CCC Synonyms-2006 Jul-Sep

CLOSE SYNONYMS OF THE WEEK

2006

July-September
(most recent first)

SEPTEMBER 25, 2006

UNPROFESSIONAL / NON-PROFESSIONAL

For a bit of a departure from the usual, this edition focuses on the same word with two different prefixes: both negative, yet with very different applications.

UNPROFESSIONAL (adj)—not acting or not executed in accordance with professional standards (negative connotation)
UNPROFESSIONALLY—adv

NON-PROFESSIONAL (adj/noun)—not functioning in the capacity of a professional / someone not professionally trained (neutral connotation, possibly negative depending on context)
NON-PROFESSIONALLY—adv

Note that it is a change in prefix that alters the meaning, and that NON-PROFESSIONAL is hyphenated. Note too that NON-PROFESSIONAL is a noun as well as an adjective, whereas UNPROFESSIONAL is only an adjective.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

His behavior in the office—like telling off-color jokes—was considered unprofessional, and he was finally asked to leave.

Non-professional volunteers augment the staff and make a vital contribution to the work. We’ve had many such non-professionals over the years.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2006

REGIME / REGIMEN

This edition focuses on some CLOSE HOMONYMS: words that are the same or similar in sound but not necessarily the same in meaning.

REGIME (noun)—a particular governing or ruling body

REGIMEN (noun)—a suggested program or agenda, particularly for the improvement of health

Related homonym:

REGIMENT (noun)—troop

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Over the years, various administrations of the United States have intervened militarily to change the regimes of other countries.

People who adhere to a regimen of nutritious diet, adequate sleep and regular exercise have generally better health than those who don’t.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2006

CUE / QUEUE

This edition focuses on some CLOSE HOMONYMS: words that are the same or similar in sound but not necessarily the same in meaning.

CUE (verb/noun)—to hint, signal or prompt / a hint, signal or pointer

QUEUE (verb/noun)—to line up to wait for, process or receive something / a line (formed for these purposes)

Notes concerning spelling of these homonyms (pronounced exactly the same): CUE begins with ‘C’, QUEUE begins with ‘Q’; plus, there are two ‘UE’s in QUEUE; also, there is no ‘E’ (preceding the ‘ing’) in CUING or QUEUING.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

I suggest underlining words you have difficulty pronouncing, and then reading the passage aloud—this visual cuing will help you remember to be careful.

In times of economic depression, it is common to see people queuing up to receive rationed food and supplies.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2006

WORK (verb) / WORK + preposition (phrasal verb)

As a departure in honor of the Labor Day holiday, this edition focuses on the word WORK in combination with various prepositions.

International speakers of English are often confused by ‘phrasal verbs’ (verbs + prepositions that add to or alter the meaning of the verb), and for good reason—phrasal verbs can often be confusing. The following are examples of what a difference a preposition can make.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

I need to work ON/WITH/THROUGH this document.

Working UNDER/WITH/FOR this manager has been a severe strain.

We can work UP to it little by little until it’s done.

The schedule is tight, but they’ll have to work IN an additional meeting.

She’s serious about exercise and likes to work OUT after work. Her work-OUT [NOUN] is always very strenuous.

They’ve been arguing for weeks and will have to work it OUT before the deadline.

I asked him to work UP an estimate.

They told him not to get all worked UP about it.

When he failed to pay off the loan, the gangsters really worked him OVER.

It’s got a lot of problems, but they’ll just have to work AT it until it’s done.

After all the holiday meals, he had to work OFF the extra pounds.

When this project is done, I’m planning to work ON my boss for a raise.

Working ON the assumption that he’ll be able to attend the conference, I’ve booked him a room.

I’m bored with this assignment and will need to work UP the energy to complete it.

We’ve been having trouble and will need to come up with a work-AROUND [NOUN].

AUGUST 28, 2006

NOMINAL / EPONYMOUS / TITULAR

NOMINAL (adj)—in name (only), not necessarily in reality (Note that NOMINAL has additional meanings and applications.)

EPONYMOUS (adj)—having the name of a particular person (such as the title of a place, book, film, play or TV show)

TITULAR (adj)—having the name of a particular person (Note: similar to EPONYMOUS); having a particular title, but not necessarily the functions or power typically associated with it (Note: similar to NOMINAL)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Tibet is currently designated by the Chinese government as the ‘Tibet Autonomous Region’. However critics allege this appellation is purely nominal, as the Tibetan people have no autonomy whatsoever.

She finally met Craig, whose eponymous list service is well known across the country, and now even the world.

He is the titular head of the organization, but everyone knows it’s his wife who really runs everything.

AUGUST 21, 2006

QUOTE / QUOTATION

QUOTE (noun/verb)—the exact repetition of something someone has said or written / to repeat exactly something someone has said or written

QUOTATION (noun)—the exact repetition of something someone has said or written

Note the change in suffix. Note too that QUOTE, as a noun, is often used as casual shorthand for QUOTATION. Also that QUOTE/QUOTATION has the additional meaning of stating an estimate or price. When a QUOTE contains another QUOTE, double QUOTATION MARKS are used for the primary QUOTE, and single QUOTATION MARKS for the secondary QUOTE within it.

