Confusing Words Clarified: Group C; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, etc. +(lists of "C" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)Three words that every student of language should understand are homonyms, synonyms, and antonyms. Homonyms are words that sound alike, but have different meanings. Synonyms are words that are related in meaning but do not sound alike (begin and commence, for example). Antonyms are direct opposites in meaning, as hot and cold; white and black.
With homonyms, the following set of to, too, and two are all pronounced exactly alike, but by no means are they interchangeable in writing. To be sure that you choose the correct spelling for any on these, you must know the meanings of all three so you will not make wrong choices with a feeling of vagueness and uncertainty. Efforts have been made to help you grasp the meanings of these and other 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, words@wordinfo.info, as the address in your e-mail heading. If you have any problems understanding the pronunciation symbols, go to this Pronunciation Chart for clarifications.construction, destruction
construction (kuhn STRUK shuhn)
The product of the building or creating process, using building materials, words, etc.: "The construction of the sentence consisted of both individual words and phrases."
"The construction of the sky scraper started with much ceremony and speeches." destruction (di STRUK shuhn)
Ruin, the process or act of tearing something down, literally or figuratively: "The whispered scandal of her illness proved to be the destruction of her career."
"The company had a contract authorizing the complete destruction of the old building, to make way for the new sky scraper." contemptible, contemptuous
contemptible (kuhn TEMP tuh b'l)
That which is deserving of scorn; despicable: "Due to his contemptible comments about the students last year, the senator was not invited back to the graduation ceremony."
contemptuous (kuhn TEMP choo uhs)
Being full of contempt; scornful, disdainful of someone or something: "Her tone of voice was contemptuous, dripping with unkindness and scorn."
content, content
content (kuhn TENT)
Happy, satisfied, basic needs or desires having been met: "As a senior citizen, she was content, having worked hard for many years, she was happy to relax."
content (KAHN tent)
Information dealt with in a field of study which is typically outlined in the beginning of a publication: "The information described in the Course Syllabus outlined the content for the lecture course."
contentious, controversial
contentious (kuhn TEN shuhs)
That which may cause quarrels or worrisome disputes: "The content of her new book proved to be contentious among academic scholars."
controversial (kahn" truh VUR shuhl, kahn" truh VUR see uhl)
Information or discussion characterized by a differing of opinions among readers, participants, etc.: "The controversial topic of Round Earth or Flat Earth is the subject of the annual meetings of the Flat Earth Society."
continence, continents
continence (KON tuh nuhns)
1. Self-restraint, moderation: "He was glad that he had continence when he was tempted by seeing so many kinds of cakes that were available."
2. Self-control over urinary and fecal discharges: "I read that most children have continence by the age of three." continents (KON tuh nuhnts)
The principal land masses of the earth; usually, regarded as including Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America: "He was an anthropologist who traveled the continents of Africa and Asia to research the cultures that exist in those places."
continual, continuous
continual (kuhn TIN yoo uhl)
A frequently repeated occurrence: "The continual drumming of the rain on the tin roof was very distracting."
continuous (kuhn TIN yoo uhs)
An action or circumstance that continues for a period of time without being stopped or interrupted: "When she retired, she had a record of 45 years of continuous service in the office."
continuance, continuation
continuance (kuhn TIN yoo uhns)
The postponement of the proceedings in a court to a future date: "The judge ordered the continuance of the trial for the following week."
continuation (kuhn tin" yoo AY shuhn)
Resuming an activity after an interruption: "The children in the class anxiously awaited the continuation of the story after lunch."
continue, resume
continue (kuhn TIN yoo)
To sustain a course of action or direction: "After lunch, we decided to continue our trip to the lake country."
resume (ri ZOOM)
To undertake an activity after an interruption: "There was considerable applause after which the speaker decided to resume his speech."
contract, contract
contract [as a noun] (KAHN trakt")
1. An agreement between two or more parties; especially, one that is written and enforceable by law: "The contract requires him to finish this project by the end of the year."
