Construct vs. Construction — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 9, 2024
Construct refers to the action or process of building, creating, or forming something, while Construction is the act of building something or the structure itself.
Difference Between Construct and Construction
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Construct involves the action or process of building, creating, or assembling something, focusing on the method or art of creating complex ideas, structures, or objects. This can be physical, like buildings, or abstract, like mathematical theories. On the other hand, Construction primarily refers to the process involved in making buildings, roads, or other structures and can also denote the structure itself. It implies a larger scale and often involves multiple disciplines including engineering, management, and labor.
While to construct is to engage in the act of creation, emphasizing the planning, designing, and building phases, construction as a noun encompasses both the process and its outcome, such as a building or infrastructure project. Construction projects require careful planning, execution, and supervision to ensure they meet the necessary standards and serve their intended purpose.
In the realm of ideas and concepts, to construct means to form or devise thought constructs, theories, or philosophies. It's about putting together different pieces of information or ideas to create something new or to provide a framework for understanding. Conversely, construction in abstract terms is less commonly used but can refer to the structure or arrangement of such theoretical frameworks or systems, emphasizing their organized form and substance.
The verb construct can be applied in various contexts, from the physical construction of objects to the creation of complex software algorithms or the development of theories. It implies an active, involved process requiring creativity, expertise, and effort. Construction, when used in a similar abstract sense, might focus on the product of such efforts or the field dedicated to this practice, highlighting the industry or discipline's breadth and impact.
In summary, while construct as a verb describes the action of building or creating, construction as a noun often refers to the physical act of building or the structures themselves, with both terms capable of being applied in physical and abstract contexts.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Verb: The act or process of building or creating.
Noun: The act, process, or result of building.
Context
Can be physical or abstract.
Primarily physical, but can refer to abstract structures.
Focus
On the process of creation or formation.
On the process and its outcome, or the field/discipline.
Application
Broad, ranging from tangible objects to theoretical constructs.
Focused on the creation of buildings or infrastructure, and the industry.
Outcome
The creation itself, be it an idea, object, or structure.
The constructed object or structure, or the field of constructing such.
Compare with Definitions
Construct
To build or form by putting together parts; fabricate.
Architects construct models to test their designs.
Construction
A building, structure, or something that has been constructed.
The museum is an impressive construction of glass and steel.
Construct
To create or develop something abstract or complex.
The novelist constructs a vivid world within her books.
Construction
An interpretation or representation, especially in the context of language or logic.
The construction of her argument was particularly persuasive.
Construct
To draw (a geometric figure) by following precise specifications and using appropriate tools and techniques.
The geometry student constructs a triangle using a compass and straightedge.
Construction
The process or art of building something, typically structures like buildings or roads.
The construction of the new bridge will begin next month.
Construct
To formulate or devise a plan or idea.
The committee will construct a strategy for the upcoming project.
Construction
The industry involved in assembling structures from individual components.
He has worked in construction for over twenty years.
Construct
To interpret or assemble something in a structured manner.
The historian constructs a narrative from various primary sources.
Construction
The manner or method in which something is built or formed.
The shed's construction is sturdy and designed to withstand harsh weather.
Construct
To form by assembling or combining parts; build.
Construction
Construction is a general term meaning the art and science to form objects, systems, or organizations, and comes from Latin constructio (from com- "together" and struere "to pile up") and Old French construction. To construct is the verb: the act of building, and the noun is construction: how something is built, the nature of its structure.
Construct
To create (an argument or a sentence, for example) by systematically arranging ideas or terms.
Construction
The act or process of constructing.
Construct
(Mathematics) To draw (a geometric figure) that meets specific requirements.
Construction
The art, trade, or work of building
An engineer trained in highway construction.
Worked in construction for seven years.
Construct
Something formed or constructed from parts.
Construction
A structure, such as a building, framework, or model.
Construct
A concept, model, or schematic idea
A theoretical construct of the atom.
Construction
Something fashioned or devised systematically
A nation that was glorious in its historical construction.
Construct
A concrete image or idea
"[He] began to shift focus from the haunted constructs of terror in his early work" (Stephen Koch).
Construction
An artistic composition using various materials; an assemblage or a collage.
Construct
Something constructed from parts.
The artwork was a construct of wire and tubes.
Loops and conditional statements are constructs in computer programming.
Construction
The way in which something is built or put together
A shelter of simple construction.
Construct
A concept or model.
Bohr's theoretical construct of the atom was soon superseded by quantum mechanics.
Construction
The interpretation or explanation given to an expression or a statement
I was inclined to put a favorable construction on his reply.
Construct
(genetics) A segment of nucleic acid, created artificially, for transplantation into a target cell or tissue.
Construction
(Grammar) An arrangement of words forming a grammatical phrase, clause, or sentence.
Construct
(transitive) To build or form (something) by assembling parts.
We constructed the radio from spares.
A wall constructed of random stones.
Construction
The process of constructing.
Construction is underway on the new bridge.
Construct
(transitive) To build (a sentence, an argument, etc.) by arranging words or ideas.
A sentence may be constructed with a subject, verb and object.
Construction
Anything that has been constructed.
The engineer marvelled at his construction.
