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.condemnation, commendation
condemnation (kon" dem NAY shuhn)
A statement or expression of very strong and definite criticism or disapproval: "The government's statement was a condemnation of all acts of terrorism."
commendation (kom" uhn DAY shuhn)
1. The act of praising or approving someone or something: "Their hard work deserves commendation."
2. An official letter that praises someone publicly: "The soldier was awarded a commendation for bravery." condom, condone, condominium
condom (KON duhm)
A flexible sheath, usually made of thin rubber or latex: "A condom, to be worn by a man, is recommended by doctors as a way to prevent a woman from becoming pregnant or to prevent the spread of diseases."
condone (kuhn DOHN)
To overlook, forgive, or disregard (an offense) without protest or censure: "The dean at the university sought to condone the students’ activities, refusing to call in the authorities."
condominium (kon" duh MIN ee uhm)
A building or complex in which units of property, such as apartments, are owned by individuals and common parts of the property, such as the grounds and building structure, are owned jointly by the unit owners: "We were considering the purchase of a condominium in the same building where our aunt and uncle are living."
confidant, confidante, confident
confidant (KAHN fi dant", KAHN fi dahnt")
Someone with whom secret or confidential information may be shared: "The king’s trusted confidant was his uncle."
confidante [feminine form] (KAHN fi dahnt")
Female form of confidant: "The queen’s confidante was a young woman she had known from childhood."
confident (KAHN fi duhnt)
Being sure of oneself: "Being confident is the feeling a person has before he, or she, knows better."
I am confident that a confidante is someone who never betrays a confidence without first imposing the strictest secrecy. Confident is the feeling some people have before they know better. confirm, conform
confirm (kuhn FURM)
To establish as true that which was doubtful or uncertain; to verify: "The employer was finally able to confirm the rumor about the loss of jobs."
conform (kuhn FORM)
To behave in a conventional way; especially, in accepting customs, traditions, or prevailing opinions: "When we moved to a new country, we had to conform to new ways of doing things."
confirmer, conformer
confirmer (kuhn FURM uhr)
An individual or authority who can, by statement, remove doubts or questions about a situation: "Her position of authority at the university made her the perfect confirmer to dispute the rumors circulating on campus."
conformer (kuhn FORM uhr)
Someone who adapts to the current customs or standards; or who acts in harmony or agreement with others: "Although he was seen as a conformer, he never lost sight of his integrity."
congregation, conjugation
congregation (kong" gri GAY shuhn)
A body of assembled people or things; a gathering: "The priest addressed the congregation."
conjugation (kon" juh GAY shuhn)
The presentation of an inflected verb form: "Part of the conjugation of the verb to be (in the singular, present tense) is: I am, you are, he/she/it is."
connotation, denotation
connotation (kon" uh TAY shuhn)
1. An idea or meaning suggested by or associated with a word or thing: "For some people, the word fat has a negative connotation."
2. The set of associations implied by a word in addition to its literal meaning: "The word childlike has a connotation of innocence or of being a pest." denotation (dee" noh TAY shuhn)
Something signified or referred to; a particular meaning of a symbol, word, or phrase: "The word has one literal denotation but several different connotations."
connote, denote
connote (kuh NOHT)
To make people think about something in addition to the word's meaning: "For me, the word family will connote love and comfort."
denote (di NOHT)
To mean something: "The word derby can denote a horse race or a kind of hat."
conscience, conscientious, conscious
conscience (KAHN shuhns)
A knowledge or awareness of right and wrong; with a compulsion to do the right thing: "The teacher emphasized that the students should let their conscience be their guide when deciding what to do."
conscientious (kahn" shee EN shuhs)
Made or done according to what one knows is right and showing care and precision with painstaking efforts to do something properly: "She was a conscientious reporter, always checking her facts before writing the story."
conscious (KAHN shuhs)
Having a feeling or knowledge of one's own sensations, feelings, etc.; or being aware of one's external environment: "Standing on the edge of the canyon, she was conscious of the vast beauty of the place."
Conscience is the voice some people never hear until they are caught doing something wrong; while truly conscientious people are those whose consciences tell them to do the right thing even when they are conscious that they won't get caught. consecutive, successive
consecutive (kuhn SEK yuh tiv)
An orderly arrangement of words, objects, etc., one after another: "The young student surprised everyone by remembering the long list of consecutive words.""
successive (suhk SES iv)
Following in an uninterrupted order: "Successive generations will be grateful for the conservation practices of today."
consequence, consequents
consequence (KAHN si kwens", KAHN si kwuhns)
A result, sequel, outcome, or effect: "The decrease in sales was a consequence of some bad publicity about the company."
"Some say many jobs will be lost as a consequence of the trade agreement." consequents (KAHN si kwens", KAHN si kwuhns)
Following as a natural effect, result, or conclusion: "They tried to prevent an oil spill and the damage consequents it would have on wild life."
"Weather forecasters predict heavy rains and the flooding consequents that will result." consequent, subsequent
consequent (KAHN si kwent", KAHN si kwuhnt)
Something that follows as a natural effect, result, or conclusion: "The company tried to prevent an oil spill and the consequent damage to wildlife."
subsequent SUB si kwent", SUB si kwuhnt)
Following in time or order; succeeding: "Her work had a great influence on subsequ4nt generations."
conservation, conservative, Conservative, conserve
conservation (kahn" sur VAY shuhn)
Preservation or restoration from loss, damage, or neglect: "The old manuscripts were saved from deterioration by the program of library conservation."
conservative (kuhn SUR vuh tiv)
Favoring traditional views and values; believing in the value of established and traditional practices in politics and society: "He had some rather conservative ideas about the way life should be."
Conservative (kuhn SUR vuh tiv)
A member or supporter of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom or the Progressive Conservative Party in Canada: "He was elected as head of the Conservative Party in the U.K."
conserve (kuhn SURV)
To keep something safe from being damaged, lost, or destroyed: "With so little rain, everyone had to conserve water so there would be enough for the essentials of life."
console, console
console (kuhn SOHL)
To make someone feel less sad or disappointed; to comfort: "The prayers of the congregation did help to console her when her parents died."
console (KAHN sohl)
Among other things, this word refers to an instrument panel or unit, containing the controls for operating aircraft, computers, and other electrical or electronic systems: "The pilot sat before the console in the airplane, studying each light and button carefully."
consonance, consonants
consonance (KAHN suh nuhns)
Harmonious agreement among the components or parts, for example, of sounds: "The consonance of the syllables in the song was pleasing to listen to."
consonants (KAHN suh nuhnts)
A speech sound characterized by the constriction of one or more points along the breath channel during pronunciation: "The professor said that there are more consonants in the English alphabet than vowel sounds."
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