We can distinguish between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid on the basis of their reaction with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates. Acid reacts with carbonate and hydrogen carbonate to evolve `CO_(2)` gas that turns lime water milky.
`underset("Salt + Water + Carbon dioxide")underset()("Metal Carbonate"//"Metal " underset(darr )("Hydrogencarbonate") + "Carboxylic acid")`
Alcohols, on the other hand, do not react with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates.