Asked • 06/25/19

Choosing between 'sobre' and 'acerca de'?

Is there a significant difference between "sobre" and "acerca de", when the intent is to describe the topic of something? Where is "acerca de" a better choice than "sobre", and vice-versa?

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Hortensia C. answered • 03/02/20

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SOBRE

Este nexo se conoce como preposición y sirve de enlace entre dos términos para dar coherencia a la idea expresada.

Ejemplo:

Ella escribió un artículo sobre Colombia

Sobre

También puede ser un prefijo que significa "encima". Expresa abundancia, adición y superioridad. Ejemplos:

sobrecargar

sobreentender

sobrevenir

sobrevivir...


Acerca de




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Claudia R. answered • 06/25/19

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The official RAE (Real Academia Española) officially states that "sobre" and "acerca de" are exact synonyms. Therefore, they are used interchangeably! However, "sobre" can also mean "on top of" so always keep that in mind!


sobre (RAE definition)

  1. prep. Encima de.
  2. prep. acerca de.


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