Confusing Words Clarified: Group O; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(lists of "O" 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 design in the shape of a circle: The bright blue round O in the advertisement caught the buyers' attention.
3. This letter symbol is often incorrectly used to indicate a zero or no amount: The final score in the game was "10 to 0", instead of saying, "10 to zero"; however, there is a significant difference between the letter O and the number 'zero' despite their similarities in format.
Susan said, "Oh, yes, I understand what you are saying."
2. Used to address or to speak to someone directly: The man at the counter said, "Oh sir, you forgot your change."3. Used to express surprise, happiness, disappointment, or sadness: Grandpa remarked, "Oh no! I forgot my glasses."
2. To be indebted or under obligation for something: Lucinda said, "I owe my good fortune as a writer to my English teacher when I was in school."
3. Used to say that something should be done for or given to someone: Peter's mother stated, "Peter, you owe Josie an explanation and it is possible that you also owe her an apology."
Oh, Lenora, I owe you an apology for confusing "O" with "zero" in our recent e-mail.
2. A formal and serious promise to tell the truth or to do something: When he joined the military service, he took an oath to defend his nation.
3. An irreverent or blasphemous use of the name of God or something held sacred: Trisha uttered an oath that was offensive and which was used to express anger and frustration.
The police officer, who must have been an oaf, insisted that Mildred take an oath not to disturb the peace during the parade.
Flubber Hall of Fame, Oaf of office
On Tuesday, January 20, 2009, Chief Justice John Roberts joined the Flubber Hall of Fame when he administered the presidential oath of office apparently without notes.
Instead of having Barack Obama "solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States," Roberts had him "solemnly swear that I will execute the office of president to the United States faithfully."
When Obama paused after "execute", the chief justice prompted him to continue with "faithfully the office of president of the United States."
Language pedants hew to an oral tradition of shibboleths that have no basis in logic or style, that have been defied by great writers for centuries, and that have been disavowed by every thoughtful usage manual.
Nevertheless, they refuse to go away, perpetuated by the Gotcha!Gang and meekly obeyed by insecure writers.
Among these fetishes is the prohibition against "split verbs", in which an adverb comes between an infinitive marker like "to", or an auxiliary like "will", and the main verb of the sentence; for example, when Captain Kirk of the starship "Enterprise" said, "to boldly go where no man has gone before"; it should have been "to go boldly where no man has gone before".
When Chief Justice John Roberts changed the oath of office from "solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States" to "solemnly swear that I will execute the office of president to the United States faithfully", he is accused of making the "oath of office" an "oaf of office".
Oars are usually used in pairs with at least one oar on each side of a small water vessel and utilized by one or more rowers.
2. To suggest an approximation, an uncertainty, and other options: It will take five or six hours to drive from the city to the vacation site."
2. A former coinage designation for Sweden, Denmark, and Norway: Lenora had an ore left from her Scandinavian vacation of several years ago which she saved to put in her collection of money from different t countries.
Well, Jim, should we use an oar or a pole to get o'er the lake to investigate the new ore deposit in the nearby hills?
2. A solemn promise, usually invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future acts or behavior: Jason took an oath of allegiance to his country.
3. A profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger: Aurora was heard screaming an oath of "damn it!" after she hit her finger with the hammer.
2. The use of a word or phrase to replace another one which is considered less offensive or less vulgar than the word or phrase it replaces: Another example of a minced oath is to say "dang it" or "darn it" instead of "damn it".
From time to time when Scott gets upset, he has been known to mutter an oath; however, depending on the person he is going to talk to, he tries to be careful and to use a minced oath now and then, if he feels the need to express his feelings in stronger ways.
2. The purpose, aim, or goal of a specific action or effort: Marina's object was to win the game for her family.
2. To put forward as a reason for opposition; offer as criticism; to disapprove: Many people object to and frown on the excessive violence and vulgarity on TV and in movies.
Ken didn't object to the object Mildred put on his desk.
Kerri thinks it is obscene that it is possible to purchase lewd pictures when a person is visiting a tourist agency.
2. A regular and accepted practice or rite: The observance of the liturgical calendar was important to the members of the religious community.
2. A statement dependant on information: Based on how dark the clouds are in the sky, it is Michael's observation that there will be a storm very soon.
It is Greg's observation that the observance of local holidays is important to the community.
2. The representation of someone or something as existing or happening in a completely different period of time than it should: The novel has one anachronism after the other.
It is an obsolete notion to wear a bustle which has become obsolescent for daily wear. It is somewhat of an anachronism, like wearing lace mitts to the opera because lace mitts are archaic, something my great grandmother wore; however, now they are just considered an archaism best left for the manikin in the museum.
The route for the race was well planned with one major obstacle about half way through the course.
Being short was never an obstacle to Jerry's success as a singer.
Karin worked hard to overcome the impediment of a lisp in her speech.
Bonita figured the mountain was just another impediment. She was determined that there would be no obstacle to her summer hiking vacation.
2. An individual who grinds the lenses for eyeglasses according to a prescription: To be an optician requires a careful and steady hand when operating the equipment to grind the lenses for spectacles.
Years ago, the oculist was like a travelling salesperson who would come to a person's door; open a suitcase, and demonstrate the wares.
Now, someone can go in for more specialized services: A person can be referred by his or her optometrist to see an ophthalmologist if the optometrist suspects she or he has an eye disease.
If the ophthalmologist gives someone a prescription for new glasses, he or she can go to the optician to have the prescription filled.
Lottie owed a great deal of gratitude to her English professor for introducing her to poetry including the famous ode which celebrated the Nordic heroes of ancient times.
Sometimes the local official at the railway station can be very officious by demanding to see Marissa's ticket, then demanding that she check her luggage in, etc.
2. An accidental error: The fact that Jose's name was left off the list was a complete oversight which was corrected immediately.
The oversight of the banquet was left to Ronda's aunt because she was conscientious and people were confident that there would be no omission of the slightest detail.
2. Indicating something specifically or as the only choice: This was one glorious morning for going for a walk. 3. Regarding a united or a combination of two or more components: When the two elements were fused, the company created one new metal which was easy to use.
2. A third person pronoun used to indicate a person or type of thing when it is clear what is being referred to: Celeste is tired but she is one who does not wish to stop until the assignment is completed.
When Lenora met Joshua, her first thought was that he was the one for her.
2. To have obtained by effort or good luck: Rena's uncle was a gambler who won his fortune in card games.
3. To have succeeded through personal endeavor: Richard won his promotion by working hard and supporting his colleagues.
James won just one ticket to the movie.
2. Regarding something which does not allow light to pass through: The windows were painted black so they would be opaque, thus permitting the photographer to work in his photo-processing laboratory without unwanted illumination.
2. Characteristic of something self-evident; obvious; apparent: Trina's facial expression was so transparent that Susan always knew what she was thinking.
The information from the lecture was completely opaque to Ryan and so he couldn't understand a thing.
After Howard read the text book, his mind felt more translucent, as if some light on the subject was getting through and the information was beginning to make sense, but not completely.
Then, after Marla asked for an explanation, the answer suddenly became transparent.
Confusing Words: Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs; explained and demonstrated.
Confusing Words: Units, Groups A to Z.
Confusing Words: Vocabulary Quizzes Listed.
