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position v.s. location
2

position v.s. location

position v.s. location

(OP)
I have been working as a project translator for years in the petrochemical industry in China. However distinguishing position and location always makes me headache, it's hard for me (possibly for all chinese) to tell the nuance, is anyone able to offer tips? thanks!

RE: position v.s. location

(OP)
sorry I classified my thread wrongly. I am asking for tips instead of giving the tip! Administrator can correct it if necessary.

RE: position v.s. location

As a NOUN, position can have several meanings.

One of the meaning of position is exactly the same as location.

A second meaning is "a state of mind or principle".  "It is the Pope's position that abortion is a sin."

A third meaning is to descibe a body posture.  "A seated position", "a standing position".

Position can also be used as a VERB.  "Position that chair next to the table."

RE: position v.s. location


Other meanings of position from a dictionary:

• job or activity, as in niche
• relative order
• status, as in exalted position
• ranking on a scale, as in rating
• defined location, as with coordinates
• in a specified direction, as in orientation
• relative to one's surroundings, as in bearings
• in accurate relation to something else, as in alignment

RE: position v.s. location

As a NOUN, position can have several meanings.
One of the meaning of position is exactly the same as location.


I agree, but think there is a nuance of usage depending on how mobile the object is, so we might talk about the position of your car and the location of Mt. Everest.

I'd say a location is a fixed place.
I'd say a position is a variable place.

I don't say this is a hard and fast rule, just a shade of difference in the usage of the words.

If I were undertaking a known journey and somebody asked my location, I would be more inclined to give a fairly precise geographic answer - the location at the time they asked, whereas if somebody asked my position I might say which road I was on, as my position changes with time.

That may be a personal thing or it may have something to do with a difference between the words.

RE: position v.s. location

Crystal,

I agree with the movable vs immovable distinction.

Actually I was going to add that nuance with a very similar analogy - except I was planing to use the Empire State Building as an example.

RE: position v.s. location

This is the right place to ask for help.  Welcome.

RE: position v.s. location

Being a Scandinavian and not having English as my native language I woold also add as a suggestion for engineering purposes:

Position no -> for numbering or differing a list of objects or components

Location - > to describe  where the components are going to be/are mounted or physically found (further decribed with for instance tag numbers, stock location details, drawing details, factory/process location details etc.)

RE: position v.s. location

position also can refer to the orientation of something.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies:  FAQ731-376

RE: position v.s. location

2

projectranslator,

Since I dance, when I read your question, I immediately thought of comparing it to choreography.
  
In dance, my position describes the aspects of my body.  Are my arms down or up?  Is my weight on my right or left foot?  Am I facing the audience, or tuned in profile?

My location is where I am on the stage.  Am I to the front (downstage) or to the rear (upstage).  Am I in the second row of dancers or front and center, etc?  

My body position is independent of my location.  I can have the same position in an infinite number of locations.   I can have my arms up, looking left with my head with my weight on my right foot if I am in the front, facing the audience, or if I am in the back row facing stage left.



"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

RE: position v.s. location

My description is similar to many above.  Location is a point in two dimensional or three dimentional space.  As for position, I agree with HgTX - orientation.  I like casseopeia's visuals also.

The word position has many other meanings out of the context of this discussion.  Location, not so many.

RE: position v.s. location

But "position" can also be used to mean "location".

Hg

Eng-Tips policies:  FAQ731-376

RE: position v.s. location

(OP)
[b]lol:[b/]so many replies turned up when i was asleep! (time zone difference). Love you all!
Above replies are very impressive, especially casseopeia's one. Now I think I have got a key to the lock!

RE: position v.s. location

I like all of the above explanations and would add one thing:  locate when used as a verb also seems to relate a fixed point relative to another, such as locating a hole 3" from the edge.  When position is used as a verb, it seems to relate a temporary point in space and leaves me with the notion that its position may change at any time.  Some examples:
"The lever should be positioned away from the operator." (temporary)
"Locate the notch 2.5cm from the exterior face." (permanent)
"Position the cat so that you are out of its clawing range." (temporary)
"The HMI screen should be located near the controls." (permanent)

An exception (as there are always exceptions):
"When you locate the forklift driver, send him over here." (temporary)

Robert

RE: position v.s. location

Star to you casseopeia.

That is a very good analogy. May I use it?

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."   
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: position v.s. location


Thanks ashereng!  I've had such a bad week and your purple star turned it all around.

Please, use it anytime.

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

RE: position v.s. location

What position is the subject at that location?

Locate it into the assembly at a right position.

Locate it into the assembly at a right location.


?????

Forever Young

RE: position v.s. location

casseopeia,

You are welcome. Glad to help.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."   
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: position v.s. location

Quote:

What position is the subject at that location?

Locate it into the assembly at a right position.

Locate it into the assembly at a right location.


?????

Not quite.  When you position something, you put into its proper position; you're moving it.  But when you locate something, you're *finding* it, not moving it.  You can just use "put" where you have "locate" above.  You could also use "position", but the verb for "position" definitely involves not only putting the thing at the right coordinates but orienting it in the right direction etc.  

(Again, though, the NOUN "position" CAN be used to mean merely location without all the other aspects such as orientation and arrangement of parts.  It's probably better, though, to maintain the distinction as Casseopeia explained it.)

Also "at a right position/location" isn't quite right either.  You can say "at THE right position/location".  To be able to use "a" there, you couldn't use "right"; I can't explain why.  You could use "correct" or "proper" there.  (Can anyone else explain why "right" needs a definite article while "correct" and "proper", seemingly synonyms, don't?)

Hg

Eng-Tips policies:  FAQ731-376

RE: position v.s. location

lo·cate (l?'k?t', l?-k?t')

v., -cat·ed, -cat·ing, -cates.

v.tr.

3. To place at a certain location; station or situate: locate an agent in Rochester.

RE: position v.s. location

(OP)
great comments, HgTX!
Actually I am confused by Right/Correct/Proper/Appropriate too.

RE: position v.s. location

To me, position is local, location is geographic. As affirmed by casseopeia.

RE: position v.s. location

I would like to be positioned at a homesite as my primary, secondary, or even tertiary residence that satisfies the the three most important aspects of real estate.

Projectranslator;  If you are not familiar with these 3, here is a hint:  each of the 3 use only one word which is common to all 3 and the word starts with the letter "L".

I trust that I am not being to horribly banal but just couldna resist joining in the fun.

Thanks for all the interesting posts and no wonder your head hurts Projectranslator!  Mine is throbbing a bit too.

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