Confusable words | Sunday Observer

Confusable words

14 May, 2021

Some words in English appear to be similar but they have different meanings.
Bona fide / bona fides
Bona fide is an adjective meaning ‘real, true and not intended to deceive anyone.’ Only bona fide members were allowed to enter the club.
Bona fides is a noun. If you check someone’s bona fides, you check who they are and whether their intentions are good and honest.
The security guard hoped the member’s bona fides was sufficiently convincing to allow him entry.
Born / borne
‘Born’ is exclusively used in relation to birth.
Jane was born on April 1.
‘Borne’ is the past participle of ‘bear.’
She had borne the baby over the full term.
Both / each / either
‘Both’ embraces two people or things.
Both Helen’s sons are doctors.
Hold it in both hands.
‘Each’ refers separately to one of two or more things.
Each of the three pots was riddled with holes.
‘Either’ means one or the other of two things or people.
Could either of you lend me Rs 1,000?
Bravery / bravado
‘Bravery’ means actions, behaviour or an attitude that show courage and confidence.
Winning the war against terrorism was an act of great bravery.
‘Bravado’ is behaviour that is deliberately intended to make other people believe that you are brave and confident. In other words, it is the ostentatious pretense of bravery.
Breach / breech
To breach is to break or violate a rule.
Sam sued the company for breach of contract.
Breech is the part of a gun into which you put the bullets.
Broach / brooch
To broach is to open up.
Finally, Brenda broached the delicate subject of her marriage.
A brooch is a piece of jewellery usually fixed to the clothing with a pin.
Britain / Great Britain / the United Kingdom
Britain and Great Britain are synonymous. They mean the union of England, Scotland and Wales. The United Kingdom comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The UK citizens are known as British, Britons, Britishers or Brits.
Buffet
Buffet (pronounced as spelt) means to batter.
The ship was buffeted by gales.
A buffet (pronounced ‘boo-fay’) is a counter from which refreshments are served.
Bulls and bears
Bulls buy shares when they think the price will rise to sell them later at a profit. Bears sell shares when they expect the market to go down, hoping to buy them back later at a much lower price.
Burglar / burgle / burglary / robbery / stealing
A burglar does the breaking-in to burgle. A burglary is entering premises with intent to steal. Robbery is stealing that involves violence. Theft is synonymous with stealing.
Burned / burnt
The past tense and past participle of ‘burn’ can be burned or burnt.
Bust / burst
Bust is to break something.
I bust my watch this morning.
If something bursts or if you burst it, it breaks open suddenly and violently and its contents come out.
The pipes had burst and the house went under two feet of water.
Calendar / calender
A calendar is a table showing the succession of years, months and days. A calender is a pair or series of rollers through which cloth or paper is pressed.
Callous / callus
Callous denotes insensitivity in people.
George had a callous attitude towards animals.
A callus is a hard patch of skin.
 

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