CCC Synonyms-2009 Jan-Mar

CLOSE SYNONYMS OF THE WEEK

2009

January-March
(most recent first)

MARCH 30, 2009

WHETHER (OR NOT) / IF / CONFIRM THAT

For a bit of a departure from the usual, this edition focuses on three inquiry configurations calling for different kinds of reply. In order to avoid ambiguity or confusion, you may want to be careful about sending and/or receiving such inquiries.

WHETHER (OR NOT)

CONFIRM THAT

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Please let us know whether (or not) you will attend.

[Technically recipient should reply either way: affirmative or negative. Note too that ‘or not’ is optional—it can be implied or, in order to eliminate any ambiguity, it can be stated.]

Please let us know if you will attend.

[Technically recipient only has to reply if the answer is affirmative.]

Please confirm that you will attend.

[Assumes affirmative, technically calling for an affirmative reply only.]

MARCH 23, 2009

TESTIMONY / TESTAMENT / TESTIMONIAL

TESTIMONY (noun)—declaration given by a witness (in a court of law); something supporting a claim

TESTAMENT (noun)—a statement of belief [small ‘t’]; either of the two traditional books of the Bible [capital ‘T’]

TESTIMONIAL (noun)—a favorable report, confirmation or endorsement

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

Some related forms:

TESTIFY (verb)
TESTAMENTARY (adj)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Since he witnessed the accident, he was summoned by the court to provide testimony.

She is well-versed in the Bible, both the Hebrew Old Testament and the Christian New Testament.

Exercise videos frequently include testimonials from celebrities who have trained with that particular instructor.

MARCH 16, 2009

ENTIRELY / AT ALL

ENTIRELY (adv)—completely, totally, wholly (can also imply exclusively or solely) [generally used in a positive grammatical structure]

AT ALL (adv idiom)—to any extent, in any way [generally used in a negative grammatical structure]

Note sentences below illustrating the positive and negative structures, respectively, restricting the use of these terms—disqualifying them from being used interchangeably.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

It could take a week for the company to process the request, or it could reject it entirely.

It could take a week for the company to process the request, or it might not deal with it at all.

MARCH 9, 2009

PHYSIOLOGY / PHYSIOGNOMY

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

PHYSIOLOGY (noun)—the biological study of the functions of living organisms (can also refer directly to this functioning)
PHYSIOLOGICAL—adj; PHYSIOLOGICALLY—adj; PHYSIOLOGIST—noun

PHYSIOGNOMY (noun)—the study of human character or temperament based on facial features (can also refer directly to such features, as well as be extended to apply to the features of inanimate or abstract entities)
PHYSIOGNOMIC or PHYSIOGNOMICAL—adj; PHYSIOGNOMICALLY—adj; PHYSIOGNOMIST—noun

Note the shared prefix PHYSIO-.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

I am very interested in physiology—learning how my body functions enables me to avoid using it improperly.

Physiognomy is a controversial discipline—some people believe there is scientific data indicating a correlation between people’s facial features and their temperament or character; while others feel such ‘data’ is just ridiculous pseudo-science.

MARCH 2, 2009

MISTAKE / ERROR

MISTAKE (noun/verb)—an incorrect or inappropriate act, decision, or notion; or something that is incorrect or inappropriate (verb: to misunderstand, misperceive or misinterpret something or someone)
MISTAKEN—adj, UNMISTAKABLE—adj; MISTAKENLY—adv

ERROR (noun)—same basic meaning as MISTAKE, with a wider range of applications and usages
ERR—verb; ERRONEOUS—adj; ERRONEOUSLY—adv

Note that these synonyms are virtually identical in meaning, and therefore generally interchangeable. However, since MISTAKE has the negative prefix ‘mis,’ it can have a somewhat more negative connotation than ERROR depending on context.

Some related forms:

ERRANT (adj)
ERRATUM / ERRATA (noun / pl noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

If I make a mistake, I want to acknowledge having done the wrong thing—certainly acknowledge it to myself and, if appropriate, to whomever else it may concern.

When it is necessary to speak of someone having done the wrong thing, it may be advisable to be diplomatic in mentioning the error.

FEBRUARY 23, 2009

FURNITURE / FURNISHINGS

FURNITURE (collective noun*)—the (generally) movable pieces of equipment that facilitate varied activities in an interior space

FURNISHINGS (plural noun)—the combined articles—such as furniture, appliances, bedding, kitchen utensils, artwork, etc. in an interior space (more inclusive than FURNITURE and can also pertain to clothing)

(Note the added ‘S’ in FURNISHINGS. Also note the sentences below indicating that FURNITURE takes a singular verb, while FURNISHINGS takes a plural verb.)

*For more about collective nouns, see: http://www.crossculturecom.com/Grammar_Tips.htm (scroll down to COLLECTIVE NOUNS)

Some related forms:

FURNISH (verb)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

The furniture is being delivered tomorrow.

The furnishings are not to their liking and will have to be replaced.