Construct
To draw (a geometric figure) by following precise specifications and using geometric tools and techniques.
Construct a circle that touches each vertex of the given triangle.
Construction
The trade of building structures.
He had worked in construction all his life.
Construct
To put together the constituent parts of (something) in their proper place and order; to build; to form; to make; as, to construct an edifice.
Construction
A building, model or some other structure.
The office was a construction of steel and glass.
Construct
To devise; to invent; to set in order; to arrange; as, to construct a theory of ethics.
Construction
(arts) A (usually non-representational) structure, such as a collage etc.
"Construction in string and clockwork" took first prize.
Construct
Formed by, or relating to, construction, interpretation, or inference.
Construction
The manner in which something is built.
A thing of simple construction.
Construct
An abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances
Construction
(grammar) A group of words arranged to form a meaningful phrase.
Construct
Make by combining materials and parts;
This little pig made his house out of straw
Some eccentric constructed an electric brassiere warmer
Construction
The act or result of construing the meaning of something.
American conservatives tend to favor strict construction of the Constitution.
Construct
Put together out of components or parts;
The company fabricates plastic chairs
They manufacture small toys
Construction
The meaning or interpretation of a text, action etc.; the way something is viewed by an observer or onlooker.
Construct
Draw with suitable instruments and under specified conditions;
Construct an equilateral triangle
Construction
(geometry) A geometric figure of arcs and line segments that is drawable with a straightedge and compass.
Construct
Create by linking linguistic units;
Construct a sentence
Construct a paragraph
Construction
The process or art of constructing; the act of building; erection; the act of devising and forming; fabrication; composition.
Construct
Create by organizing and linking ideas, arguments, or concepts;
Construct a proof
Construct an argument
Construction
The form or manner of building or putting together the parts of anything; structure; arrangement.
An astrolabe of peculiar construction.
Construct
Reassemble mentally;
Reconstruct the events of 20 years ago
Construction
The arrangement and connection of words in a sentence; syntactical arrangement.
Some particles . . . in certain constructions have the sense of a whole sentence contained in them.
Construction
The method of construing, interpreting, or explaining a declaration or fact; an attributed sense or meaning; understanding; explanation; interpretation; sense.
Any person . . . might, by the sort of construction that would be put on this act, become liable to the penalties of treason.
Strictly, the term [construction] signifies determining the meaning and proper effect of language by a consideration of the subject matter and attendant circumstances in connection with the words employed.
Interpretation properly precedes construction, but it does not go beyond the written text.
Construction
The act of constructing or building something;
During the construction we had to take a detour
His hobby was the building of boats
Construction
The commercial activity involved in constructing buildings;
Their main business is home construction
Workers in the building trades
Construction
A thing constructed; a complex construction or entity;
The structure consisted of a series of arches
She wore her hair in an amazing construction of whirls and ribbons
Construction
A group of words that form a constituent of a sentence and are considered as a single unit;
I concluded from his awkward constructions that he was a foreigner
Construction
The creation of a construct; the process of combining ideas into a congruous object of thought
Construction
An interpretation of a text or action;
They put an unsympathetic construction on his conduct
Construction
Drawing a figure satisfying certain conditions as part of solving a problem or proving a theorem;
The assignment was to make a construction that could be used in proving the Pythagorean theorem
Common Curiosities
Can construct be used in an abstract sense?
Yes, construct can refer to the creation of abstract ideas, theories, or frameworks.
Is construction limited to physical buildings?
While primarily associated with physical structures, construction can also refer to the organized form of abstract concepts.
Can a construction be an abstract concept?
It's less common, but construction can be used to describe the arrangement or structure of abstract ideas.
How are construct and construction applied in mathematics?
Construct is used to describe the drawing of geometric figures, while construction can refer to the method or result of such activities.
What is the importance of construct in software development?
In software development, construct refers to the creation and assembly of code to form complex programs or algorithms.
How does the verb 'construct' relate to the construction industry?
The verb 'construct' describes the act of building that professionals in the construction industry engage in.
What skills are necessary for construct and construction?
Skills range from technical expertise and creativity for construct to engineering, management, and labor skills for construction.
What distinguishes construct from construction?
Construct is an action or process of building or creating, while construction refers to the act, its outcome, or the field/discipline.
How does construction impact society?
Construction impacts society by shaping the built environment, influencing economic development, and affecting quality of life.
Can construction refer to the process of assembling ideas?
While less common, construction can metaphorically refer to the structured assembly of ideas or arguments.
What roles do planning and design play in construct and construction?
Both planning and design are crucial in the process of constructing and the field of construction, guiding the creation and execution phases.
What is a theoretical construct?
A theoretical construct is an abstract concept developed to explain or represent phenomena in the world, utilized within various academic disciplines.
How do legal frameworks affect construction?
Legal frameworks establish standards, safety regulations, and permits required for construction projects, ensuring they meet societal and environmental standards.
How do construct and construction relate to innovation?
Both terms are integral to innovation, with construct relating to the ideation process and construction to the materialization of innovative ideas.
Are there environmental considerations in construct and construction?
Yes, both the process of constructing and the construction industry face increasing scrutiny for environmental impact, leading to sustainable practices.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
