While both "fertile" and "productive" suggest abundance, they apply to different contexts. "Fertile" typically describes land capable of producing abundant plant life, or a person or animal capable of reproducing. "Productive," on the other hand, refers to something that yields a large amount of output or results, in a wide variety of contexts. Let's look at some examples:

Fertile:

• "The fertile soil produced a bountiful harvest." (Meaning: The rich soil led to a large crop yield.)
• "She is in her most fertile years." (Meaning: She is at the peak of her childbearing years.)

Productive:

• "He had a very productive day at work, finishing all his tasks." (Meaning: He achieved a lot during his workday.)
• "The factory is incredibly productive, churning out thousands of products each day." (Meaning: The factory creates a large number of products efficiently.)

Notice that "fertile" is often used in the context of nature and reproduction, whereas "productive" can be applied to a much broader range of subjects, from work performance to factory output. While a fertile field is productive, a productive worker isn't necessarily fertile. The key difference is in the type of abundance being described. Fertility implies the potential for growth and creation, while productivity focuses on the quantity of results achieved.

Happy learning!