difference between stand and withstand

[Mordant]

Remula, it is a pleasure.

[TutorPhil]

It also seems that "to stand" would mostly refer to people:

I can't stand this sentence.

But "to withstand" could be used more readily with inanimate objects:

The bridge couldn't withstand the heavy traffic.

Phil
wwwTutorPhil.com

[Mordant]

That is true. Also, where the person is a direct object, "stand" would be far more common and sensible.

[Remula]

I often met withstand refering to human: A person can't withstand such a disaster ....

Many thanks, Mordant and Phil :)

[Mordant]

Remula, "withstand" is very common with people. TutorPhil merely pointed out that "stand" occurs more often when a person is the subject. I pointed out that the object of withstand is rarely a person. In your sentence, the person is the subject.

[Remula]