IrrumaboMalum t1_j0f8em2 wrote on December 16, 2022 at 5:02 AM

The United States has 46 states and 4 commonwealths, but the distinction is in name only. Governance is the same in both states and commonwealths.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/whats-the-difference-between-a-commonwealth-and-a-state

ScrappleOnToast OP t1_j0fc0x4 wrote on December 16, 2022 at 5:39 AM

So what are you trying to say? 46 states, or 50? It can’t be both.

Wuz314159 t1_j0fdg5z wrote on December 16, 2022 at 5:54 AM

50 states, but only 46 States.

ScrappleOnToast OP t1_j0fdxbe wrote on December 16, 2022 at 5:59 AM

That’s what I read as well.

IrrumaboMalum t1_j0fff5n wrote on December 16, 2022 at 6:16 AM

The United States is comprised of 50 states. 4 of those states (PA, VA, MA and KY) call themselves commonwealths, but there is no legal or functional distinction between a commonwealth and a state. 46 of those states call themselves states.

This is a pretty simple and straight forward answer.

itsallfornaught2 t1_j0jcr9s wrote on December 17, 2022 at 2:03 AM

It's like if states were people. Right...there's 46 people with 4 persons.