FEBRUARY 16, 2009

EITHER / BOTH

For a bit of a departure from the usual, this edition focuses on the use of the terms EITHER and BOTH, about which there has lately been confusion, even among native speakers. If this useful distinction is to be preserved, the choice of which to use is critical.

EITHER / BOTH (various grammatical functions and meanings)

The purpose of the sentences below is to note that the words EITHER and BOTH each relate to two things—one-of-two and two-of-two, respectively. Also note the corresponding use of or/and, respectively, in the sample sentences.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Students can have an extra five minutes on either side of their presentation—either before they begin or after they finish, to clarify their purpose in choosing this topic. [Allowed five minutes only.]

Students can have an extra five minutes on both sides of their presentation—before they begin and after they finish, to clarify their purpose in choosing this topic. [Allowed ten minutes.]

FEBRUARY 9, 2009

AFFORD (verb)

Though most words in English have only one general meaning, there are many that have distinct and separate applications—including related or extended meanings or entirely unrelated usages. This series highlights a few of the more common and confusing of such words. The following is an example.

AFFORD 1—to be able to bear the cost of something (monetary or otherwise) without difficulty

AFFORD 2—to provide the opportunity for something (somewhat formal)

(AFFORDABLE—adj; AFFORDABLY—adv)

(Note that in the first usage, an auxiliary verb is required; in the second usage, an auxiliary verb is optional—see sentences below.)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

1. Kettlebells are more expensive than ordinary hand weights, but fortunately I can afford to buy one.

2. Kettlebell training affords (can afford) the opportunity of working muscles in a different way than that of ordinary hand weights.

FEBRUARY 2, 2009

BUT / HOWEVER / THOUGH

BUT / HOWEVER / THOUGH—used to indicate exception

Note that these versatile words can function as various parts of speech (conj/adv/prep) with a variety of applications and meanings. The purpose of comparing them in the sentences below is to note that BUT characteristically has a somewhat negative connotation; whereas HOWEVER is neutral (albeit a bit formal-sounding), while THOUGH is softer and more forgiving.

Some related forms:

ALTHOUGH (fuller form of THOUGH)
ALBEIT
NEVERTHELESS

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

This instructor speaks well, but he apparently doesn’t know much about the subject.

This instructor speaks well, however/though he apparently doesn’t know much about the subject.

JANUARY 26, 2009

LIGHTNING / LIGHTENING / ENLIGHTENING

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

LIGHTNING (noun)—a discharge of electricity in the atmosphere, typically during a thunderstorm, perceived from Earth as a flash of brilliant light

LIGHTENING (verb/gerund/adj)—making something less heavy; becoming less dark

ENLIGHTENING (adj)—illuminating mentally or spiritually

Note that it is a slight change in spelling, a change in suffix, and/or the addition of a prefix altering the meaning.

Some related forms:

LIGHT (verb/noun/adj)
LIGHTEN (verb)
ENLIGHTEN (verb)
ENLIGHTENMENT (noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

My friend likes to sleep outdoors on stormy nights, especially when there is lightning and thunder.

If we all chip in to pay the increase, it will have the effect of lightening the burden on any particular individual.

I love to see the lightening sky in the early morning before the sun appears above the horizon.

His comments were very enlightening, clarifying ambiguities in the archaic text.

JANUARY 19, 2009

RESTFUL / RESTIVE / RESTLESS

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

RESTFUL (adj)—promoting rest or relaxation

RESTIVE (adj)—impatient, uneasy (especially under restriction)

RESTLESS (adj)—unable to remain still; anxious for a change

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

Some related forms:

REST (noun/verb)
RESTLESSNESS (noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

The yoga session was very restful, just the relaxation I needed.

The crowd grew restive, objecting that the police barriers were too far from the celebrities they came to see.

The play was delayed and the kids got restless, noisily squirming around in their seats.

He’s getting restless about his job, wishing for more challenging work.

JANUARY 12, 2009

FORBIDDEN / FORBIDDING

FORBIDDEN (adj)—prohibited

FORBIDDING (adj)—unpleasant, threatening or dangerous

Note what a difference a suffix can make.

Some related forms:

FORBID (verb)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Some of the trails are forbidden—hikers not allowed due to rock slides.

Some of the trails look forbidding—too dangerous to hike due to rock slides.

JANUARY 5, 2009

IMPRESSIVE / IMPRESSIONABLE

IMPRESSIVE (adj)—having a remarkable, notable and/or memorable effect [typically positive connotation]

IMPRESSIONABLE (adj)—readily accepting the influence of others [can have a negative connotation]

Note that these words are both adjectives and that the change in suffix, while not changing the part of speech, has completely altered the meaning.

Some related forms:

IMPRESS (verb)
IMPRESSION (noun)
IMPRESSIONISM (noun)
IMPRESSIONIST (noun)
IMPRESSIONISTIC (noun)
UNIMPRESSIVE (neg adj)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

His performance was impressive, far better than what we expected—we were really impressed with it.

Students are young and impressionable, so they are often easily impressed, easily influenced and easily manipulated.