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 :
‘Too’ is more a familiar expression, ‘Also’ has something
more specified and formal.
‘Likewise’
implies more connection or agreement between the words it unites and ‘Besides’
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
‘Astonish’ means to effect very strongly with overpowering
wonder. ‘Amaze’ conveys the impression of some degree of perplexity or
bewilderment.
v. Anger and Wrath
‘Anger’ is more correctly applied to the inward feeling,
‘wrath’ to the outward manifestations.
vi. Amusement, Entertainment and
Recreation
‘Amusement’ is applied to a useful pursuit that pleases and
recreates the mind. ‘Entertainment’ 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 ‘announce’ is applied to persons and tidings, but not to
opinions. To ‘declare’ and ‘proclaim’ 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
‘answer’, but if this, again is ‘answered’ this second answer is called a
reply. ‘Answer’ is used to mean something which serves the purpose for which it
is said ie., which satisfies the questioner and defeats the opponent. A ‘reply’
is merely something said in return, or by way of an answer to some question or
attack.
ix. Ask, Request and Beg
‘Ask’ is the simplest form of making a request. ‘Request’
is more polite form of asking and ‘Beg’ is a stronger request.
x. Genuine and Authentic
A ‘genuine’ book is one, which was written by the person
whose name it bears, as the author of it. An ‘authentic’ book is that which
relates matters of fact as they really happened.
xi. Suffer, Bear and Endure
‘Suffer’ means some body pain or distress of body or mind.
To ‘bear’ or ‘endure’ 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.