Related forms:

QUOTES (plural noun)
QUOTATION MARKS (plural noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

The editor of the news desk instructed the reporters to quote the governor exactly. She stipulated that the quote/quotation should be put in full quotation marks, as putting it in quotes will make who said what unmistakably clear.

The governor said: “Federal agents report that ‘the situation is under control’, however conditions at the scene of the disaster do not support this statement.”

AUGUST 14, 2006

FATAL / LETHAL

FATAL (adj)—(capable of) causing death (or ruin); fateful
FATALLY—adv; FATALITY—noun, FATALISM—noun

LETHAL (adj)—(capable of) causing death (or ruin)

Note that FATAL has a wider range of application than does LETHAL; and that, though very close in meaning, the two words are not always interchangeable.

Related synonyms:

MORTAL (adj)
TERMINAL (adj)
DEADLY (adj)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

When she was in the tropics, she contracted a fatal illness, dying shortly thereafter.

An ordinary baseball bat became a lethal weapon when the thief beat the shopkeeper to death with it.

AUGUST 7, 2006

SEMI- / QUASI- / PSEUDO-

SEMI- (prefix)—half, partial, somewhat (tends toward a neutral connotation, but can be negative depending on context)

QUASI- (prefix)—as if, sort of (can have negative connotation of ‘supposed’)

PSEUDO- (prefix)—imitation, false, ersatz (can have negative connotation of ‘inferior substitute’)

Note that the meanings of these synonyms can be very close, and perhaps interchangeable (SEMI- and QUASI-; QUASI- and PSEUDO-), depending on context.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

The semi-annual meeting will take place this Tuesday—but as it’s been six months since the last meeting, by now the issues are semi-irrelevant.

It may at first seem like a quasi-official government report, but on closer examination, you can see it’s been written by a lobbyist.

A lot of the pseudo-foods available today are proving hazardous to human health.

JULY 31, 2006

CONTINUAL / CONTINUOUS / CONTINUING

CONTINUAL (adj)—ongoing, recurring without interruption, without ceasing
CONTINUALLY—adv

CONTINUOUS (adj)—enduring unchanged over time, without breaks or gaps
CONTINUOUSLY—adv

CONTINUING (adj)—in existence, or being continued, from the past and (likely) into the future
CONTINUE—verb

Note that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning of these very close synonyms.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

She’s been in a continual state of agitation since getting the troubling news.

PBS has produced a series of continuous episodes portraying the many marriages of Henry VIII.

Medical personnel are required to participate in continuing education courses in order to remain up to date in their field.

JULY 24, 2006

SOLVENT (noun/adj)

This edition focuses on some CLOSE HOMONYMS: words that are the same or similar in sound but not necessarily the same in meaning.

SOLVENT (noun)—a substance in which another substance can be dissolved

SOLVENT (adj)—having enough funds to meet financial obligations

Related forms:

SOLVENCY (noun, regarding finance only)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Light mineral oils are more refined than some other solvents and can be used in insecticides for food crops. (noun)

He was in debt upon returning from studying abroad, but has since worked continuously and is now solvent. (adj)

JULY 17, 2006

INSOLUBLE / UNSOLVABLE

This edition focuses on some CLOSE HOMONYMS: words that are the same or similar in sound but not necessarily the same in meaning.

INSOLUBLE (adj)—unable to be dissolved

UNSOLVABLE (adj)—unable to be solved

Note that these two words, unrelated in meaning, also take different negative prefixes. Additionally note that the noun form, SOLUTION, is the same for both, which can be confusing.

Related forms:

DISSOLVE (verb)
SOLUBLE (adj)
SOLUBILITY (noun)
SOLVENT (noun)
SOLUTION (noun)
Plus additional technical usages

SOLVE (verb)
SOLVABLE (adj)
SOLVABILITY (noun)
SOLUTION (noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Lead chromate is insoluble in water, acetic acid and ammonia, but is soluble in acid and alkalies.

There was no evidence and no witness, and the crime remained unsolvable.

JULY 10, 2006

TECHNICIAN / TECHNOLOGIST / TECHNOCRAT

TECHNICIAN (noun)—a person skilled in industrial, mechanical, laboratory or clinical techniques

TECHNOLOGIST (noun)—one who is knowledgeable about and adept at designing and/or handling technical systems

TECHNOCRAT (noun)—a government bureaucrat trained in, or believing in the leadership of those trained in, industrial and/or socio-economic engineering

Note that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning.

Related forms:

TECHNOPHILE (noun)
TECHNOPHOBE (noun)
TECHIE / TEKKIE (slang noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

After he fixed a difficult computer problem of theirs, our friends praised my son as a great technocrat. I pointed out that, since he is not a politician, the right word would be technician. Whereupon my son corrected me, saying that actually, he is a technologist.

JULY 3, 2006

INDEPENDENT (adj)

For a bit of a departure from the usual, in honor of the holiday celebrating the 1776 American war of independence from Britain, this edition focuses on various words relating to independent.

AUTONOMOUS
SOVEREIGN
SELF-GOVERNING
SELF-SUFFICIENT
SELF-RELIANT
SELF-SUPPORTING
UNFETTERED
UNCONSTRAINED
SEPARATE
DETACHED
FREE

Note: INDEPENDENT is generally used as an adjective but, especially in a political context (in which it is often capitalized), can also function as a (proper) noun.