CCC Synonyms-2009 Jul-Sep

CLOSE SYNONYMS OF THE WEEK

2009

July-September
(most recent first)

SEPTEMBER 7, 2009

HIATUS

This edition will, alas, be the last installment of this series in its present form. A lot of new ideas have evolved over the years in regard to content, style and delivery—suggesting that it is time for reconfiguration. Thus, this week’s synonym will focus on HIATUS.

In the meantime, please take a look at the SYNONYMS ARCHIVE for a treasure trove of past weekly editions from 2003 to 2009.

And best of luck with your English language improvement!

HIATUS (noun)—a period of time during which continuity is suspended

Note that HIATUS has various other meanings and applications.

Some related synonyms:

PAUSE
BREAK
INTERRUPTION
INTERVAL
LULL
GAP

SAMPLE SENTENCE:

While taking a hiatus in order to reformulate its offerings, CCC looks forward to contacting our many loyal subscribers (whom it has been a pleasure to serve) to inform them of the availability of new and improved materials to assist in the development of their English language communication skills.

AUGUST 31, 2009

ALARMING / ALARMIST

ALARMING (adj)—frightening or worrying

ALARMIST (noun/adj)—(one who is/liable to be) spreading unfounded and/or unnecessary fear or worry; (one who is/liable to be) easily made afraid or worried

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

Some related forms:

ALARM (verb/noun)
ALARMISM (noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

The reviewer said the subject of the new book was alarming, describing little known information that could lead to catastrophe.

However, another reviewer said about the same book that it was alarmist, overstating the case and trying to cause a sensation.

AUGUST 24, 2009

APPLY (verb) / APPLY FOR / TO (verb + preposition)

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 is an example of what a difference a preposition can make.

APPLY—(formally) request; to use toward a result; to be relevant; to put or spread something on a surface

APPLY FOR
APPLY TO

Note that APPLY has many different usages, and that the addition of any preposition depends on the framework of the sentence.

Some related forms:

APPLICATION (noun)
APPLICANT (noun)
APPLICATOR (noun)
APPLIQUÉ (noun)
APPLICABLE (adj)
APPLIED (adj)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

She scraped her leg while mountain biking and needed to apply a bandage to stop the bleeding.

The same procedures will apply even if we have a reduced budget.

My cousin is planning to apply for a job as a psychiatric social worker.

My niece is planning to apply to a college that specializes in animal care.

AUGUST 17, 2009

AT THE BEGINNING / IN THE BEGINNING

For a bit of a departure from the usual, this edition focuses on the difference between two similar expressions that are often confused by international speakers of English.

AT THE BEGINNING (set expression)—designating an originating point in space, time or circumstance (Tends to be used more frequently than IN.)

IN THE BEGINNING (set expression)—designating the originating point of a situation or event (Tends to be used less frequently than AT.)

Note that the definitions above are somewhat arbitrary; and, while the sentences below give an indication of the differences in use, in actuality the prepositions are often interchangeable.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

She will arrive at the beginning of the month.
At the beginning of the meeting, we did a roll-call.

To “begin at the beginning” is an often used set expression.

“In the beginning” are the first words of many (most?) English versions of the Old Testament of the Bible—a well-known phrase to persons familiar with Western civilization.

At the beginning of World War II the US and USSR were allies, at the end* they were enemies.
In the beginning of World War II the US and USSR were allies, in the end* they were enemies.
(Note that when the prepositions are interchangeable, when referring to both the beginning and the end in the same sentence or paragraph, it is customary to use the same preposition in both cases.)

*Ré “AT/IN THE END”:
see http://www.crossculturecom.com/Synonyms_2008_1st_Q.htm (scrolling down to 08-02-25)

AUGUST 10, 2009

SYNTAX / GRAMMAR

SYNTAX (noun)—how words and phrases in a sentence are arranged in regard to logic, emphasis, rhythm, etc., concerning such things as type of sentence—declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory—and constructions such as passive or active voice, and the ordering of clauses. [Note that SYNTAX can be applied to the arrangement of any group of elements into a coherent whole.]
SYNTACTICAL—adj; SYNTACTICALLY—adv

GRAMMAR (noun)—authoritative rules for the structuring and formation of elements within sentences that, while subject to change as the language naturally evolves, are collectively agreed upon for the sake of optimizing accurate communication among speakers of a particular language
GRAMMATICAL—adj; GRAMMATICALLY—adv; GRAMMARIAN—noun

Note that although these two terms are often confused, they do have different meanings and applications. Whereas GRAMMAR concerns standardized rules of agreement concerning such things as plural and verb formation, SYNTAX functions as more of a literary device in regard to conveying meaning.

