Judgment and sensitivity in English

The idea

Sensible means showing good practical judgment; sensitive means easily affected or attentive to feelings.

Examples

• Taking a map was a sensible decision.
• It is sensible to save some money.
• The team made a sensible plan for the storm.
• My skin is sensitive to sunlight.
• This microphone is sensitive to quiet sounds.
• A sensitive reply acknowledged their grief.

Watch out

A person who notices feelings is sensitive, not necessarily sensible.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct word. Wearing waterproof shoes was a ___ choice in the rain. (sensible / sensitive)

   Show answer or example answer

   sensible

   sensible: The shoes are practical for rain.

2. Choose the correct word. This plant is ___ to frost and needs protection. (sensible / sensitive)

   Show answer or example answer

   sensitive

   sensitive: The plant reacts to cold.

3. Choose the correct word. The counsellor gave a ___ response to their grief. (sensible / sensitive)

   Show answer or example answer

   sensitive

   sensitive: The response considers another person’s feelings.

Use it today

Describe a wise choice and something that reacts to light.