Adopted and Adoptive
The difference between adopted and adoptive is best explained with a simple example:
Mr Smith says, "Sarah is my adopted daughter."
Sarah says, "He is my adoptive father."
Mr Smith says, "Sarah is my adopted daughter."
Sarah says, "He is my adoptive father."
Adopted
The adjective adopted pertains to the person who has been adopted. For example:- Charles loved his adopted daughter as if she were his own.
Adoptive
The adjective adoptive pertains to the person who has adopted. For example:- Rebecca loved her adoptive father as if he were her own.
A Short Video on Adopted and Adoptive
More Formal Definitions of Adopted and Adoptive
Adoption is the act of legally placing a child with parents (or parent) who are not its natural parents. It has the effect of severing the parental responsibilities and rights of the birth parents and transferring them to the adoptive parents. The child is said to be adopted. The adopted child has two sets of parents: its natural parents and its adoptive parents.Use Adopted or Adoptive with Places
It's easier with places because you can use adopted or adoptive. For example:- England is his adopted/adoptive country. (Both are acceptable, but adopted is much more common.)
A Quick Test
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?