Confusing Words Clarified: Group F; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(lists of "F" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)
I hope I do not live to see
The death of the apostrophe.
For readers all will suffer fits
In disentangling its from it’s,
And they may also rave and rant,
Unable to tell cant from can’t;
Not to mention how they feel
When they mix up well and we’ll.
If you have any problems understanding the pronunciation symbols, go to this Pronunciation Chart for clarifications.
2. A story or statement that is not true: Carmela combines fact and fable to make her novel more interesting.
As a storyteller, Dudley often used a fable to illustrate a charming foible in a character’s personality.
2. A way of behaving or appearing that gives other people a false idea of your true feelings or situation: The couple were always trying to keep up the facade of their happy marriage.
2. The appearance of politeness without any sincerity: The veneer of respectability, which the newly rich man tried to show, was in fact superficial and obviously insincere.
The façade of the building was covered with a veneer of imitation stone, making it look 100 years older than it actually was.
2. Flat surfaces on a jewel to enhance its sparkle: The diamond had one large facet and many small ones, all glittering brightly in the light.
As Weldon considered every facet of his home renovations, he decided he wanted a brass covered faucet in the bathroom.
The book reviewer made a facetious remark about the fictitious characters in the short stories.
2. To congratulate: Mr. Jones did indeed felicitate the student, a neighbor, for his graduation from college with a check and a written note in an envelope.
Linwood thinks that if he calls his friends instead of writing to them, it will facilitate his ability to felicitate them for their new baby.
2. A skill and ease in doing something: Amy has a great facility with words.
Emily's cousin worked for a greeting card company because she had a great facility with words. She was often assigned to create cards wishing felicity for many different occasions; such as, weddings, new babies, promotions, etc.
2. To decline, as in strength or effectiveness: The lights in the room seemed to fail as a result of the electric storm which caused the generators to stop working.
2. To move vigorously or erratically; to thrash about: Because James was afraid of drowning, he started to flail his arms helplessly in the swimming pool.
Apparently, the farmer was about to fail to flail his wheat before the weather became too rainy.
Beatrice was fain to go to the party the following day.
When Lane's friend invited him to dinner, he was fain and delighted.
To say that Art was fain to go to the concert would be incorrect; however, because his friends want to go, he will feign enthusiasm and go with them.
Christi thought she would faint when she saw her friend feint a heart attack and fall to the floor.
2. A reference to weather conditions: The weather today is fair; that is, clear and sunny.
Kirby, do you have the fare for admission to the fair? Judy understands that the weather will be fair tomorrow and she thought the weather report was given in a fair and impartial manner on the radio.
There are some cities that are fortunate enough to have an equitable transportation fee, or a fair fare.
Virginia's friend told her that the dentist put a bridge in Frank's mouth; so, she asked him if the tooth fairy went under it in her ferry.
A renown fakir lived in a remote village; however, there were some who thought he was a faker, trying to fool the population with his "miracles".
2. Concerning something which is based on mistaken ideas: Jane commented, "Mary, your conclusions are based on false and incorrect assumptions."
2.Responsibility for problems, misfortunes, bad situations, etc.: Despite all of his faults and mistakes, Mike was still Elma's best friend.
People heard a report about the risk of earthquakes to towns that were built on the faults across the desert.
This report worried Sheena until she realized that the report was false because it was written on April 1; that is, April Fool’s Day!
A man who works in a "Seismology Lab" once said, "I can predict earthquakes."
Would that make him a faults prophet?
2. A flat object that is held in a person's hand and waved back and forth in front of his or her face: It's a good thing that they each had a fan to use on their trip so they could cool themselves a little bit during those hot summer days.
2. In a figurative sense, to make an emotional situation more dangerous, so people become angrier and more likely to act in a violent way: The speakers at the political meeting were trying to fan the group to march against the policies of the government.
This term for fan is a shortened form of fanatic or someone who is overly enthusiastic about something or anyone who has extreme ideas about politics, religion, etc.
Silas is a fan of indoor sports and he often goes to the local stadium. Sometimes it is hot in there because the electric fan doesn't work and because the hot music seems to fan the enthusiasm of the crowd and he must use his program as a fan to fan his face.
2. A natural power or effect that is able to change the speed or direction of something: The force of the earthquake caused the dishes to fall off the shelves and break.
Many people simply cannot accept the use of force to solve such minor problems.
What could you possibly like about professional wrestling? Is it the brute force that they exhibit?
Well, what I like most about professional wrestling is the brute farce which they perform.
Confusing Words: Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs; explained and demonstrated.
Confusing Words: Units, Groups A to Z.
Confusing Words: Vocabulary Quizzes Listed.
