-ic, -ical

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In english, adjectives ending with -ic and -ical suffixes sometimes have distinct meanings, and are sometimes interchangable.


For example, cases in which the difference lies in nuance:

  • economic (growth, outlook), economical (vehicle, use of time)


Very close:

  • electrical (applicances, industries), electric (fire, wiring)
  • historic, historical


And those for which there is preference for one (or the other is considered strange):

  • physical
  • scientific