20 Tricky Word Usages It is of interest

20 Tricky Word Usages “It is of interest to note that while some dolphins are reported to have learned English -- up to fifty words used in correct context -- no human being has been reported to have learned dolphinese. ” ~Carl Sagan (1934 - 1996)

all ready vs. already all ready – pronoun (all) + adjective modifier (ready) Ø They were all ready to go dancing. already Ø – an adverb denoting time The pie was already baked.

all together vs. altogether all Ø together – gathered in a group The Write Place staff were all together suffering through another Power. Point. Altogether Ø – adverb meaning “completely” The Power. Point presentation was altogether mind-numbing.

allude vs. elude allude Ø In demonstrating the Write Place culture, he alluded to the finger puppets in the Bistro. Elude Ø – make a quick reference to – to evade or avoid “I eluded Carol by hiding in the bathroom, ” said Jake.

alternately vs. alternatively alternately – adverb denoting time, meaning “by turns” Ø When making mayonnaise, add oil and lemon juice alternately. Alternatively – adverb denoting “by way of an alternative” Ø You can create a handout or, alternatively, you can wash the coffee cups.

amoral vs. immoral amoral – an amoral person, action, or thing is one for which the whole concept of morality is foreign or irrelevant Ø The sociopathic murderer is amoral. OR A devastating hurricane is amoral. immoral – doesn’t measure up to cultural standards of morality Ø Unmarried women who had children used to be thought of as immoral. Or Cutting down the 200 year -old oak in the center of town is an immoral action.

angry at vs angry with angry Ø I am angry at the way I was treated at the Dept. of Public Safety. angry Ø at – pertains to situations with – pertains to people I am angry with my younger sister for plagiarizing my paper.

ante- vs. anti ante Ø An antecedent is the noun which comes before the pronoun that represents it. For example; John had better put the beer back in the cooler, if he wants it to stay cold. anti Ø – before against, contrary to I use anti-freeze in my car in the winter.

ascent vs. assent ascent It – climb was a steep ascent to the top of Enger Tower Assent – agree or agreement (either verb or noun) She will assent to re-funding the Write Place OR She gave her assent when asked to re-fund the Write Place.

censor vs. censure censor – to cut or prevent something offensive from appearing Ø The government censored parts of the soldiers’ letters to keep information about military action out of the hands of the enemy. censure Ø – to condemn The Governor was censured for using public funds to help build his vacation home.

complacent vs. complaisant vs. compliant complacent – self-satisfied Ø complaisant – doing what one can to please others Ø His complacency in the middle of the mess he created caused him to be defeated in the last election. Chris was consistently complaisant in his dealings with clients at the reception desk. compliant – doing what your are told whether it pleases you or not Ø She was compliant when asked to re-do the report, even though she fumed inside.

continual vs. continuous continual Ø – keeps coming back, keeps repeating I get so frustrated at the continual auto-format generated typos in my Facebook posts. continuous Ø – never goes away, goes on and on Interstate 90 is a continuous, straight and boring route across South Dakota, rarely broken by a hill or curve.

differ from vs. differ with differ Ø The last tutorial greatly differed from this one. differ Ø from – to be different from with – to disagree I differed with my father over the value of his old Ford Fairlane.

discreet vs. discrete discreet Ø Julie was discreet when her roommate’s boss called to ask why she didn’t come to work. Discrete Ø – to be tactful and to keep secrets - to be separate from Linguistics and rhetoric are discrete disciplines.

disinterested vs. uninterested disinterested Ø She was a disinterested observer, which made her analysis credible. Uninterested Ø – impartial, no vested interest – not interested The client acted as though he was uninterested in his own essay.

farther vs. further farther – used when referring to physical space Ø It is farther to Las Vegas than to Missoula. further Ø – other non-physical distance I want you to take that argument further. Push the envelope.

flaunt vs. flout flaunt Ø He flaunted his wealth by parking his Lamborghini right in front of the Write Place. Flout Ø – to make a show of – to scoff at or mock The students flout the noise ordinance on the south side every weekend.

incredible vs. incredulous incredible Ø – unbelievable, fantastic The Minnesota Lynx have been incredible this season. incredulous Ø – unbelieving, doubting When I told her I’d never had a speeding ticket, she looked at me incredulously.

ingenious vs. ingenuous ingenious Ø – clever, inventive Toni Morrison’s plot lines are ingenious as well as meticulously crafted. ingenuous Ø – innocent Even though he was guilty as sin, his ingenuous expression convinced others he had nothing to do with the mess.

temerity vs. timidity temerity – foolhardy boldness or chance- taking Ø His temerity was once again demonstrated when he dove off the cliff without checking to see how deep the water was. timidity Ø – fearfully cautious The great Dane’s timidity when faced with the aggressive toy poodle was hysterically funny.