Inability vs. Disability?
Inability = lack of ability, incapacity He expressed his inability to accept such a revolutionary idea. I am sorry to inform you my inability to attend the meeting. He is very sad about his inability to help the orphanage. Basically, it was her inability to give the team the best available coaching. Connected usages – able (opposite) unable. I can’t help you! (The most blunt way of refusal of help) I cannot help you. (Moderate way) I am unable to help you (polite way) Disability…
Afterbirth vs. Afterlife?
Afterbirth = the placenta and fetal membranes that are expelled after delivery She arched suddenly and the afterbirth shot out. The afterbirth was large. Afterlife = the life, for example. in heaven which some people believe begins after death He doesn’t believe in an afterlife or immortality. They will be reunited in the afterlife. Most Christians believe in an afterlife of some sort. Do you believe in an afterlife?
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…
Sanction vs. sanctions
Sanction = right or permission given by authority to do something. You can’t translate the book without the sanction of the author and publishers. We received sanction to proceed with our plans. The scheme was sanctioned by the court. Sanctions (Usually plural) = penalty, punishment. (measures taken by a state to coerce another to conform to an international agreement or norms of conduct, typically in the form of restrictions on trade or official sporting participation.) The government of the US decided to bring economic sanctions against Pakistan…
Biannual, annual or biennial?
Biannual = occurring twice a year. The committee published its biannual report as on 30th June and the next report is due by 31st December. (i.e. two reports in a year) Annual = occurring once every year; covering the period of one year. The income tax is computed on the basis of one’s annual income. The Bank employees get reimbursements on the expenses on their annual physical check-up. It’s mandatory for companies to publish annual reports. (i.e. yearly once) Biennial = occurring every two years. (i.e.…
Respectable, respectful and respective?
Respectable = deserving respect. He is a man of respectable appearance. She comes from a highly respectable middle-class family. She established herself as a respectable political leader. Respectful = showing respect. They stood at a respectful distance from the Governor. A uniformed attendant gave us a respectful salute. Above all, try to be respectful and considerate to old people. Respective = relevant; corresponding; appropriate. All are requested to go back to your own respective seats! After the programme, the students went off to their respective…
Incidents vs. incidence
Incident = event, happening which attract general attention. The government regretted the incident. Several people were injured in the incident. Many such incidents go unreported and the guilty escape punishment. Two people were shot yesterday in two separate incidents. Incidence = The rate, or frequency of a disease, crime or other undesirable things. Now there is an increased incidence of cancer among city dwellers. Records prove that there is a high incidence of heart disease in men over 50. High incidence of malaria has been reported in the…
Hippocratic vs. Hypocritical
Hippocratic = of or relating to Hippocrates. Hippocrates is considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine. He is often referred to as the “Father of Medicine”. Hippocratic oath – The oath written by Hippocrates is still held sacred by physicians. This is an oath to observe the medical code of ethical and professional behaviour, sworn by entrants to the medical profession. Hypocritical – of a hypocrite; saying that you have particular moral beliefs but behaving in a way that shows these are not sincere. Hypocrite = A person who puts…
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.
Prepone or Advance?
Postpone(v) = put off until another time. The management decided to postpone the exams to the next month. The meeting was postponed for another week. The members feel it would be wrong to postpone such a crucial debate until some future date. Advance(v) = move forward in time to make it earlier. The date of the meeting was advanced from 20th Dec to 5th Dec. They advanced the date of their daughter’s marriage to January in view of her University exams due in March. [i.e.,…