"The company was awarded a multi-million-dollar contract to build a new courthouse." 2. The branch of law dealing with formal agreements between parties: "He studied contract law so he could specialize in this form of legal work."3. To make an agreement to work or to pay someone to work: "The carpenter will contract with them to do the work on their house." 4. To agree formally to a marriage, an alliance, etc.: "The company wanted to contract an alliance with a former competitor." "They will contract legally for the marriage to take place in June." contract [as a verb] (kuhn TRAKT)
1. To make something smaller or shorter: "He was able to contract his lips into a frown and to contract his muscles at the same time."
2. To become ill with a disease: "She apparently did indeed contract malaria while she was traveling in Africa." converge, diverge
converge (kuhn VURJ)
To move towards a common point or point of interest: "The two lanes of the highway will converge at the edge of the city."
"During their discussion, the two members of the debate team realized that their views on the subject did in fact converge." diverge (di VURJ, digh VURJ)
To move away from a common point or point of agreement: "Watching the road signs carefully, the driver noticed the lanes of the highway diverged at the intersection, one lane leading to the countryside."
"Realizing that our thoughts would diverge on the issue of the consequence for highway speeding, we decided to go for a cup of tea." conversion, diversion
conversion (kuhn VUR zhuhn, kuhn VUR shuhn)
1. A clear and decisive decision to adopt a particular religion: "After much thought and prayer, he was sure his conversion to the faith of his girlfriend was the right decision."
2. The accomplishment of a point or free throw in a sports activity; such as, American Football: "The team captain kicked the ball for the conversion point, tying the game, 1 to 1." diversion (di VUR zhuhn, di VUR shuhn; digh VUR zhuhn, digh VUR shuhn)
A distraction from the pursuit of an activity: "The presence of chocolate candy in the kitchen proved to be a diversion from her decision to do her homework assignments."
convince, persuade
convince (kuhn VINS)
By argument or discussion to bring to a point of agreement or understanding: "You will convince me of your point of view if you can show me one more research study."
persuade (puhr SWAYD)
To determine a course of action as the result of argument or pleading: "You are right, you did persuade me to come on the country drive today."
convulsion, revulsion
convulsion (kuhn VUL shuhn)
A violent or uncontrolled fit often accompanied by violent contractions of muscles: "The doctor prescribed medication to control her tendency to have a convulsion when anxious."
revulsion (ri VUL shuhn)
A negative reaction or sudden pulling away from a situation, individual, etc.: "She showed a natural revulsion to the putrid smells in the factory."
coo, coup
coo (KOO)
To utter the typical murmuring sound of a dove or pigeon; or a similar sound: "Learning over the baby’s crib, Grandmother began to coo and smile at the baby."
2. To express or to utter fondly or amorously, as with a murmuring sound: "The lovers sat on the bench in the park so they could coo and bill without interruption." coup (KOO)
1. A coup d'état or the sudden overthrowing of a government; literally, "a stroke of state": "The change of government was accomplished by a coup, headed by academics from the university."
2. A sudden appropriation of leadership or power; a takeover: "The joining of the two major companies was an unexpected coup for the Board of Directors." cool, cool, cool, cool, cool
cool (KOOL)
Neither warm nor very cold; moderately cold: "We enjoyed the fresh, cool water flowing by our tent during a cool autumn evening in the park."
cool (KOOL)
Marked by calm self-control: "She was a cool negotiator during the heat of the argument."
cool (KOOL)
Referring to, relating to, or characteristic of colors; such as, blue and green, that produce the impression of coolness: "The moderate blue of the room seemed to make me feel cool and comfortable."
cool (KOOL)
To make less ardent, intense, or zealous: "The problems that arose tended to cool my enthusiasm for the project."
cool (KOOL)
In a calm manner or a way that does not seem unusual or excited: "She didn't want to seem too eager, so she tried to play it cool or to pretend to be calm even though she wasn't feeling calm."
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