English has a number of parallel adjectives with -ic and
-ical endings. They are similar in their forms and origins but
somewhat different in their meanings and uses. Here are some pairs
with
their differences.
1. historic/historical:
Historic means unique, important in history, famous,
something that happened for the first time. It also implies that the
event itself made history:
The first trip to the moon was a historic event.
(Some people might say AN historic event.)
Historical usually refers to history in general; it
means that the event was part of a long story about the past:
"War and Peace" is a historical novel (a novel based on
real events in history).
Napoleon's historical importance is enormous (his
importance in the history of Europe).
2. economic/economical:
Economic refers to the area of financial activities:
Spending by consumers is one indicator of economic
stability.
Economical means good value, inexpensive, not wasteful:
Buying a kilo of oranges is usually more economical
than paying the price for each orange.
3. comic/comical:
Comic refers to comedy or humor in phrases like comic
book, comic strip (newspaper cartoon), or comic
actor. It can describe a type, like something or someone that makes
you laugh, as in a comedy; it's intended to make you laugh.
He was often described as a brilliant comic actor,
but Alec Guinness actually played many serious roles, too.
Comical (somewhat formal in use) means humorous, funny,
amusing; something that makes you want to laugh because it strikes you
as funny or silly at the moment, not necessarily because it was intended
to.
The dog had a comical face.
The lawyer's outrageous defense of his client was so far-fetched that
it was comical.
4. classic/classical:
Classic means memorable, an outstanding model or example
of a class. The representation is good all by itself, and does not have
distracting or trendy features:
The Ford Model T is a classic car.
Classical refers to a historically important form
in music, art, or architecture based on ancient Roman or Greek models:
Beethoven composed symphonies in the classical
period.
5. electric/electrical:
Electric means operated by electricity (and is sometimes
used interchangeably with electrical).
My grandmother didn't have an electric washing machine; the one
she had was operated manually.
Electric also means very vibrant, giving a pleasant
shock:
The actor's performance was electric.
Electrical (used less often) refers to a circuit of
electricity:
The storm damaged the electrical connection to
my computer.
6. politic/political:
Politic means tactful, shrewd, clever; acting in one's
own interest in an group or community:
Leaving the business was the only politic thing
he could do after his mistake.
Political refers to the politics of running a government:
There are two major political parties in the United States.
7. problematic/problematical:
Problematic is preferred more than problematical
although they are both used in the same way with the same meaning of
puzzling, difficult to solve, uncertain:
The scientist's interpretation of the research data was problematic.
Because parallel pairs of adjectives like these are often problematical,
it is helpful for students to have a good dictionary.
Barbara Matthies