Focus on Adjectives Ending in -ic and -ical

Many adjectives end in either '-ic' or '-ical'.

Examples of Adjectives Ending In '-ic'

• athletic
  
• energetic
  
• prophetic
  
• scientific

Example Sentences

• The boys are very athletic and play a variety of sports.
  
• I didn't realize you were so energetic! You've completed 10 exercises in the last hour.
  
• His writings were very prophetic and some think show the way of the future.
  Many feel that the only valid way to learn is the scientific approach.

Examples of Adjectives Ending In '-ical':

• magical
  
• diabolical
  
• cynical
  
• musical

Example Sentences

• We had a magical evening at the concert.
  
• His political use of the military was diabolical.
  
• I wish she weren't so cynical. I don't know whether I can believe anything she says.
  
• Timothy is quite musical and plays the piano well.

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Adjectives and Adverbs: A Guide to Usage

By Kenneth Beare

An extension of the adjective ending '-ical' is the adjective ending in '-logical'. These adjectives tend to be used with scientific and medical-related terms.

Examples of Adjectives Ending In '-logical':

• psychological
  
• cardiological
  
• chronological
  
• ideological

Example Sentences

• The psychological study of patients has led to many helpful discoveries.
  
• The cardiological unit of the hospital has saved many lives.
  
• The chronological listing of each King's reign can be found on page 244.
  
• Many feel that an ideological approach to our political problems will not solve anything.

There are a few cases in which both adjective endings are used with slight changes in meaning. Here are some of the most common:

Economic /Economical

• economic = relating to economics and finance
  
• economical = money-saving, frugal

Example Sentences

The economic picture looks pretty depressing for the next few quarters.
It's economical to reuse your banana peels as compost.

Historic/Historical

• historic = famous and important
  
• historical = dealing with history

Example Sentences

The historic Battle of the Bulge was fought in Belgium.
The historical significance of Da Vinci's writings was discussed in Peter Gould's essay.

Lyric /Lyrical

• lyric = relating to poetry
  
• lyrical = resembling poetry, musicality, etc.

Example Sentences

Lyric poetry reading can help you find the music of everyday language.
His lyrical approach to scientific writing help to popularize the subject.