Obsequious vs Obsequies
Obsequious = (adjective) polite in an unpleasant and insincere way from the hope of reward or advantage ; servile The obsequious servants competed among themselves to please the snobbish rich man. The sweeper is embarrassingly obsequious to the manager. They were served by obsequious waiters. Obsequies = ( noun, pl) funeral ceremonies. They were ostentatiously solemnizing the obsequies of the departed monarch. A large congregation thronged to the Cathedral for the obsequies of the president. The murder victim’s father was the chief mourner at the…
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…
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 =…
What’s bottom-line
Bottom line(1) = The last figure on a financial profit and loss statement or on a bill. What is the bottom line? How much do I owe you? Don’t tell me all those figures. Just tell me the bottom-line. What is the bottom line for this quarter? . Bottom line(2) = the final result, outcome, decision or the most important point. The bottom line is that the chairman wants to dictate all of the Board’s decisions. The bottom line ,however, is that he has escaped.…
Vindicate vs Vindictive
Vindicate = (verb) justify, substantiate, confirm. Vindicate a claim. Vindicate one’s title to a claim. Vindicate the veracity of one’s judgement. Events have vindicated his judgement/action. These discoveries vindicate his theories. (2) To clear of accusation ,blame or doubt with supporting argument/proof. He will be completely vindicated by the evidence. He felt vindicated when the truth became known. . Vindictive = (adjective) unforgiving ,vengeful, disposed to seek revenge. He’s a vindictive man. Her mother-in-law is a vindictive woman who burned all her clothes. ‘ Why…
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…