what is the difference of "love" and "in love"?

[Natasha]

is it or is it not the same?

[Sarah]

No, I would say "Love" is somthing far more greater and powerful than "in love".
"in love" to me means desire, or passion, or romance or somthing. Somthing temporary.
"Love" is infinite.
That's my opinion.
Sara

[Shana A]

I think of being in love as what one feels for their partner or potential partner.

Pure love is all encompassing, could be the love you feel for your child, a fellow human, any sentient being, the entire planet...

y2g

[tinkerbell]

You can love your mom, but it'd be weird to be "in love" with her, no?
"In love," as best as I can tell, is deep romantic love, as opposed to a strong caring for someone like the love you have for your mom, sister, brother, or dad.

Also, When you are IN love with soemone you care about them deeply to the point where you don't even want to consider being with anyone else at all.  (in romantic terms that is)

tink

[bethzerosix]

You can love your mom, but it'd be weird to be "in love" with her, no?
"In love," as best as I can tell, is deep romantic love, as opposed to a strong caring for someone like the love you have for your mom, sister, brother, or dad.

Also, When you are IN love with soemone you care about them deeply to the point where you don't even want to consider being with anyone else at all.  (in romantic terms that is)

tink

i agree completely,

plus... being IN love causes more hurt then loving

<----- see new avatar 

[NicholeW.]

What Tink said chimes with me.

N~

[Keira]

Not sure about which one would cause more hurt.
For a child or teens, losing a parent would surely hurt
as much as losing a partner.
I think it depends on the importance of that person in
our lives. If the person you love deeply
is someone who's present
every day in your life. You may not imagine how it is
possible to live without this strong presence.

A deep love removed leaves a deep hole which takes
time to repair.

[bethzerosix]

Not sure about which one would cause more hurt.
For a child or teens, losing a parent would surely hurt
as much as losing a partner.
I think it depends on the importance of that person in
our lives. If the person you love deeply
is someone who's present
every day in your life. You may not imagine how it is
possible to live without this strong presence.

A deep love removed leaves a deep hole which takes
time to repair.

yeah... i see your point.  im just in a bad mood......   

[soldierjane]

Not really, it's just a deficiency of the English language; the difference between filial love, deep romantic affection and sexual infatuation is more apparent in other languages.

[mr_marc]

I've often wondered this, you can love a friend and lover but it isnt the same.
I think to 'love' some one you have that trust and affection towards them.
But to be 'in love' you have the trust and affection which is far more greater. And you have that emotional bond where...they feel like your other half or that certain something that fills the void in your life.

[Lisbeth]

"Love" is ambiguous.  "I love chocolate."  "I love Jesus."  "I love my partners."  Those all mean different things.  "In love" is always romantic love.