Confusing Words Clarified: Group S; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(lists of "S" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)
English can be very confusing; for example, a house burns up as it burns down, a form is being filled in as it is being filled out, and an alarm goes off by going on. How about when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible?
As you examine the groups of words in this unit, you will find many examples of confusions; sometimes, just one or two letters in a word can change its meaning completely. There are also times when two different words get confused because their meanings apply to things that are very similar.
Efforts have been made to help you grasp the meanings of various words that may be confusing so you can utilize them with greater accuracy in your communication.
Your comments and suggestions are always welcome by writing to: E-mail Contact (just click it for an e-mail form) or by typing, [email protected], as the address in your e-mail heading.
If you have any problems understanding the pronunciation symbols, go to this Pronunciation Chart for clarifications.
2. A person who is easily fooled or deceived or who is irresistibly attracted to something: There is a saying that there is a sucker born every minute.
Bernhard is a sucker for red sports cars and goes to the New Sports Car Shows whenever he can.
3. A fresh water fish, the mouth of which is soft and fleshy: At the aquarium, Joan and the students in her class watched the sucker feed at the bottom of the tank.4. New shoots or stems that grow from the roots or the lower part of a plant: The sucker on the rosebush needs to be trimmed so the new blooms will flourish.
A candy sucker will succor a crying child for at least a few minutes.
2. To have changed ones position or opinion on a matter, often because of the influence of someone: "The fiery speech by Steve, the store owner, really swayed my opinion about the matter of widening the street."
3. To have provided a guiding or controlling influence: "The aging actor, Gene, certainly swayed the new actors when they worked with him."
Carol's niece, Hana, actually swayed her opinion about fashion. Hana convinced Carol that wearing a suede coat to the afternoon tea party was not appropriate.
2. Something that makes a person feel happy or pleased; very pleasant: "Don told his wife that he hoped that she would sleep well and have sweet dreams."
Robert tried not to sweat as he went to the convention of sweet specialties in the suite of exhibition rooms.
There are some people who are willing to pay big money when traveling just so they can have a sweet suite in a luxury hotel to avoid having to sweat in a cheaper place.
2. An abstract or an abridgment: "At the end of her speech, President Rebecca Smith provided a summary of all her major points."
It was on a warm summery day that Barry completed the written summary about the new but very LONG novel.
"Many go to church on Sunday to worship God, to listen to the music, and to hear thoughtful words from a minister."
"Bruce said that this was such a good book that he would recommend it to all and sundry people."
"Helen Smith's purse contained keys, a wallet, and many other sundry items."
After church on Sunday, Cheryl and Chris went to the restaurant for lunch and to have a sundae for desert from a sundry of choices that were available there.
There were three shifts of superintendents who were hired to provide the superintendence of the new Condominium.
2. An existence that is outside the visible or observable environment: "Ghosts are often thought to be supernatural beings because they lack the physical compositions of normal people."
2. Inconsistent with the normal expectations of events or feelings: "It seemed unnatural to be picking apples this late in the season."
"Sam's degree of frustration seemed unnatural for the situation involving a flat tire."
When Stanley went to interview the famous psychic, he felt very unnatural because it was difficult for him to understand what others believe to be supernatural.
"The bank will supply a loan so Linda's uncle can buy a new tractor for the farm."
2. Goods that are offered for sale for a limited time: "The poster read: Buy Your New Toaster While the Supply Lasts!"
Patricia is using the book cart so she can supply more books to the total supply on the bookstore shelves.
2. To imagine guilt based on slight evidence or proof: "The police suspect that the man with the raincoat and umbrella broke the window in the store."
2. Questioning that something is wrong without proof or evidence to that effect: "It is George's suspicion that the conclusion of the investigation is wrong because there appears to be an essential piece of information missing."
The police woman, Mary Smith, had a suspicion that the man who was running away from the scene of the crime was a primary suspect in other robberies; however, she had learned to suspect snap judgments and so she decided to investigate the situation further.
"The crows followed the swath of cut wheat in the field, feasting on grain that was on the ground."
2. The stroke or sweeping movement of a scythe: "Jim utilized the swath of his scythe which made cutting the tall grass and weeds in his back yard easier to accomplish than if he had used a hand sickle."
Jonathan got a bad blister on his hand yesterday when he was using the scythe to cut a swath through the grass in the field and so he will need to swathe it in a clean cloth before he continues with his work today.
If a person wears a sweater in hot weather, it is certain that it will turn him or her into a sweater of perspiration.
2. To make something larger or more full than normal: "The rain storm will certainly swell the river more than normal."
3. To increase in size or number: "Many populations in nations around the world tend to swell with more and more immigrants."
If you give Andrea too many compliments, her head will swell; then she will think that she is a swell person; of course, her ego will swell, too, if the praises continue to swell.
Confusing Words: Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs; explained and demonstrated.
Confusing Words: Units, Groups A to Z.
Confusing Words: Vocabulary Quizzes Listed.
