Obsequious vs Obsequies
Obsequious = (adjective) polite in an unpleasant and insincere way from the hope of reward or advantage ; servile The obsequious servants competed among themselves to please the snobbish rich man. The sweeper is embarrassingly obsequious to the manager. They were served by obsequious waiters. Obsequies = ( noun, pl) funeral ceremonies. They were ostentatiously solemnizing the obsequies of the departed monarch. A large congregation thronged to the Cathedral for the obsequies of the president. The murder victim’s father was the chief mourner at the…
Useful ACRONYMs
Some useful ACRONYMs related to educational pursuits and their shortest explanations. ACRONYM = an abbreviation from the initial letters of the words. LPSA = Lower primary School Assistant.( LP teacher) UPSA= Upper Primary School Assistant.(UP teacher) HSA = High School Assistant.(High School teacher) HSST= Higher Secondary School Assistant.(Higher Secondary School teacher) CBSE= Central Board of Secondary education. GRE= Graduate Record Examinations. This is the gateway to higher studies in the US. CAT = Common Admission Test, the most popular examination for MBA admissions. CMAT =…
What’s bottom-line
Bottom line(1) = The last figure on a financial profit and loss statement or on a bill. What is the bottom line? How much do I owe you? Don’t tell me all those figures. Just tell me the bottom-line. What is the bottom line for this quarter? . Bottom line(2) = the final result, outcome, decision or the most important point. The bottom line is that the chairman wants to dictate all of the Board’s decisions. The bottom line ,however, is that he has escaped.…
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…
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.…
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…