Shine-shined-shined vs. shine- shone-shone.
(A) Shine =(transitive verb) to make something bright by rubbing it. (shine-shined-shined) “Have you shined your belt? “.the senior police officer asked the new cadet. It’s his practice to shine his shoes well before going to the office. He ironed his shirt and shined his shoes for the interview. The policeman walked along the street ,shining a torch into every car. The soldier shined his sword before entering into the battlefield. (B) Shine =(intransitive verb) -( 1) of the sun or other sources of light )…
Luxuriant vs. Luxurious
Luxuriant = strong in growth, abundant. The luxuriant vegetation of tropical region . Tall, luxuriant plants grew along the river bank. This area gets a lot of rain and covered with luxuriant forest. She had luxuriant hair which fell around her shoulders. This tree has wide-spreading branches and luxuriant foliage. Luxurious = supplied with luxury, very comfortable. She lived in luxurious surroundings. This is a luxury hotel. They spent a luxurious weekend at the Kovalam beach. During the training programme , the company gave them…
Shake hands vs. Handshake
Shake hands = (verb) to hold someone’s hand and move it up and down several times as a way of greeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shook hands with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan when they met at Delhi to discuss the Kerala flood situation. Nice to meet, Tomi said , shaking my hand when I met him at Chicago. People shake hands when meeting with friends and guests. Children should be taught how to shake hands with their friends. He came up and shook hands with…
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.…
Brainchild vs. Brain drain
Brainchild = someone’s idea or invention, especially if successful. This festival celebration was the brainchild of the Corporation mayor. The project was the brainchild of a student. This dance sequence is the brainchild of the assistant director. This method of cultivation is the brainchild of the new agriculture minister. . Brain drain =a movement of a large number of highly skilled or professional people from the country where they were trained to other countries where they can earn more money. The government has done nothing…
Affection vs. Affectation
Affection = gentle lasting love like that of a parent for child. He has a deep affection for his old friends. She doesn’t show any affection for him. They showed a great amount of affection and gratitude for a small favour done by us. An affectionate hug/child. Affectation = behaviour which is not one’s natural manner. She is sincere and quite without affectation. I wore sunglasses and people thought it was an affectation. The way she speaks reeks of affectation. Affected = (adjective) pretended, not…
Housewife, househusband, homemaker.
Housewife =(female) a married woman who doesn’t have a full-time job outside the house. She doesn’t want to give up her job and become a housewife. Most women in Kerala don’t necessarily give up their jobs and become housewives when they get married. Househusband =(male) a husband who stays at home and cleans the house, cooks meals etc while his wife goes out to work. He married a well-qualified nurse working abroad with good salary and perquisites (perks) and now he is a happy househusband. Now-a-days…
Grocery vs.Provisions
Grocery/groceries = items of food sold in a grocer’s shop such as flour ,sugar, tinned food etc. Green grocer = shopkeeper selling vegetables and fruit. Related usages : to the grocer/to the grocer’s = to the grocer’s shop. He has gone to the grocer’s. Similar usages : to the baker/ to the baker’s Are you going to the baker/to the baker’s? to the butcher/to the butcher’s to the doctor/to the doctor’s. Provisions = (plural) supplies of food and other necessary things such buckets,…
Personal vs. personnel
Personal = (adjective) belonging to or affecting a particular person. I don’t want to interfere in her personal matters. He takes personal interest in her progress. Pilgrims are warned to keep their personal belongings with them. . Personnel = (noun , ( sing or plural verb) staff, persons employed in any work, especially public undertakings and Armed Forces. There were 10 airline personnel on the plane when it crashed down. Personnel Manager is one who is in charge of relationship between individual employees, their problems, grievances…
Judicial vs. Judicious
Judicial = relating to the legal system and to judgement made in a court of law. When a lawyer argues in a court of law, it should be within the parameters of judicial system. The protesters demanded a judicial inquiry into the allegations. A decision can be taken only after the judicial proceedings are over. . Judicious = wise, sensible, prudent, logical etc. She was mature enough to make judicious use of the scarce resources. A responsible minister should use public funds judiciously. He made…