They are the words nearly same or similar
in meaning at first sight, they seem to mean very much the same thing, but a
closer examination reveals important difference in meaning.
Examples :
i. Accurate, Exact, Precise :
What is accurate must be exact, but exactness does not
necessarily mean accurate. An accurate writer is one who aims at exactness. We
speak of an exact coincidence. Precise when applied to things is nearly the
same as exact, but less extended in significance.
ii. Allow and Permit :
Allow is used more in the active use to give positive
sanction to the action and Permit more in passive sense implies not to hinder
him.
iii. Also, Too, Likewise, Besides :
âTooâ is more a familiar expression, âAlsoâ has something
more specified and formal.
âLikewiseâ
implies more connection or agreement between the words it unites and âBesidesâ
is used rather when some additional circumstance is named after others as a
kind of after thought and generally to introduce some new clause of sentence.
iv. Astonish and Amaze
âAstonishâ means to effect very strongly with overpowering
wonder. âAmazeâ conveys the impression of some degree of perplexity or
bewilderment.
v. Anger and Wrath
âAngerâ is more correctly applied to the inward feeling,
âwrathâ to the outward manifestations.
vi. Amusement, Entertainment and
Recreation
âAmusementâ is applied to a useful pursuit that pleases and
recreates the mind. âEntertainmentâ conveys the idea of a big show or
spectacle. Recreation means refreshment after business or some hectic life
suit.
vii. Announce, Proclaim and Declare
To âannounceâ is applied to persons and tidings, but not to
opinions. To âdeclareâ and âproclaimâ to opinions, but not to persons. To
announce is used with reference to the present and to things that are to happen
in the near future.
viii. Answer and Reply
The first time a question is responded is always called an
âanswerâ, but if this, again is âansweredâ this second answer is called a
reply. âAnswerâ is used to mean something which serves the purpose for which it
is said ie., which satisfies the questioner and defeats the opponent. A âreplyâ
is merely something said in return, or by way of an answer to some question or
attack.
ix. Ask, Request and Beg
âAskâ is the simplest form of making a request. âRequestâ
is more polite form of asking and âBegâ is a stronger request.
x. Genuine and Authentic
A âgenuineâ book is one, which was written by the person
whose name it bears, as the author of it. An âauthenticâ book is that which
relates matters of fact as they really happened.
xi. Suffer, Bear and Endure
âSufferâ means some body pain or distress of body or mind.
To âbearâ or âendureâ is to suffer that distress or pain with fortitude.
xii. Beautiful, Handsome
Beautiful implies some degree of softness and delicacy. Handsome implies the beauty of some person or thing which is trained or cultivated.
xiii. Completely, Entirely
Completely is used in question of degree, entirely in those
of quantity.
xiv. Confidence, Trust, Reliance
Confidence implies trust, but trust does not imply
confidence. We may report trust in a person in whose character we have no
confidence. But we can repose confidence only in that man whom we trust.
Reliance is only applied to qualities or actions; not in general to persons.
xv. Distinguish, Discriminate
To distinguish is merely to mark broad and obvious
differences, to discriminate is to notice minuter and more subtle difference.
xvi. Error, Mistake, Blunder
Error is always used to designate some action which is
blamed, whether morally or intellectually. It may proceed from nothing but a
failure in judgment implying some degree of blame though slight. An error is
always a mistake. A mistake may attach no sort of blame to the person who makes
it. A blunder implies a mistake which is inconsistent with the knowledge the
person possesses.
xvii. Prohibit, Forbid
Prohibit has often a more official character than is
implied by forbid, which is often used in relation to private life.
xviii. Gift, Present
Gift is an act of generosity, it contributes to the benefit
to the receiver, the present is an act of kindness, courtesy or respect, it
contributes to the pleasure to the receiver.
xix. Illusion, Delusion
Illusion has most to do with the visions of the
imagination, it is an idea which is presented before us and which does not
exist in reality, delusion with some decided mental deception, a false view
entertained of something which really exists.
xx. Nearly, almost
Nearly is applied to questions of quantity, time and space,
almost to questions of degree.
xxi. Wisdom, prudence
Wisdom
consists in the ready and accurate perception of analogies, it consists in the
use of best means for the attainment of the most important ends. Prudence is
the lower kind of wisdom, consisting in the employment of the best means for
the attainment of any end.