* Amend is used for improving something by adding or changing parts. It often implies making something better, more complete, or more accurate. Think of it as making a *positive* change.
* Example: "The government amended the law to include more environmental protections."
* Emend is used for correcting errors or mistakes in a text. It focuses on making something more accurate or faithful to the original. Think of it as fixing an *error*.
* Example: "The editor emended the manuscript to remove grammatical errors."
In summary:
* Amend is used for making *improvements* and is often broader in scope.
* Emend is used for making *corrections* and is more specific to written works.
While they are often used interchangeably, using "emend" for correcting errors and "amend" for making improvements generally provides more clarity and precision in your writing.