AUGUST 3, 2009

ARMAGEDDON / APOCALYPSE

For a bit of a departure from the usual, this edition focuses on two terms widely referred to in the Western tradition, both originating in the Bible, that are sometimes confused.

ARMAGEDDON (noun)—(site of) the final battle between the forces of good and evil at the end of time (by extension: any decisive or final conflict)

APOCALYPSE (noun)—prophecies of total destruction; a revelation concerning the future (typically of doomsday)
APOCALYPTIC—adj; APOCALYPTICALLY—adv

A related term:

ESCHATOLOGY / ESCHATOLOGICAL (noun/adj)—pertaining to the end of the world

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

It seems as though the world is always on the brink of Armageddon, the forces of good constantly having to go to battle against the forces of evil—a conflict made irresolvable by the fact that what is ‘good’ and what is ‘evil’ depends on the point of view of the antagonists.

An online commentator posed the following question: “Is the English language—or to put it less apocalyptically, English prose writing—really in a bad way?”

JULY 27, 2009

LONELY / LONESOME / LONE

LONELY (adj)—lacking companionship
LONELINESS—noun

LONESOME (adj)—by itself and forlorn
LONESOMENESS—noun

LONE (adj)—by itself, only one

Note that it is the addition of different suffixes that alters the meaning.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

A lonely person was walking in the park, somewhat depressed, wishing he had company.

At the edge of an empty field was a lonesome half-dead tree adding to the gloomy mood.

Then he saw a lone pigeon near a bush, the rest of the flock around the lake as usual.

JULY 20, 2009

PONZI SCHEME

For a bit of a departure from the usual, this edition focuses on a type of fraud known as a PONZI SCHEME—also known as a PYRAMID SCHEME—terms people often hear these days but tend not to know the background of.

The term Ponzi scheme derives from a hoax devised by Charles Ponzi in 1920 in which investors were guaranteed to double their investment in 90 days. In its basic form the operation works, in that old investors are issued dividends drawn from the influx of funds from new investors—while most of the money winds up in the hands of the perpetrator of the scam. Theoretically, as long as investors do not demand the return of their principal investments all at the same time, this ‘pyramid’ scheme can go on indefinitely.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Ponzi

Madoff Was A Piker -- America's Big Banks Are a Far Larger Fraudulent Ponzi Scheme
(Note, however, that the article’s subtitle is technically redundant—because a Ponzi scheme is fraudulent by definition.)

http://www.alternet.org/story/135161/

JULY 13, 2009

SYMPATHY / EMPATHY

SYMPATHY (noun)—compassionate understanding of the experience or feelings of another person
SYMPATHETIC—adj; SYMPATHETICALLY—adv; SYMPATHIZE—verb

EMPATHY (noun)—compassionate identification with the experience or feelings of another person
EMPATHETIC—adj; EMPATHETICALLY—adv; EMPATHIZE—verb

Note that it is a difference in prefix that alters the meaning. Note too that SYMPATHY implies that I understand but have not necessarily had the same experience or feeling; whereas EMPATHY implies that I have had the same experience or feeling. This helpful distinction is often lost, however—with SYMPATHY covering both usages. Also note something of a contradiction in that while virtually everyone has had the experience of losing a family member or friend, in expressing condolences only the more common SYMPATHY is used. Additionally note that SYMPATHY generally signifies some kind of misfortune, but EMPATHY is neutral and widely applicable.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

When his pet died, I sympathized with his grief, although I myself have never had a pet.

When his pet died, I empathized with his grief, for I myself lost a pet recently.

JULY 6, 2009

NATIONALITY / NATIONHOOD

For a bit of a departure from the usual, in honor of the recent Independence Day holiday, this edition focuses on two forms of the word NATION, both nouns, with different suffixes and different applications. Note that the concept of NATION, ubiquitous and taken for granted today, is actually a fairly recent historical development.*

NATIONALITY (noun)—the status of belonging to an independent country, by virtue of birth or naturalization [typically pertaining to persons]

NATIONHOOD (noun)—the status of being an independent country [typically pertaining to countries]

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

Some related forms:

NATION (noun)
NATIONAL (adj)
NATIONALLY (adv)
NATIONALISM (noun)
NATIONALIST (noun)
NATIONALISTIC (adj)
NATIONALIZE (verb)
NATIONWIDE (adj)
INTERNATIONAL (adj)
INTERNATIONALLY (adv)
MULTINATIONAL (adj/noun)
TRANSNATIONAL (adj)
TRANSNATIONALLY (adv)

*For more about nation states, see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nation_states#History_and_origins

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Nationality may soon be a thing of the past—as more and more people move around the globe in search of economic and social opportunity, the country one is technically a citizen of may become increasingly irrelevant.

If nationality does become irrelevant, then nationhood may soon also become a thing of the past—as more and more nations forego exclusively individual identity to form multinational regional unions.