Saturday, September 29, 2012

Confused Words


Wander and Wonder

Wander means to roam, stroll, etc.
Wonder means to speculate, doubt, etc.

Tom wandered about aimlessly in the streets.
The cops wondered how the convict escaped from prison.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Confused Words


Assent and Ascent

Assent means to agree, consent, etc.
Ascent means to rise, climb, etc.

They gave their assent for the business proposal.
The hot air balloon started its ascent slowly.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Confused Words


Stationary and Stationery

Stationary means to be fixed, motionless, steady, etc.
Stationery means writing and other office materials.

The scouts were instructed to remain stationary when the Chief Guest crossed by.
They went to buy some stationery.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Confused Words


Complement and Compliment

Complement means to complete, supplement, add, etc.
Compliment means to praise, congratulate, laud, etc.

Great music complemented the restaurant’s ambience and delicious cuisine.
She was complimented for her new attire.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Confused Words


Adapt and Adopt
Adapt means to modify, fit, adjust, etc.
Adopt means to take up, choose, accept, etc.
The company policies need to be adapted to suit the current market scenario.
There are many couples who are childless, but feel hesitant to adopt a child.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Confused Plurals


Thunder/Lightning
Rule: Thunder/Lightning cannot be used in a plural sense.
Incorrect Usage: There were thunders and lightnings followed by torrential rain.

Correct Usage: There was thunder and lightning followed by torrential rain.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Confused Plurals


Money
Rule: Money cannot be used in a plural sense.
Incorrect Usage: The profit money are to be distributed among the 3 brothers.

Correct Usage: The profit money is to be distributed among the 3 brothers.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Confused Plurals


Machinery
Rule: Machinery cannot be used in a plural sense.
Incorrect Usage: The factory was in urgent need of new machineries.

Correct Usage: The factory was in urgent need of new machinery.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Confused Plurals


Progress
Rule: Progress cannot be used in a plural sense.
Incorrect Usage: India has made rapid progresses in the field of technology.

Correct Usage: India has made rapid progress in the field of technology.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Confused Plurals

Sheep
Rule: Sheep is used for both singular and plural sense.
Incorrect Usage: He is involved in sheeps-rearing business.

Correct Usage: He is involved in sheep-rearing business.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Confused Plurals


Knowledge
Rule: Knowledge cannot be used in a plural sense.
Incorrect Usage: He has in-depth knowledges about this business.

Correct Usage: He has in-depth knowledge about this business.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Confused Plurals


Grass
Rule: Grass cannot be used in a plural sense.
Incorrect Usage: We sat down on the grasses.

Correct Usage: We sat down on the grass.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Confused Plurals


Luggage
Rule: Luggage cannot be used in a plural sense.
Incorrect Usage: We forgot our luggages in the cab.

Correct Usage: We forgot our luggage in the cab.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Confused Plurals


Damage
Rule: Damage cannot be used in a plural sense.
Incorrect Usage: The tsunami caused widespread damages.

Correct Usage: The tsunami caused widespread damage.


Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Confused Plurals


Work
Rule: Work cannot be used in a plural sense.
Incorrect Usage: They have lots of works in the office.

Correct Usage : They have a lot of work in the office.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Confused Plurals


Bread
Rule: Bread cannot be used in a plural sense.
Incorrect Usage: I had breads for breakfast.

Correct Usage : I had bread for breakfast.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Confused Plurals


Fish
Rule: Fish cannot be used in a plural sense.
Incorrect Usage: We caught lots of fishes yesterday.

Correct Usage: We caught lots of fish yesterday.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Confused Plurals


Furniture
Rule: The word furniture cannot be used in a plural sense.
Incorrect Usage: Their furnitures are made of teak wood.

Correct Usage: Their furniture is made of teak wood.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Confused Plurals


Information
Rule: The word information cannot be used in a plural sense.
Incorrect Usage: The cops required informations about the murderer.

Correct Usage: The cops required information about the murderer.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Confused Nouns


Appetite and Desire
Rule: Appetite means a strong desire, especially for food; Desire is a strong wish to want something.
Incorrect Usage: (a) She lost her desire.
                                (b) I don’t have the appetite to study.

Correct Usage: (a) She lost her appetite.
                             (b) I don’t have the desire to study.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Confused Nouns


Air and Wind
Rule: Air is the substance necessary for breathing; Wind is the air current blowing in some direction.
Incorrect Usage: (a) The strong air blew away the thin sheets.
                                (b) She needed fresh wind.

Correct Usage: (a) The strong wind blew away the thin sheets.
                             (b) She needed fresh air.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Confused Nouns


Scene and Scenery
Rule: Scene is a particular spot of an event/happening; Scenery is the natural landscape of a place.
Incorrect Usage: (a) The cops arrived at the crime scenery very late.
                                (b) The view of the scene was breathtaking.

Correct Usage: (a) The cops arrived at the crime scene very late.
                                             (b) The view of the scenery was breathtaking.