The nouns tact and finesse overlap in many ways. Their differences are made visible in how they are used. Tact is often discussed as a thing a person possesses, like a sixth sense for what is appropriate in social setting: He had enough tact to not ask the question in public. Finesse is something that is shown or applied in an action, and this term is not necessarily concerned with social suavity: The author wove together the myriad storylines with great finesse. The artfulness implied in finesse further distinguishes it from tact. While tact implies great sensitivity and empathy, finesse suggests extreme delicacy.

To mourn is to feel or express sorrow or grief over something. The verb lament also conveys sorrow, but sorrow tinged with regret. To lament something is to be deeply saddened by it and, perhaps with a degree of frustration, to wish it were not so. This verb is commonly used to talk about loss, either of people or of items deemed valuable for a specific purpose. One might also lament an unfortunate turn of events.

Something that is done earnestly is done with deep and sincere feeling. Something that is done solemnly is done in a serious, formal, or ceremonial manner, and perhaps also in a way that is legally binding. This somber adverb conveys a sense of weighty importance, and is overwhelmingly used with the verb swear, as in the U.S. presidential oath of office: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”