Vindicate vs Vindictive
Vindicate = (verb) justify, substantiate, confirm. Vindicate a claim. Vindicate one’s title to a claim. Vindicate the veracity of one’s judgement. Events have vindicated his judgement/action. These discoveries vindicate his theories. (2) To clear of accusation ,blame or doubt with supporting argument/proof. He will be completely vindicated by the evidence. He felt vindicated when the truth became known. . Vindictive = (adjective) unforgiving ,vengeful, disposed to seek revenge. He’s a vindictive man. Her mother-in-law is a vindictive woman who burned all her clothes. ‘ Why…
Able vs Capable
Able = Having the power , means or opportunity to do something. Will you be able to come? They need to be able to irrigate without relying solely on rain water. He has informed his ability to attend the meeting. Capable = Having the ability or fitness or quality necessary to do or achieve a SPECIFIED thing. Show your teacher what you are capable of. He is quite capable of taking care of himself. Only the democratic party is capable of running the administration. Automation…
‘I could eat a horse’ vs. ‘I could have eaten a horse’
I could eat a horse: This is an idiomatic expression. You must use ‘COULD’ (NOT can) when you don’t really mean what you say. We don’t mean that one will eat a horse, it is an exaggerated statement. The following situations relate to ‘NOW’ (i.e. present situations) I could eat a horse! (i.e. I am so hungry and I feel like eating a very large amount of food.) -(present) He is so angry with her. He could kill her! ( i.e. present) He could beat…
Confess somebody vs Confess to somebody
Confess somebody = (of a priest) listen to somebody doing this. The priest confessed the criminal. Confess to somebody= tell a priest what you have done so that you can be forgiven OR admit something to somebody. The criminal confessed to the priest that he had stolen the gold ornaments. Related usages : She confessed to her mother that she had told a lie. (i.e admitted that…..) He has confessed to the priest that he murdered the neighbour. I must confess that the house extension is…
May be vs Maybe
May be = In the phrase ‘MAY BE’ , ‘may’ is a modal verb and ‘be’ is a main verb or auxiliary verb. Here, MAY and BE are two separate words whereas ‘MAYBE’ is one word. There may be a train at 10.00 a.m. He may be waiting for us. The Prime Minister may be addressing the people tomorrow through the media. . Maybe is an adverb and it means the same as ‘perhaps‘. It is written as one word. Maybe she should consult a doctor.…
Grammar tips – Have something vs Do have something
Here the distinction between two usages is clarified. First situation deals with the position at the moment or now and Second position deals with reference to the general position. I haven’t any money. ( by this you mean to say that you have no money right now. Example, you are meeting a friend of yours on the way, and he is in need of some money now.) I don’t have any money. (This doesn’t mean a period ‘right now’. Example, he likes to buy a…
Antics vs Antique
Antics = Foolish or amusing behaviour e.g by a clown at circus etc.( when you pronounce this word give stress at the first syllable.) In the movie the comedian displays his antics and mannerisms. Their physical antics and comic duets made the audience laugh. She had little patience for his antics and stupidity. The antics of our own political parties. The clown’s antics made the children laugh. Antique = Belonging to the past e.g a piece of furniture , a work of art etc. (…
Marital vs Martial
Marital = relating to marriage or the relations between a married couple. She wanted to talk about their marital problems. Marital bliss is the share and care the couple give between them. Strict marital fidelity is essential for a happy married life. Extra-marital relations may spoil the joyful atmosphere in the family. Martial = relating to fighting , war, army. Freedom of press was curtailed to a great extent during martial regime. Martial law. A court martial stripped him of his military rank. The recruits…
Complicity vs. Complexity
Complicity = involvement in a crime or some activity that is wrong. Police suspected his complicity in Billa’s escape. The police are investigating the extent of the manager’s complicity in the fraud. They are accused of complicity in the murder case. His complicity in the bank robbery is the centre point of police investigation. Complexity = the state of being complex or complicated. His dismissal is an issue of great complexity. The complexities of starting an exporting business. Don’t get involved in the project…
Sadism vs. Masochism?
Sadism = the activity of getting pleasure, sometimes sexual, from being cruel or hurting another person. This may be sometimes considered as a mental disorder. The man was a sadist who tortured animals and people. “I am afraid your children will never be safe”, he said with a sadistic smile. The germs of sadism are present even in children; you must have seen children hurting or annoying pet dogs or cats. The villain character in the film burned the shoulder of his newly married wife…