subvert vs undermine

[Pebbles]

hi,
can i interchange these words? they appear to be same,meaning -wise... but i am not sure.
will be glad if i can have some inputs.

[Mister Micawber]

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The first is of Latin origin; the second is from Middle or Old English. As such, 'subvert' has a sophisticated subtlely about it, while 'undermine' is more heavy-handed.
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_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber

[Pebbles]

thanks micawber.
undermine does sound a strong word.but then i should have been more specific...what i meant was,you routinely hear about,"he/she is "undermining" my authority', but u don't hear ..."subverting" my authority'....wondering if i can interchange them in this context....

[Alan]

Hi Pebbles,

The trouble with English is that there are so many similar words in English coming from different languages that it's difficult to make a distinction. You are right in suggesting 'undermine authority' gives the sense of trying to weaken someone else's authority. 'Subvert' is a much more devious method of doing this and is used with expressions like 'subvert the course of justice' whereby somebody tries in an underhand way to stop a legal process following the usual path.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A day in the life of a parliamentary candidate

[Pebbles]

thanks alan !

the difference is much clearer now.i was a bit confused earlier....but guess these distinctions make the language so much more richer.
thanks again...