Fictitious vs. fictional

[Minor]

Common Errors in English, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #11 "Adjectives and Verbs", question 6

He based his behaviour on the fictitious character Mr Micawber, who was never able to pay his bills.

(a) based
(b) fictitious
(c) able
(d) bills

Common Errors in English, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #11 "Adjectives and Verbs", answer 6

He based his behaviour on the fictional character Mr Micawber, who was never able to pay his bills.

Correct entry: fictional
The error was: (b) fictitious
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the word fictitious is written ok

Minor

[Alan]

Hi,

Both adjectives have a common origin in the word 'fiction' and the meanings often overlap but in the sentence in the test reference is made to a character from a work of fiction by the novelist, Charles Dickens. It makes sense in that particular case to use the word 'fictional'. Fictitious has the sense of imaginary often with the idea of false, not genuine or fake as in: The tax inspector didn't believe the calculations made by the company as in his opinion they were not accurate but entirely fictitious.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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