Confusing Words Clarified: Group E; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(lists of "E" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)
All of the main entries in these "Confusing Words" groups are explained, or defined, followed by pronunciations, and sentences which are meant to enhance your understanding of their meanings.
The definitions provided are based on dictionary presentations and are meant to help you differentiate between the various meanings of each word group.
Many current dictionaries, popular writing books, specialized topical resources, and style guides were consulted for these groups so you can develop better word skills and communication tools.
In your daily writing, be aware of what the "right words are for the correct meanings" so you can improve your writing accuracy in a positive way.
A great deal of effort has been devoted to help you grasp the meanings of over 1,700 word groups (or more than 5,100 entry words in the sections) which may be confusing to you so you can utilize them with greater accuracy in your communications.
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If you have any problems understanding the pronunciation symbols, go to this Pronunciation Chart for clarifications.
Bernardo's fame will earn him the honor of being buried in an urn during a special ceremony in the town square.
2. Plain and simple in style: This restaurant tends to serve food that is made with basic and natural earthy ingredients.
3. Not polite; somewhat rude or crude: Charley's humor tends to be earthy and impolite.
Haley and Art went to the new restaurant which served earthy, organic foods, because neither of us could think of any earthly reason to go to a high-priced restaurant.
2. The period of time just before an important event: The students were nervous on the eve of their graduation.
It was on a cold winter’s eve, just a week before New Year’s Eve, Mary and Andra thought they heard the crack of an icicle breaking from the eave at the front of the house and so they went out to investigate.
Reading the manual on teaching fractions is a very effective way to increase the effectual nature of the teachers who are always striving to be efficient.
When the teacher was correcting her students' essays, she noticed that they frequently confused e.g. as in exempli gratia, "for example" with i.e. from id est, "that is", which suggests "a clear explanation is to follow".
The football fans were eager to egg their team on to victory; however, in their enthusiasm, each fan brought an egg to throw at their opponents which disturbed all of the other people who were in the stadium.
Judging from the headlines, it would appear that the egotism of the prime minister is reflected in the egoism of current legislation which appears to favor industry and commerce.
The newly elected mayor who is a bit of an egotist was always complaining about the former mayor who he described as an egoist.
An egoist is a person of low taste, more interested in himself than me.
An egotist is a person with self admiration letting off esteem and someone who is an I specialist.
A story that was going around some years ago, the source for which is now unknown, relates how P.T. Barnum was presenting a "freak" show in a tent. In those days, it cost each person five cents to wander around and gawk at the deformed people and animals.
It seemed that too many people stayed too long to look and there wasn't enough room for the new customers; so, Barnum had a sign set up next to one of the tent-flap exits saying, This way to the Egress.
Not knowing what an Egress was (or meant), the people would go through the door-type flap of the tent and they found themselves outside. If they wanted to go back in, then they had to pay the entrance fee again.
In an unrelated situation from that shown above, people were in a building where they noticed that the signs for INGRESS were printed in green but that the signs for the EGRESS were printed in red which might have made the meanings easier to understand.
Going out for dinner can be stressful; either we go to an inexpensive place where the food is good or we go to a prestigious place where the food is not so good; or maybe we should go somewhere else altogether different.
Neither the second choice nor the third choice was appealing, so we decided to eat at home instead.
The patient was faced with a choice; either the doctor could use ether or a local anesthetic for the minor operation.
Eulogy is praise that is usually too much and too late.
The politician delivered a eulogy for his former friend. In his eulogy, he quoted a lovely elegy which had been written more than a century ago.
The licit activities of the sheriff are often seen by criminals as attempts to elicit information about illicit activities.
Who would be the most eligible for the new position: The one who had the most legible handwriting but had poor Public Relations skills, or the one who had illegible handwriting but who was great with people?
Finally, it was decided that the person with good handwriting but poor PR skills was ineligible for the position.
2. Descriptive of something rising above other things or places: The snow-capped mountain was eminent among the other low hills.
2. Present throughout the universe, said of God: Transcendent, immanent, and indwelling the universe, time, etc.; or God as immanent and existing in and extending into all parts of the created universe.
3. Concerning a thought or an activity which occurs within the mind: Thinking or daydreaming is an immanent activity.
4. Pertaining to qualities or characteristics which are common throughout life: Self-preservation is an immanent characteristic of most mammals.
2. Concerning something which should happen without disruption or delay: The telegram asked for an immediate answer.
3. Descriptive of one's position in relation to others; next in line: Stefan was Luisa's most immediate, or closest, relative.
2. Immediate, ready to happen without further notice: Leaping onto the subway tracks places a person in imminent danger and is a foolish thing to do.
The imminent arrival of the eminent performer seemed inevitable.
Suddenly, there was a cheer which did emanate from the crowd waiting at the station; however, it was difficult to determine what the immediate cause of the cheering was.
The performer arrived, as always exuding immanent courtesy and charm.
