Let's say I am going on vacation. And I am planing to spend my vacation by the sea. Is there any difference between the following sentences?
I am going to the seaside.
I am going to the sea.
Difference in Meaning – ‘Go to the Seaside’ vs. ‘Go to the Sea’
differencephrase-choice
Related Solutions
Yes, these are quite different:
We don't exchange gifts so much for Christmas in Japan.
"We don't often exchange gifts for Christmas in Japan"
We don't exchange so many gifts for Christmas in Japan.
"We do exchange gifts, but not as many gifts (as they do in other countries)."
In the first sentence "so much" refers to an amount so the listener connects it to the custom of giving gifts, how often it's practiced. In the second sentence "so many" refers to a countable quantity so the listener connects it to the number of gifts given.
By the way, I don't think either of these sentences is incorrect, and I understand the intended meaning of both, but to me the word order does not feel completely natural. A more natural way to say each would be:
In Japan, we don't usually give gifts for Christmas.
In Japan, we don't give (as) many gifts for Christmas.
I would say they are pretty close, but a seaside resort might encompass more than a beach. So, you might have taken a seaside vacation, and never felt the beach sand between your toes. Instead, you might have participated in activities such as golf:
Your second sentence, therefore, is more specific, and makes it clear that you weren’t merely at the seaside, but on the beach:
Best Answer
The first is standard. You say you are planning to spend your vacation by the sea. The seaside is by the sea. So you are going to the seaside. 'Seaside towns' are towns by the sea.
If you are playing on a sandy beach and have built a castle, the moat will need to be filled with water. Before toddling to the water's edge with your bucket you might tell your playmates,
"I'm going to the sea."
Only when we are going right to the water's edge do we use that expression.
By the way, if you say you are going to sea it means you are about to sail away for a long period; or that you're joining the navy or becoming a pirate.