Intelligible vs.Intelligent
Intelligible = that can be easily understood ; clear to the mind. When you address primary school students, use only the vocabulary intelligible to them. Due to some interruption in the telephone only some of his words were intelligible. His speech was intelligible even to the laymen. Intelligible speech/explanation. Intelligent = having ,showing intelligence ; brilliant. Reshma is a very intelligent and hard-working girl. He had a few intelligent things to say on the subject. He writes intelligently about the current political situation. An intelligent…
Observation vs. Observance
Observation = (1) the act of closely observing or monitoring someone or something ; scrutiny ; close examination. According to the doctors the patient needs to be under medical observation for a week. Movements of planets are under the close observation of scientists. (2) something that you have learned by seeing or watching and thinking about it. She has good power of observation. This book contains observations about the causes of cancer. The court observed that if bail was granted to the accused, there was…
Terrible vs. Terrific
Terrible = extremely bad or serious, causing great fear or horror. The heat is terrible in Delhi during summer. What terrible food they gave us! His behaviour is terribly bad. The weather in Nagaland is terrible during winter. Terrific = very good, great, causing fear. Mammootty looked absolutely terrific in the movie ” Oru vadakkan veeragadha”. This book is going to have a terrific influence on the youth. They chased the robbers at terrific speed. You have got a terrific opportunity to fly to the…
Satisfactory vs. Satisfying.
Satisfactory = Good enough to be acceptable. Her examination results were not satisfactory. The service in the hotel was not at all satisfactory. The salary they offered was more than satisfactory. You may be dismissed from service if your performance is not satisfactory. . Satisfying = giving pleasure or contentment. For many people , a part-time job can be very satisfying. It’s a most satisfying meal. It can be very satisfying to cook our food ourselves. As far as I am concerned it is very…
Appreciative vs. Appreciable
Appreciative = feeling or showing gratitude, pleasure ; understanding. The opening lecture of his course was listened to by a large and appreciative audience. He was an earnest and appreciative student. I am appreciative of your efforts to improve the lots of orphans. He smiled appreciatively at her. Her novel received a number of appreciative reviews. I am appreciative of the support and help given by you in my extremities. . Appreciable = considerable, substantial, large or important enough to be noticed. Pupils may have…
Exploit(verb) vs. Exploit(noun)
Exploit = (verb) 1- make full use of and derive benefit from (a resource). We should exploit our scarce resources in the most scientific way. The company should try to exploit the new technology for growth and expansion. The government should adopt ways and means to exploit the untapped natural resources. (2) use selfishly for one’s own profits , make use of (a situation) in an unfair way. Some companies are trying to exploit child labour ruthlessly. They exploit the situation through legal loophole. They…
Awesome vs. Awful.
Awesome = amazing, wonderful, extremely impressive, inspiring awe, respect and admiration etc. He has made an awesome achievement. Mary looked awesome in her dress. Science can show us the awesomeness of nature. Nehru Park is a place of awesome beauty. Her performance was awesome! The street is awesomely quiet. Awful = very unpleasant , horrible, terrible, nasty etc. The backyard of his house smelled awful. His handwriting is awful. She has an awful behaviour. The food they served was awesome but the place they selected…
Comprehensive vs. Comprehensible
Comprehensive = complete and including everything that is necessary. This is a comprehensive list of all the important aspects to be considered. This book gives a comprehensive account of the functional aspects of English. The government plans to introduce a comprehensive legislation to safeguard the interests of the migrant labourers. The museum has a comprehensive collection of antiques relating to Tippu Sultan era. Comprehensible = easy to understand , intelligible, able to grasp etc. He explained all the technical details in a language comprehensible to the…
Ultimate, Penultimate, Antepenultimate
Ultimate = (1) being or happening at the end of a process ; final ;last. Their ultimate aim was to conquer the topmost position in the business. The boss will make the ultimate decision who to employ. . (2) the best available of its kind. This restaurant is described as ” the ultimate in luxury”. He is believed to be the ultimate painter of this century. Penultimate = second from the last ; last but one in a series of things. The penultimate chapter of…
Horizon vs. Horizons
Horizon = the line at which the earth’s surface and the sky appear to meet. The sun rose above the horizon. The moon began to rise slowly above the horizon. It’s beautiful to watch the horizon at the sunset. At the sunrise the sun looked like a ball of fire above the horizon. Horizons = (plural) the limit of a person’s knowledge , experience or interest, perception etc. He wanted to change his outlook and broaden his horizons. The discovery will open up new horizons…