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 =…
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…
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…
Housemaid, Nursemaid, or Wet Nurse?
Housemaid = Female servant in a house, especially one who cleans rooms etc; domestic help. How did you know I wanted a housemaid? She lives in a modest looking house with a housemaid. Nursemaid = Woman or girl employed to look after babies and small children. When I was a child, my nursemaid sang me lullabies whenever I was worried or afraid. She worked as a nursemaid to the family of a minister. Wet Nurse = woman who cares for and breastfeeds other people’s babies as a…
Nuptial vs. Nuptials
Nuptial (adjective) = of marriage or wedding. They have gone to buy the nuptial dresses for the bride. Nuptial happiness/day/promises/vows. Nuptial festivities. Moments of nuptial bliss. Nuptials (noun) = wedding; marriage. They purchased costly dresses for their daughter’s nuptials. The nuptials between Jayakrishnan and Clara will be solemnised next week. She’s preoccupied with the planning of her nuptials. The royal nuptials are scheduled to take place on June 30.
Purist or Puritan?
Purist = a person who insists on absolute adherence to traditional rules or structures, especially in language or style. stickler, traditionalist. Most purists are fans of traditions and traditional rules. To be a purist is to be a kind of a perfectionist. If you are a language purist, it upsets you to hear someone using bad grammar. A baking purist might feel that cookies made without a certain brand of chocolate chips are vastly inferior. Puritan = person who is strict in morals and religion,…