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ENGLISCH/754: Questions to Mrs. Gobbledygook (123) avenge/revenge (SB)


QUESTIONS TO MRS GOBBLEDYGOOK


123. Difference between "avenge" and "revenge"



Dear Mrs Gobbledygook

In my dictionary "to avenge oneself" and "to revenge" are translated with the same word in German. "revenge" seems to be a noun in the first place. But I'm not sure in which context or when I should use one or the other? Now, can you help? What is the difference between "avenge" and "revenge"? And if both are the same, what in your opinion is better English?

Yours
Sabine Steininger (Rappottenstein, Austria)


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Dear Mrs Steininger

Well, to illustrate their use I'll take the examples from a story which was the matter of broad interest in the British News some years ago and also in the BBC English-broadcast "Can I help you", which happened to discuss exactly the same question about the difference between "avenge" and "revenge". John Goodman in "Word For Word" mentioned the following story, in which a very rich man had left his wife for another woman. His wife was so angry that she destroyed all his very expensive clothes. Now this is what the newspapers said:

She avenged her husband's leaving by destroying his clothes.

She revenged herself on her husband by destroying his clothes.
(from: BBC Learning English 1986)

Look at the way "avenge" and "revenge" are used. Now, both verbs refer to the act of hurting or punishing someone for something they have done to you. But the patterns of use are different. You "avenge" an act. For example:

She avenged her husband's leaving by destroying his clothes.

But you revenge yourself on someone:

She revenged herself on her husband.

(from: BBC Learning English 1986)

As you mentioned in your letter "revenge" can also be used as a noun. But this is not the case with "avenge". As John Goodman says you are in fact probably more likely to meet revenge used as a noun often with the verb take.

To take your revenge on someone.

She took her revenge on her husband.

"By" and the "-ing-Form" would follow, like in:

Take your revenge on someone by doing something.

She took her revenge on her husband by destroying his clothes.
(from: BBC Learning English 1986)

You can also talk about doing something in revenge or "getting revenge". And whilst we are on the subject of revenge there is also a useful idiomatic expression with the same meaning "to get your own back on someone". But this expression is a bit more conversational. Like in the following chat, about the piece of news, mentioned above:

A: She destroyed his clothes.

B: Poor guy, so why did she do it?

C: Well, she wanted to get her own back on him.

(from: BBC Learning English 1986)

Another idiomatic expression with the same meaning is: "To get even with someone. Or you could say "to even things up" which is also used if you pay your bill.

She wanted to get even with him.

That was quite a shopping tour. I hope my husband will even things up for me. (I hope he will pay all the bills).
(from: BBC Learning English 1986)

As John Goodman in the former broadcast, I'd like to end this letter with a piece of advice from the wild, wild west of America:

Don't get mad - get even!

Yours
Mrs Gobbledygook


23 November 2007