Beseech vs. Beg — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 6, 2024
Beseech implies a formal or earnest request, often with dignity, whereas beg suggests desperation or urgency without formality.
Difference Between Beseech and Beg
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Beseech is often used in formal contexts or literary expressions to denote a polite or earnest plea, typically conveying a sense of respect or solemnity. On the other hand, beg is commonly used in everyday situations and implies a more urgent or desperate request, often associated with immediate need or distress.
Beseech may be employed when one is seeking favor or permission in a respectful and dignified manner, making it suitable for solemn or serious situations. Whereas, beg is frequently used in scenarios of poverty or when one is imploring for mercy, where the tone can be more abject or humble.
In literature, beseech is often found in dramatic or classical settings, enhancing the formal quality of dialogues. Conversely, beg appears more in contemporary narratives, fitting into dialogues that reflect dire circumstances or critical needs.
When using beseech, the speaker often maintains a level of dignity or authority, despite being in a position of requesting. In contrast, using beg can suggest a lower status or diminished self-esteem, as it carries a connotation of subservience or desperation.
The emotional undertone of beseech is generally solemn and earnest, aimed at evoking a sense of gravity in the listener. Meanwhile, the emotional charge of beg is often raw and immediate, driven by acute necessity or dire straits.
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Comparison Chart
Formality
Formal and dignified
Informal and urgent
Usage Context
Literary, formal speeches
Everyday language, desperate pleas
Emotional Tone
Solemn, respectful
Desperate, urgent
Connotation
Respectful request
Abject or humble plea
Common Settings
Dramatic, classical settings
Scenarios of immediate need
Compare with Definitions
Beseech
To request earnestly or desperately.
They beseeched help from the passersby.
Beg
To implore urgently.
She begged him to go faster.
Beseech
To plead or beg for something earnestly.
He beseeched her forgiveness.
Beg
To evade or dodge (a question).
He always begs the issue during discussions.
Beseech
To appeal solemnly.
The villagers beseeched the gods for a bountiful harvest.
Beg
To take for granted without basis or justification, as in a line of argument.
This argument begs the question of whether he was even present.
Beseech
To make an earnest appeal or plea.
The knight beseeched the king for mercy.
Beg
To ask for something earnestly or humbly.
He begged for another chance.
Beseech
To ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something; implore; entreat.
She beseeched him to stay.
Beg
To ask (someone) to give or do something; implore.
They begged us for help.
Beseech
Beseech is a gothic metal band from Borås, Sweden. They disbanded in 2006, and re-formed with a different line-up at the end of 2013.
Beg
To ask (someone) for something in an urgent or humble manner
Begged me for help.
Begged me to give him the phone number.
Beseech
To address an earnest or urgent request to; implore
Beseech them for help.
Beg
To ask for (something) in an urgent or humble manner
Beg someone's forgiveness.
Beg a favor.
Beseech
To request earnestly; beg for
"She unnerved him by receiving him in bed, bursting into tears, and beseeching his pardon" (Leo Damrosch).
Beg
To ask for (food or money, for instance) as a beggar.
Beseech
To beg or implore a person
Beg
To ask (permission) to do something
Begged leave to attend the ceremony.
Beseech
To request or beg for
Beg
To evade; dodge
A speech that begged the real issues.
Beseech
(archaic) A request.
Beg
To take for granted without proof
Beg the point in a dispute.
Beseech
To ask or entreat with urgency; to supplicate; to implore.
I beseech you, punish me not with your hard thoughts.
But Eve . . . besought his peace.
Beg
To ask for something, especially money or food from strangers, in an urgent or humble manner.
Beseech
Solicitation; supplication.
Beg
To live as a beggar.
Beseech
Ask for or request earnestly;
The prophet bid all people to become good persons
Beg
To make an urgent or humble plea
Beg for mercy.
Beg
(intransitive) To request the help of someone, often in the form of money.
He begged on the street corner from passers-by.
Beg
(transitive) To plead with someone for help, a favor, etc.; to entreat.
I beg your pardon. I didn’t mean to cause offence.
He begged her to go to the prom with him.
