Amenable vs. Amendable — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 25, 2023
Amenable means being open and responsive to suggestions, often willing to comply, whereas amendable refers to the capability of being modified, corrected, or altered, usually pertaining to documents or legislation.
Difference Between Amenable and Amendable
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Amenable and amendable, although sounding similar, have different meanings and applications. Amenable is an adjective that describes a person's willingness to respond positively to suggestions, advice, or orders, reflecting openness and responsiveness. It is commonly used to describe people who are cooperative, agreeable, and compliant, depicting a disposition that is accommodating and receptive to guidance or requests.
Conversely, amendable is also an adjective but it relates to the ability or possibility of being changed or modified, often in the context of documents, laws, or agreements. It implies that a text or rule is open to refinement, enhancement, or correction, allowing for alterations to be made to improve or rectify its contents. It is often used in legal and formal contexts to denote the flexibility and adaptability of texts or rules.
Amenable, denoting compliance and agreeability, is applicable in various situations where willingness and openness are paramount. It portrays a character trait of being cooperative and can be used to describe someone’s behavior or attitude in personal, professional, or social settings. It reflects a positive and accepting attitude towards suggestions, instructions, or commands, indicating a likelihood of adherence or acquiescence.
Amendable, focusing on the capability of being modified or corrected, is crucial in contexts where flexibility and adaptability of content are essential. It ensures that texts, rules, or agreements are not rigid or final and can be altered to accommodate new information, requirements, or improvements. It underscores the importance of revisability and adaptability in formal documents or provisions, allowing for evolution and enhancement.
In essence, while amenable reflects a person’s cooperative and receptive disposition, amendable pertains to the adaptability and revisability of documents or rules, emphasizing their capability to undergo modifications or corrections.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Responsive and willing to comply or agree.
Capable of being changed, modified, or corrected.
Context
Describes a person's behavior or attitude.
Often relates to documents, laws, or agreements.
Application
Various situations where willingness is paramount.
Legal and formal contexts requiring flexibility.
Nature
Reflects cooperation and agreeability.
Denotes adaptability and revisability.
Implication
Openness to suggestions, advice, or orders.
Possibility of refinement or correction.
Compare with Definitions
Amenable
Open and responsive to suggestions or advice.
The employee was amenable to the feedback provided by his manager.
Amendable
Capable of being corrected or modified.
The draft is amendable, and we can incorporate your suggestions.
Amenable
Cooperative and willing to adhere to requests or orders.
The team was amenable to the new policies implemented by the company.
Amendable
Open to improvements or refinements.
The proposal is amendable, allowing for adjustments to be made.
Amenable
Reflecting a disposition that is accommodating and receptive.
He has an amenable personality and is well-liked by his peers.
Amendable
Reflecting the possibility of alterations or enhancements.
The contract is amendable, accommodating new terms and conditions.
Amenable
Exhibiting a positive and accepting attitude towards instructions or commands.
The student was amenable to the teacher's instructions and completed the assignment on time.
Amendable
Suitable for revisions to accommodate new information or requirements.
The document is amendable, ensuring its relevance and accuracy.
Amenable
Willing to accept a suggestion or submit to authority
"a class that is all the more amenable to control for living perpetually under the threat of deportation" (Amitav Ghosh).
Amendable
Allowing for changes to be made to improve or rectify its contents.
The legislation is amendable, allowing for updates and refinements.
Amenable
Ready to consent; agreeable
Are you amenable to a change in schedule?.
Amendable
To change for the better; improve
"The confinement appeared to have had very little effect in amending his conduct" (Horatio Alger).
Amenable
Responsible to higher authority; accountable
Amenable to the law.
Amendable
To alter the wording of (a legal document, for example) so as to make more suitable or acceptable.
Amenable
Susceptible or open, as to testing or criticism
"The phenomenon of mind ... is much more complex, though also more amenable to scientific investigation, than anyone suspected" (Michael D. Lemonick).
Amendable
To enrich (soil), especially by mixing in organic matter or sand.
Amenable
Willing to respond to persuasion or suggestions.
Amendable
To better one's conduct; reform.
Amenable
Willing to comply; easily led.
Amendable
Capable of being amended.
Amenable
Liable to be brought to account, to a charge or claim; responsible; accountable; answerable.
Amendable
Capable of being amended; as, an amendable writ or error.
Amenable
(law) Liable to the legal authority of (something).
Decisions of the Boards of Appeal are amenable to actions before the Court of Justice of the European Communities
Amendable
Capable of being corrected by additions;
An amendable flaw
Amenable
Being a locally compact topological group carrying a kind of averaging operation on bounded functions that is invariant under translation by group elements.
Amenable
Easy to be led; governable, as a woman by her husband.
Amenable
Liable to be brought to account or punishment; answerable; responsible; accountable; as, amenable to law.
Nor is man too diminutive . . . to be amenable to the divine government.
Amenable
Liable to punishment, a charge, a claim, etc.
Amenable
Willing to yield or submit; responsive; tractable.
Sterling . . . always was amenable enough to counsel.
Amenable
Disposed or willing to comply;
Someone amenable to persuasion
The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak
Amenable
Readily reacting to suggestions and influences;
A responsive student
Amenable
Liable to answer to a higher authority;
The president is amenable to the constitutional court
Amenable
Willing to comply with or agree to.
She was amenable to the changes suggested in the meeting.
Common Curiosities
Does amendable imply that a document or law is open to refinement or correction?
Yes, amendable implies that a document, law, or agreement is open to refinement, enhancement, or correction.
Can amenable be used to describe someone's behavior or attitude?
Absolutely, amenable is often used to describe a person’s behavior or attitude, indicating their openness, cooperativeness, and responsiveness.
Can amendable apply to contracts and agreements?
Yes, amendable can apply to contracts and agreements, denoting that they can be altered to accommodate new terms and conditions.
Is amendable used to describe something that can be modified?
Yes, amendable refers to something that is capable of being changed, modified, or corrected, usually pertaining to documents or legislation.
Can being amenable be considered a positive character trait?
Yes, being amenable is generally considered a positive character trait as it reflects a cooperative, agreeable, and accommodating disposition.
Does amenable indicate a likelihood of adherence or acquiescence?
Yes, amenable indicates a likelihood of adherence or acquiescence to suggestions, instructions, or commands.
Does amenable refer to a person's willingness to comply?
Yes, amenable refers to a person's willingness to comply, being open and responsive to suggestions, advice, or orders.
Is amendable typically used in formal or legal contexts?
Yes, amendable is often used in formal or legal contexts where flexibility and adaptability of texts, rules, or provisions are crucial.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
