Discover vs. Invent

Are you ready to learn about the slight differences between 'discover' and 'invent'? How is a discovery different from an invention technically?

What is Their Main Difference?

Both of these words refer to something new. However, 'discover' points out finding something that already existed, but nobody was aware of it. 'Invent', on the other hand, refers to creating something based on your ideas.

Differences

As stated above, 'discover' is used when we want to point out that something has been found. Nobody knew where it was or that it even exited, but it did. Check out the following examples:

Mom, I think I discovered a treasure underneath the house.

It looks like scientists have discovered a Tyrannosaur the size of a Chihuahua.

'Invent', however, is used to show that someone or a group of people have created something for the first time. It is based on their ideas. It is brought into existence. Look at the following examples:

Me and my classmate have invented a machine for collecting rubbish from on the streets.

Who invented the first car?

Similarities

They are similar in that they both talk about something new. Look at the following examples:

I'm not really interested in what scientists discover.

The one who invented mobile phones must've been a genius.

Are They Interchangeable?

Since they have different meanings, they cannot be used interchangeably because each sentence will have a completely different meaning. Compare:

Have scientists discovered a plastic-eating bacteria?

Here, the bacteria existed before and the scientists have recognized it.

Have scientists invented a plastic-eating bacteria?

Here, a new thing/creature has been brought into existence.

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