What is the difference between invent and discover? Even advanced English language students often find these two verbs confusing.
Learn how to use invent and discover in English in this short advanced English lesson.
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Harry
difference between invent and discover

Hi, there welcome to Harry’s words and phrases and English in a minute.
Somebody has asked me to explain the difference between invent and discover.
They are synonymous, and they can often be used similarly, but they do have some specific differences.
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Invent
When we talk about ‘invent’, it’s about innovation. Something new, something that somebody has developed that has never happened before.
For example, when the mobile phone was invented, it wasn’t something they found under the bed or in a cupboard. It was something new, some new technology so it was invented, it was created.
difference between invent and discover

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Discover
But when we talk about ‘discover’, it’s something that has been found. It has existed for a long time but has recently been found.
For example, when they first discovered gold, it wasn’t that somebody invented it. It was there in the ground, and they had to dig a hole and find it, or as they panned for it in the river.
The same as oil or gas, it was discovered when they drilled a hole; and the oil came out of it gas escaped.
difference between invent and discover
So when we talk about discovery, we’re finding something.
And when we talk about invention, we are making something. We are making something that we never had before. Finding something that had been lost or not previously discovered, or has been uncovered.
Hopefully, that explains the difference between invent and discover.
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How to use invent and discover
The Chinese invented the first printing press hundreds of years ago.
More information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
English idioms about relationships
Don’t forget to check out intermediate and advanced English vocabulary materials at the British Council website.
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