Confused about when to use the word "hoax"
When someone tells you something that is partially true, can we say it is a hoax?
For example, if some people say a disease is going to kill two million people but the it turns out that the disease had been substantially less deadly than claimed, say two hundred thousand, is it still considered a hoax?
Or we should use the word "hoax" in this situation only if the disease hasn't caused any deaths(or a very small number of deaths)?
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 13
4
This is not exactly the meaning of a hoax. A hoax is intentionally and deliberately to trick someone into believing something that is outright not true. For example, if there was a group of people going around saying they are raising money for a charity dedicated to sick people, and they are tricking people into giving them money, when in fact they are keeping it. This is a hoax. Because they are intentionally tricking people.
2
For your information:
Bron has given you a correct answer: a hoax is a deliberate trick intended to deceive people.
The other two answers you have received are wrong.
1
When someone tells you about something that partially true, its not hoax. Its just an information that not complete. Hoax means that a whole information is not true.
1
Hello, Mohamm
The word hoax is perfectly in context and we use it to refer to a forecast of an event which can't be attained. So if 2 million people were to die and just 200 people did. Then your word usage is correct.
I hope that answers your question. If you'd like to practice speaking, I'd be happy to help you develop a study plan. Feel free to look at my teaching profile and class offerings and send me a message if you think I can help you.
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