Contemptible vs. Contemptuous
Contemptible :- deserving to be treated with contempt.. She has played a contemptible trick on her friend. He’s a contemptible politician known to take bribes even from poor people. The jury sentenced capital punishment to the contemptible rapist. He’s a contemptible man who won’t appreciate the virtues and exceptional capabilities of others, maybe he is devoid of any of these qualities to his credit. . Contemptuous :- showing contempt. He gave a contemptuous laugh. She talked in a contemptuous tone about the poor local farmers.…
Reminder vs. Remainder
Reminder = something( eg . a letter) that helps someone to remember something; prompting. She hasn’t paid me that money yet – I must send her a reminder. Granny sometimes needed the old reminder. He’ll forget to call the doctor, if I don’t remind him. His stomach growled a reminder that he hadn’t eaten breakfast. His reminder of her failure left a bitter taste to her mouth. . Remainder = (1) the rest ,balance, what is left when a part is taken away. Fifty members…
Needy vs. Needful
Needy = very poor, being in need, lacking the necessities of life. There are many needy people in our village. The government should earmark funds to extend humanitarian assistance to the needy. During the worst flood Kerala has ever witnessed the youngsters went around and collected food and clothes for the needy. The banks should come forward to assist the needy families with interest-free loans for the education of their children. . Needful = what is necessary, requisite. You may forward the application before it…
Master vs. Maestro
Master. 1. male teacher. 2. man who has others working under him. 3. the Master = Jesus Christ. 4. Master of arts/Science etc = holder of the second university degree. 5. (with a boy’s name) up to about 14 years of age. 6. old masters = the great painters of 13th to 17th century. . Maestro = eminent music composer , teacher of music or conductor( Plural – maestri). Johnson( popularly known as Johnson master) was a great maestro and he composed a number…
Prospectus vs. prospects
Prospectus = brochure; a document giving details of a college, school or business and its activities. You will find details of all our courses in the prospectus attached. A school or company prospectus. Prospects = possibilities, future, scope. You should have better job prospects with a post graduate degree in Commerce. The manager held out bright prospects if I would accept the position. The accident darkened his prospects of becoming a good football player. Related words: Prospective = potential, probable, likely to be, with effect…
Useful Idioms – part 3
(1) Make a name for oneself = become famous Balabhaskar made a name for himself as a talented violinist. By the time she was thirty Lagi Varkey made a name for herself as a successful Headmistress. By hard work and determination James made a name for himself and became the best trainer in Engineer’s Driving School. (2) On one’s way up = rising to better and better position. John is definitely on his way up in the financial world. He started as a junior officer and…
Pass away vs Pass out
Pass away= die ( a euphemistic or polite expression) He passed away by a massive heart attack at his house. He amassed a lot of wealth, but unfortunately he passed away even before he could enjoy a bit of it. His unexpected passing away last year left the poor family in great shock and tragedy. He is afraid he won’t be able to pass away peacefully because of his family problems. . Pass out = (1) to become unconscious for a short time; faint. He…
Useful Idioms – part 2
Make it = (1) Be able to be present at a particular event; to manage to arrive on time. We just made it in time for the wedding despite the unexpected harthal. I don’t know whether I will be able to make it to Kochi for the cricket match. I can’t make it to Chicago for the DCP meet. I’m sorry, I can’t make it on Tuesday. Can you make it on Wednesday? I can’t make it tomorrow. (2) to succeed in a particular activity.…
How to avoid sexism and feminism in writing?
SEXISM = discrimination against women, especially the oppression of women by men. FEMINISM = movement for recognition of the claims of women for rights(legal, political etc.) equal to those possessed by men. In the past, when people referred to a member of a group containing both men and women( boys or girls) they used the pronoun he/him/his. A good doctor listens carefully to his patients. Nowadays, many people feel that this usage is unfair to women. If you want to avoid the danger of seeming…
Difference -Mature vs Matured (as adjectives)
Mature(adjective) – fully grown or developed. (NOTE:- when you are talking about people, the usual word is ‘MATURE’ (NOT matured) He’s a mature boy of sixteen ( Not matured). She’s a mature woman. He took a mature decision about the marriage of his daughter. He’s not mature enough to get married. Nehru was a mature political leader. Mature(verb) He felt that he had grown up and matured very much. Boys mature more slowly than girls both physically and psychologically. Mature(adjective-2) The whisky is kept here…