Slow but sure vs. slow but definite

[Elga]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #28 "The Hare and the Tortoise", question 10

The moral of this fable is: slow but ......... always wins the race in the end.

(a) sure
(b) evident
(c) certain
(d) definite

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #28 "The Hare and the Tortoise", answer 10

The moral of this fable is: slow but sure always wins the race in the end.

Correct answer: (a) sure

Your answer was: incorrect
The moral of this fable is: slow but definite always wins the race in the end.
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please explain to me the difference between these two words

Thank you,
Elga

[Alan]

Hi,

You have to accept that 'slow but sure' is an accepted phrase. As to the difference between 'sure' and 'definiite', 'sure' in this context suggests a combination of 'reliable' and 'steady' and 'definite' has the idea of 'fixed' and 'confirmed'.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A day in the life of a driving instructor

[Saneta]

Please tell me the difference between : certain and sure? Why we can't use certain in the sentence above? because it is a an accepted phrase? when we should use ,,certain'' and when ,,sure''?