A command is an order, or an instruction given to a computer. A comment is a remark or opinion. The general gave the command; she left a comment on the post. Both are nouns and verbs, both begin com-, and they are confused mainly by shape.
The core difference
- command — an authoritative order, control, or a computer instruction. At his command, in command of the ship, the command line, a good command of French.
- comment — a spoken or written remark, often an opinion. No comment, leave a comment, a passing comment.
The tell
Command keeps company with commander, demand and mandate — all about telling. Comment keeps company with commentary and commentator — all about saying. Software has both: you type a command and the program obeys; you write a comment and the program ignores it.
In use
- command — The captain gave the command to fire. Type the command and press enter.
- comment — He made a comment about the weather. Please leave a comment below.
Common slips
- leave a command below → leave a comment below
- the officers issued a comment to withdraw → the officers issued a command to withdraw
Commanders command; commentators comment.
Where the words come from
Command is from Latin commendare, "to entrust", reshaped by mandare "to order" — the same mand as in mandate. Comment is from Latin commentum, "an invention, a contrivance", from comminisci "to devise", which shifted to mean an explanatory note and then any remark.