Beg
(transitive) To unwillingly provoke a negative, often violent, reaction.
Beg
(transitive) In the phrase beg the question: to assume.
Beg
In the phrase beg the question: to raise (a question).
Set aside
Beg
To ask to be appointed guardian for, or to ask to have a guardian appointed for.
Beg
The act of begging; an imploring request.
Beg
A provincial governor under the Ottoman Empire; a bey.
Beg
A title of honor in Turkey and in some other parts of the East; a bey.
Beg
To ask earnestly for; to entreat or supplicate for; to beseech.
I do beg your good will in this case.
[Joseph] begged the body of Jesus.
Beg
To ask for as a charity, esp. to ask for habitually or from house to house.
Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Beg
To make petition to; to entreat; as, to beg a person to grant a favor.
Beg
To take for granted; to assume without proof.
Beg
To ask to be appointed guardiln for, or to aso to havo a guardian appointed for.
Else some will beg thee, in the court of wards.
Beg
To ask alms or charity, especially to ask habitually by the wayside or from house to house; to live by asking alms.
I can not dig; to beg I am ashamed.
Beg
Call upon in supplication; entreat;
I beg you to stop!
Beg
Make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently;
Henry IV solicited the Pope for a divorce
My neighbor keeps soliciting money for different charities
Beg
Ask to obtain free;
Beg money and food
Common Curiosities
Can beseech and beg be used interchangeably?
While they can be similar in meaning regarding requests, beseech carries a formal tone, making it unsuitable for casual use where beg is typically employed.
In what type of literature is beseech more likely to appear?
Beseech is more common in classical or dramatic literature due to its formal tone.
What does it imply about the speaker when they use beg?
Using beg can imply that the speaker is in a desperate state or a position of lower status.
What emotional responses do beseech and beg aim to evoke in the listener?
Beseech aims to evoke a response of respect and consideration due to its solemn and respectful tone, whereas beg seeks to evoke sympathy or immediate action due to its urgent and humble tone.
What is the primary difference in formality between beseech and beg?
Beseech is more formal and dignified, while beg is more informal and often denotes urgency or desperation.
How do the implications of power dynamics differ when using beseech vs. beg?
Beseech implies a balance of power, as it maintains the dignity of the requester; beg often implies a lower power dynamic, indicating vulnerability or desperation.
Is there a difference in the urgency conveyed by beseech and beg?
Yes, beg conveys more urgency and a pressing need, while beseech conveys earnestness without necessarily an immediate urgency.
Is it appropriate to use beseech in everyday conversation?
Beseech might sound overly formal for everyday use and is better suited for solemn or serious contexts.
Are there specific settings where it is more appropriate to use beseech than beg?
Beseech is more appropriate in formal settings or when a respectful appeal is needed, such as in ceremonies or formal requests, while beg is suitable in situations of dire need or personal distress.
Can the use of beseech be perceived as outdated in modern language?
Yes, in everyday speech, beseech might be considered archaic or overly formal, better suited to literary or historical contexts.
How do the verb forms of beseech and beg differ in construction?
Beseech is typically followed by direct object and infinitive constructions (e.g., beseech someone to do something), while beg can also be used with direct objects but often appears with simple forms (e.g., beg for help).
How do historical contexts influence the usage of beseech and beg?
Historically, beseech has been used in more formal, often religious or royal contexts, reflecting a higher register of language, while beg has been commonly used in everyday language among all social classes.
What synonyms would you suggest for beseech and beg that maintain similar formalities?
For beseech, synonyms like implore or entreat maintain the formality; for beg, synonyms like plead or appeal might be less formal but similar in urgency.
How does the choice between beseech and beg affect the perception of a character in storytelling?
Characters who beseech are often viewed as noble or dignified, maintaining their status even in plea, whereas characters who beg are seen as more vulnerable or in a state of desperation, which can affect audience empathy and character development.
Can beseech and beg be used in legal or academic contexts, and how?
In legal or academic contexts, beseech might be used rhetorically to emphasize a serious request or appeal, while beg would be less appropriate due to its informal and urgent connotations.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
