequence' comes from, so it might also be said that a consecutive element is a consequence of the previous one. The first in a real sense CAUSES the other.
'Successive' arises from a Latin root meaning 'to follow after' or 'to come into another's place' or 'to go near to'. 'Succeed' also comes from this root, which perhaps also gives us a bit of the distinction - you do not succeed at an action when it is initiated, only afterward.
The difference between consecutive and successive, then, is the difference between 'with' and 'after'. Consecutive things are more likely to be present at the same time, and are more closely connected such that one produces the other. Successive things definitely have a connection and a sequence, but they are much more loosely connected; it wouldn't be inappropriate to a succession if one element usurped the position of the previous one.
So when you talk about a line of kings, it is usually a succession... one is sometimes the progeny of the previous one, but sometimes not. When you talk about numbers, they are usually consecutive; the order is rigid, unvarying, and perhaps simultaneous.
2007-11-19 04:53:51 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Consecutive events follow one another over time, much like successive ones. So in that sense the are synonyms and mean much the same thing. The difference comes in that successive events must follow on one from the other, consecutive events do not necessarily have to, although they can.
So, successive events must by their nature be consecutive, but if events are consecutive that does not mean the were successive.
I think.
It is a bit like the difference between a simile and a metaphor. One is a subset of the other.
I think, although as i write this i have got myself into a bit of an intellectual tangle, and two of my flatmates are having a massive argument about it.
Great Question!
2007-11-19 04:51:02 · answer #2 · answered by patchcassidy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Consecutive, together.
successive, one after another.
2007-11-19 04:48:20 · answer #3 · answered by Dr. Girishkumar TS 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