Would you be kind enough to tell me which one of the following choices fit the sentence bellow:
Scenario: let's suppose you are informing police about a workshop in which some forgers are making fake money there;
I'm sure; those guys are ……….. money in that workshop.
a) forging
b) counterfeiting
c) fabricating
For me there is no nuance between these three verbs at all; so asking this question I hope I can realize the semantic nuance between these three verbs in usage.
Best Answer
The simplest distinction is between "fabricating" and the others. "Fabricate" in the sense of "manufacture" has no moral or ethical implications, although it can also be used in the sense of making things up and, by implication, lying. A statement which is a fabrication (a lie) would not be called a counterfeit or forged.
"Forge" and "counterfeit" are usually distinguishable
1) In the case of currency, "counterfeit" is the preferred term.
2) In the case of art or signatures, "forge" is used. Here, the personal involvement of the faker is emphasized.
2a) As an exception, a forged work of art is sometimes referred to as counterfeit, such as "a counterfeit Rembrandt". Here, the use emphasizes the work as such, with the exact identity of the forger/counterfeiter being less important.
3) Objects which are not produced to fool the purchaser as to the personal source of the object are generally referred to as counterfeit. An example would be "counterfeit Gucci handbags", since although house Gucci controls the design, no one supposes that Guccio Gucci himself makes any of the products sold.
Note that 3) explains 1). Currency is not produced by individual artists or even Uncle Sam. As such, its impersonal nature of production establishes "counterfeit" as the preferred term for a fake.