Je dois identifier les distractions vs je dois décéler les distractons

Freya O.B1Kwiziq community member

Je dois identifier les distractions vs je dois décéler les distractons

Would décéler also work instead of identifier?

Asked 2 days ago
CécileKwiziq Native French TeacherCorrect answer

Bonjour Freya,

I would say no, here, as 'identifier' is just to find out, to single out,  whereas 'déceler' (a lovely word) is more to reveal, detect, and uncover something hidden.

This is my personal opinion, but it is open for discussion ...

Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Cécile, 

That was my thought also.

I think ‘ décéler ‘ would imply something unknown or unexpected being ‘ discovered/revealed ‘, not the distractions that the speaker acknowledges exist but that need to be better detailed.

Freya O. asked:

Je dois identifier les distractions vs je dois décéler les distractons

Would décéler also work instead of identifier?

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