Answer
May 06, 2018 - 05:01 AM
Most people almost always confuse the two words. Normally when you read a sentence that says, "I can't phantom the thought.", they really mean to say, "I can't fathom the thought."
A phantom is a ghost of a sort, (Think phantom of the opera.)
A fathom on the other hand, is unit of measurement or a measure of depth.
To fathom something is to understand it thoroughly, and is usually used in the negative.
For example: "I can't fathom why he
doesn't want to go the park with us."
Fathom is from Middle English fadme, from Old English fæthm meaning "outstretched arms." To understand something thoroughly is to get to the bottom of it.
However, fathom is often used to describe the inability to understand the depth of something and is the proper word to use in this case.
When you can’t understand something or unable to get to the bottom of something, you should say “I can’t fathom the thought.” “Phantom” is not a verb. It is a noun.
A phantom is a ghost of a sort, (Think phantom of the opera.)
A fathom on the other hand, is unit of measurement or a measure of depth.
To fathom something is to understand it thoroughly, and is usually used in the negative.
For example: "I can't fathom why he
doesn't want to go the park with us."
Fathom is from Middle English fadme, from Old English fæthm meaning "outstretched arms." To understand something thoroughly is to get to the bottom of it.
However, fathom is often used to describe the inability to understand the depth of something and is the proper word to use in this case.
When you can’t understand something or unable to get to the bottom of something, you should say “I can’t fathom the thought.” “Phantom” is not a verb. It is a noun.
Add New Comment