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.common, vulgar
common (KAHM uhn)
1. That which is familiar or known by the general population: "It was common knowledge in the village that if there were no clouds in the sky, it obviously would not rain."
2. Falling below generally accepted standards, second rate: "Her manners appeared to be common, suggesting she had not lived in the city for very long." vulgar (VUL guhr)
1. Crude, undeveloped, lacking in generally accepted good taste: "His speech was peppered with vulgar expressions which offended the audience."
2. Relating to the common people or the speech of common people: "The word vulgar comes from Latin vulgus, 'the common people, the multitude, a crowd, the throng' which is why it was placed here as a comparison with the other word in this group." communicate, commute, compute
communicate (kuh MYOO ni kayt")
To exchange or to provide information in a manner that is clear and understandable: "To help herself to communicate better in the court room, the lawyer decided to take a public speaking course."
commute (kuh MYOOT)
1. To travel to and from a place in a regular fashion: "His daily commute from home to office took about one hour each way."
2. To change a decision or penalty to something less severe: "The courts decided to commute his sentence from the death penalty to 25 years in prison for his crimes." compute (kuhm PYOOT)
To work out an answer by mathematical means: "The accountant used an adding machine to compute her tax rebate."
communication, computation
communication (kuh myoo" ni KAY shuhn)
Information provided in a manner that may include verbal, written, or behavioral: "He studied the intern's communication skills, reviewing written memos, noting her posture, and the use of her voice."
computation (kahm" pyoo TAY shuhn)
The act of determining, by mathematical means, the solution to a numerical problem: "Her computation skills were exceptional, earning her praise from her mathematics instructor."
compact, compact, impact
compact (kuhm PAKT, KAHM pakt")
1. Closely or solidly packed with little or no extra space: "The cabin was compact but it was still perfectly adequate."
2. Smaller than other things of the same kind: "The camera is compact and it is still very versatile." 3. A small case in which to carry cosmetics; such as, face powder: "The movie star got out her compact in order to powder her nose." 4. An automobile which is smaller than a medium sized car: "In order to save gas, the couple decided to purchase a compact car, replacing their larger model." compact (KAHM pakt")
An agreement or a covenant: "The knight swore a compact with his king to protect the kingdom."
impact (IM pakt")
1. The act or force of one thing hitting something else: "No one could have survived such an impact of the large stone that came tumbling down that mountain onto the highway."
2. To make forceful contact with: "The impact of the collusion caused the air bags to inflate, saving the passengers from serious injury." 3. The impression of something which may be compelling or significant: "The impact of the discoveries of Madam Curie revolutionized science." compellation, compilation
compellation (kahm" puh LAY shuhn)
The act of addressing or designating someone by name: "John Smith was the compellation of the author of the book."
compilation (kahm" puh LAY shuhn)
Something, such as a set of data, a report, or an anthology, that is gathered into a collection: "He had an extensive compilation of research data for his report to the government."
complacent, complaisant
complacent (kuhm PLAY suhnt
Self-satisfied and unconcerned: "The expression on his face was complacent, reflecting his lack of concern for the situation."
complaisant (kuh PLAY suhnt, kum PLAY zuhnt)
Exhibiting a desire or willingness to please; cheerfully obliging: "The butler, as represented in the movies, was always complaisant, speaking cheerfully to the guests."
complement, compliment
complement (KOM pluh muhnt)
1. Something that completes or perfects something else: "The new hat is a great complement to her outfit."
2. The usual number or quantity of something that is needed or used: "He had a full complement of animals for his farm." compliment (KOM pluh muhnt)
1. A remark that says something good about someone or something: "He told her that he admired her paintings and she returned the compliment by saying that she was a fan of his sculptures."
2. An action that expresses admiration or approval: "When people recommend my book to friends and family members, I consider that to be the best compliment I can receive." I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough. In fact, nobody has ever been bored by someone paying him a compliment. complementary, complimentary
complementary (kom" pluh MEN tuh ree, kom" pluh MEN tree)
Going well together or working well together: "My wife and I have complementary objectives for the next years."
complimentary (kom" pluh MEN tuh ree, kom" pluh MEN tree)
1. Expressing praise or admiration for someone or something: "They made complimentary remarks about his singing."
2. Something which is given free of any charges: "The restaurant offers valet parking as a complimentary service." complete, finished
complete (kuhm PLEET)
Having all the necessary parts; brought to a conclusion: "The kit was complete, having all the parts to build the model railroad car."
"The department manager stated that when the report is complete, he wanted to see it ASAP." finished (FIN ish't)
1. To terminate, to bring to an end: "The speaker finished the speech with an amusing story."
2. Having reached the end of an activity, job, etc.: "He started his homework two hours ago and he still isn't finished." complex, compound
complex (kuhm PLEKS, KOM pleks")
Complicated, a group of related items, the nature of which is not completely understood: "The scientist studied the complex of atoms, trying to understand what they represented."
"The teacher asked her students to write an example of a complex sentence." compound (kom POUND, kuhm POUND)
1. To combine in such a manner as to create a whole or a mixture: "The druggist created a compound of several different medications to treat the rash on the patient's arm."
2. In banking, to pay interest on both the actual money (principal) in the bank, and the interest accrued: "The banks' policy stated that compound interest would be paid three times a year." comprehensible, comprehensive
comprehensible (kahm" pri HEN suh buhl)
Understandable: "The secretary's job was to translate the manager's directives into comprehensible language for the workers in the factory."
comprehensive (kahm" pri HEN siv)
Complete, inclusive; dealing with all or many of the relevant details: "The director stated that the new report was the most comprehensive and comprehensible one she had ever read."
concert, consort
concert (KAHN surt)
A performance of music or dancing that is typically intended for the public: "She decided to buy a balcony ticket in order to attend the concert on the weekend."
consort (KAHN sort")
1. To maintain an association with an individual or group: "He was pleased when he realized that his daughter liked to consort with the musicians who often put on concerts in the park."
"He has indicated that he wants to consort with other writers." 3. A spouse, typically thought of as regal: "The Prince Consort often accompanied the queen during her travels."4. A ship accompanying another in travel: "As the oil ship was traveling through the dangerous piracy area, there was a consort ship which was prepared to protect the bigger one." concession, confession
concession (kuhn SESH uhn)
1. The act of giving up something or doing something in order to reach an agreement: "The company was willing to make this one concession to the strikers during negotiations."
2. Something that is done because a particular situation makes it necessary or desirable: "I take afternoon naps now as a concession to my working so late every day." confession (kuhn FESH uhn)
1. A written or oral statement acknowledging guilt, made by someone who has been accused or charged with an offense: "She went to the police station and made a full confession."
2. The act of telling others about something that makes a person embarrassed, ashamed, etc.: "I have a confession to make about not being prepared to do this assignment." 3. An avowal of belief in the doctrines of a particular faith; a creed: "He expressed his confession of faith as a member of a group of worshipers who adhered to the same specific creed." concise, succinct
concise (kuhn SIGHS)
A brief expression or statement without elaboration or detail: "The director asked for a concise statement of the company's financial situation."
succinct (suhk SINGKT)
A precise, terse, expression in a few words: "Her succinct summary at the end of the speech summed up the information."
condemn, contemn
condemn (kuhn DEM)
1. To express strong disapproval of: "He wanted to condemn the needless waste of government money."
2. To judge or to declare to be unfit for use or consumption, usually by an official order: "The official said he had to condemn the old building because it was not safe." contemn (kuhn TEM)
To view with contempt; to despise: "When he heard the speech, he could only contemn it as inappropriate and vulgar."
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