Difference between stupid and dumb

[Shafeeahmed]

I have to go,we have to go,she has to go
I don't have to go
She dosen't have to go. I feel my conjugation is correct.
If my friend says, She doesn't HAS to go, my friend is wrong.
Am I correct?
Shafee Ahmed,South India

[Alan]

Hi,

You are right: She doesn't have to go. You need the infinitive form after 'have to'. By the way, you can start your own topic because this particular 'thread' is about 'stupid and dumb.

Alan
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[Ralphwaldo]

stupid is lacking in intelligence or dazzled while dumb is unable to speak.

[Yoki]

so amy, do you think we also could use dumb for the test (correct answer?)

yoki

[AmYankee]

.
Yes, Yoki, the word dumb would also be a correct answer in the test.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dumb

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- Amy -
ESL teacher, translator and a native speaker of American English

[Semi]

How are you doing sir Torsten?.What is your take on the discussion between Yankee and Alan,I think Yankee is correct in saying that in North America,dumb informally used as stupid,actually I have an electronic English Oxford Dictionary which explains the word in the same way,I think you should accept the explaination of Yankee.What you have to say about it?,as I really value your openion,so please let me aware of that.You are really doing a great job.You are my model Instructor,keep up the good work.
With Best wishes.
Semi

[Torsten]

Hi Semi,

It's not about 'accepting or rejecting explanations' (please mind the correct spelling of this word). It's all about learning something new and sharing ideas and opinions.

Regards,
Torsten
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[AmYankee]

Hi Torsten

In this case, it has much more to do with the rejection of perfectly valid information. There has been nothing but stubborn refusal to accept the fact that this is an extremely widespread usage and edit this test accordingly. In addition, it is quite clear that my speaking up about the error in this test, as well as about errors in other tests, was a primary reason you decided to deactivate my Yankee account.

Tens of thousands of people now receive your "free e-mail English course" in which you direct learners to the tests on this site. What percentage of the learners doing this particular test do you think will also look at this forum thread? I would think that the percentage is pretty low. Therefore, the majority of test-takers will be given the information that "dumb" is incorrect in the sentence -- even though you now know that it is not. Not by a long shot. What that means, then, is that you are knowingly providing the majority of the test-takers with incorrect information in this test. How in the world can you scold learners about misspellings and errors in their posts when you are not willing to correct obvious errors in your own tests? That is a double-standard, Torsten. And I think deep down you must know that.

Here is what the American Heritage Dictionary has to say about the usage and meaning of the word "dumb":

[Alan]

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Hi,

Clearly you have made your point but what I can't understand is why you find it necessary to launch a personal attack on Torsten.

Alan
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You can read my EFL story A day in the life of a flat hunter

[Shyone]

I'm surely not competent to determine what is "right" or "wrong" in the dispute about "stupid" and "dumb". I'm not a native English speaker.
But from where I'm standing, I would still use the word stupid rather than dumb in the context of the sentence.
Maybe it's just me, but reading through all these posts, I get rather confused. I do know that I could use "dumb" as well, but still conceive "stupid" as the more correct answer.
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[Kitosdad]

Failte once again Shyone. English, like most other languages, is constantly undergoing change, and this example is proof of that. I do however agree with Amy as to her interpretation.

Dumb has been used to describe a person as a little stupid for a very long time.
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[Shyone]

Maybe I'm just morbidly old fashioned in this one. I do agree that AmE and English from other countries should be taken into consideration, but on a site like this the emphasis should be consistency. Many people probably have had the same experience that the answer "dumb" has been declared wrong. So now they are using stupid, only to learn that it had been changed? These are the things that have to be considered too.
Especially when it comes to people from countries where learning English is not so common.
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[Alora]

Hi,Mr.Torsten!

Thanks for your twelfth (12th) lesson

I got 9 out of the ten.

Word dumb means : to be unable to speak (to have a problem with voice), or to don't speak English etc.
Word stupid means :to have weak intelligence, bad judgement, bad comunication with other people or to react badly in a new situation etc.

Best Regards
alora

[Sanguan Khiewkhum]

Good afternoon Torsten I'm Sanguan khiewkhum from Thailand. two week ago I'm unhappy beceuse in Thailand many ploblame. and my internet can not conect all website jute can conect now. I don't know how to say stupid but I'thing I'm dumbing.

[Hamed]

Mr Torsten, I could answer 8 of 10 question right and if your aim about feedback is progress my progress is 67 actually i don't know mean's of feedback.
Please tell me mean's of "I've tried those tablets".
Thanks