In English, the appropriate word choice is essential to communicating clearly. Aside from punctuation, understanding which is the correct word in the relevant context is imperative, but not always straightforward.
English is a language of homophones (same-sounding words with different meanings; e.g., bear and bare, elude and allude, invoke and evoke). Words are spelled differently according to UK and US English rules and conventions; colour, for example, is spelled “color” in US English.
Which is correct: nerve-wracking or nerve-racking? To describe something as extremely irritating, annoying, or trying; (as in, a nerve-racking day; or a nerve-racking noise), we… Read More »Is it Nerve-Racking, Nerve-Wrecking or Nerve-Wracking?
Meaning of ‘beck and call’ ‘To be at someone’s beck and call‘ is an idiomatic expression that describes being immediately available, or ready to be… Read More »“Beck and Call” or “Beckon Call”? Which is Correct?
Are ambiguous and ambivalent the same? Something ambiguous (an adjective) is unclear, vague and open to different interpretations. To be ambivalent (also an adjective) means… Read More »What’s the Difference Between Ambiguous & Ambivalent?
Meaning of emigrate vs. immigrate To immigrate is the verb form of the noun immigrant; referring to someone that’s moved away from their birth country… Read More »Emigrate vs. Immigrate (Meaning + Examples)
Did you have a recurring or reoccurring dream? If you’re finding the difference between these two words befuddling, then this post is for you. How… Read More »Recurring vs. Reoccurring (Correct Usage, + Examples)
Nevertheless vs. nonetheless Nevertheless and nonetheless are synonyms that both belong to the same part of speech; i.e, they’re compound adverbs that express contrast. There… Read More »What’s the Difference Between Nevertheless vs. Nonetheless?
Are amiable and amicable the same? Both amiable and amicable are describing words (i.e., adjectives); the difference mostly concerns what it is that they describe:… Read More »When to Use Amiable or Amicable?
How to use aggravate vs. irritate Aggravate (a verb) comes from the Latin aggravatus, which means to “to render more troublesome,” …to make heavy or… Read More »Aggravate vs. Irritate (Correct Usage, + Examples)
How should you use alternate and alternative? These words are not always interchangeable, though their meanings overlap as adjectives. The difference between alternate vs. alternative… Read More »Alternate vs. Alternative (Correct Usage, + Examples)
Is your day going good or well? And is it, I hope you’re ‘well’ or ‘good’? These words are some of the most common words… Read More »Good vs. Well (Usage + Examples)