Confusing Words Clarified: Group P; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(lists of "P" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)
If you have any problems understanding the pronunciation symbols, go to this Pronunciation Chart for clarifications.
2. A collection of individuals having common characteristics: The majority of the population in the city lived in single home dwellings.
3. A sampling of individuals who have been selected for statistical measurement: The poll results reflected the interests of the population in the rural areas of the country.
Dorothea's poetry had a large populist following by the populace because she spoke about the concerns and feelings of the rural population. Here the populous was dealing with drought conditions affecting their lives.
2. Coming down in torrents: After a spectacular show of lightning and thunder, it was pouring rain during the afternoon.
3. Giving vent to intense emotions and feelings or expressing one's thoughts forcefully: Cleo was pouring out her grief to her friend as they sat on the bench in the park.
Janette was poring over her new magazine while she was pouring her morning tea.
2. A dowry or inheritance: The heiress' portion of her father's estate was considerable, and as a result, many suitors sought her hand.
3. An individual's lot or fate: Because Mike broke a window at school, the silly boy's portion was to clean up the playground after school for the next two weeks.
Bruces's stepmother gave him a portion of a secret potion which she had made for the occasion.
2. An enclosure for stray, lost, or unwanted animals: Lewis went to the pound to find a new kitten for his niece.
3. A unit for measuring weight, consisting of 16 ounces avoirdupois and 12 ounces troy weight: Adam asked the clerk in the store what the cost of a pound of potatoes would be.
Peter wants to purchase a large amount of British money. Wouldn't that be like buying a pound of pounds? Then he wants to go to the local pound with his hammer, because he needs to pound in a few nails to repair the fence before the pound falls apart.
2. Useful; functional; not theoretical: Ingrid had a practical knowledge of auto mechanics which she obtained by working in the garage.
2. Relating to issues or matters of fact, often to the exclusion of intellectual or artistic elements: Susana's approach to the curriculum at school was strictly pragmatic, dealing with the basic subjects of math, science, etc.
Mildred's friend was a nurse who took a pragmatic approach to her work. She often said that it was practicable for her to take further training, but she liked her position working as a practical nurse and planned to retire in a couple of years.
2. To work at, especially as a profession: Helena wants to practice law after she graduates from university.
Fred wants to practise his skills as a computer technician so he can make his living in this vocation in England.
It has been Jillian's morning practice always to do practice sit-ups. She used to be able to do 10, now she can do 20; and when she goes to England, she can practise the same exercise routine.
2. An expression of approval or admiration: The praise Karen received motivated her to do even more to help people.
2. Used in the third person singular, to implore: The student standing before the school official certainly prays that she is not in trouble.
2. Used in the third person singular, to raid, to seize, or to commit robbery: The street ruffian often preys on children going to school by stealing their lunch money.
Should a person who preys on other people for money receive praise just because he prays?
2. An animal which is taken by a predator as food: The wild owl hunted its prey in the evening when it was almost dark.
The roving bandits were known to prey on the isolated farms in the area.
Pray do not feel sorry for her as if she were the prey of an evil force because her friends will pray that it will not prey on her anymore.
2. To exceed in rank or degree of importance from someone else: The position of cabinet minister will precede that of deputy cabinet minister in the hierarchy of the government.
3. To occur earlier than something else: The rally in the stadium will precede the actual start of the game.
2. To continue after interruption: After extensive applause, the speaker was able to proceed with his lecture and illustrated talk.
3. To move along in a designated course; to go ahead, to advance, or to go forward: The parade will proceed along the streets which will be decorated with colorful bunting.
The proceeds of the concert will go to charity.
George took the proceeds from the sale of his business and invested them in stocks.
Before we proceed, Paul thinks they need to decide what to do with the proceeds of the land sale; so, he wants to know if they can precede the final decision with an estimate of the final amount that will be coming.
2. Activities that are well established and based on practice over time: Morning coffee and afternoon tea are two precedents which are traditions in Ryan's office.
The precedents at their college dictate that the seating of visiting scholars in the dining hall takes precedence over the part time instructors.
2. A custom or an activity that has become established over time: Having a meal break at midday seemed to be the precedent at Jack's new job.
2. A person who is the chief official or officer in a business or corporation: The Board of Directors at the company elected Linda's uncle as President of the Board for a two-year term.
3. Somebody who is chosen to lead or officiate over a meeting: The president of the parents' organization called the assemblage to order.
The president of the company set a new precedent by inviting all of the employees for refreshments in her office on her first day on the job.
2. A point where danger, trouble, or difficulty begins: The company is on the edge of a hazardous financial precipice.
2. To send someone or something suddenly and rapidly into a particular state or condition: The sudden death of Lenora's mother could only precipitate a severe family crisis.
2. Referring to an incident which happens in a very quick and sudden way: There has been a precipitous decline in home sales recently.
People were shocked by the mayor's precipitous fall from political power.
The bank president's precipitous decision will probably precipitate a jumping off of the precipice (figuratively speaking) by the manager unless his decision is carefully reviewed.
Douglas tends to predicate his theories on faulty assumptions.
The simple subject is the principal noun or pronoun that tells what a sentence is about; while the simple predicate is the verb or verb phrase that tells something about the subject; for example, "Penguins dive deep into the water."
In most sentences, the meaning of the simple subject and the simple predicate is expanded or modified by the addition of other words and phrases. The complete subject consists of the simple subject and all of the words that modify it, while the complete predicate consists of the simple predicate and all the words that modify or complete it; for example: "The penguins of Antarctica dive hundreds of feet into the ocean."
A compound predicate has two or more verbs or verb phrases that are joined by a conjunction and have the same subject or subjects: "Diane and Jim will wash the dishes, mop the floor, and cook dinner."
The speech that the educational critic for the newspaper made seemed predictive of the future of grammar and creative writing in the schools.
Lucinda attempted to predict that children will no longer know what a predicate is and she tried to predicate her theories on the recent test scores from the schools.
The new film was given the premier placement on the schedule at the film festival.
Yesterday was the première performance of Marissa's play as well as the premiere for the main actress. Her friend is considered premier among the local playwrights.
2. Property upon which a building may be placed; a building: With the windfall from the lottery, Francisca decided to purchase a premise upon which to erect a school.
3. Something that is taken for granted or assumed: It was the premise of the city hall that there would be no opposition to higher taxes the following year.
There is a premise down the street that is to be developed as a park, including a swimming pool. Dennis tends to surmise that there are plans for life guards, too.
Confusing Words: Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs; explained and demonstrated.
Confusing Words: Units, Groups A to Z.
Confusing Words: Vocabulary Quizzes Listed.
