10 October 2016 - CONFUSING WORDS

CONFUSING WORDS

G'day folks,

Time for some more of those tricky words that trip us up from time to time.

 figuratively / literally

Figuratively is an adverb that means metaphorically or symbolically: “Happening upon the shadowy figure, they figuratively jumped out of their shoes.” 

Literally is an adverb that means word for word or according to the exact meaning of the words: “I translated the Latin passage literally.”

foreword / forward

Foreword is a noun that means an introductory note or preface: “In my foreword I explained my reasons for writing the book.” 

Forward is an adjective or adverb that means toward the front: “I sat in the forward section of the bus. Please step forward when your name is called.” 

Forward is also a verb that means to send on: “Forward the letter to the customer's new address.”

hanged / hung

Hanged is the past tense and past participle of hang when the meaning is to execute by suspending by the neck: “They hanged the prisoner for treason.” “The convicted killer was hanged at dawn.”

Hung is the past tense and participle of hang when the meaning is to suspend from above with no support from below: “I hung the painting on the wall.” “The painting was hung at a crooked angle.”

information / knowledge

Information, a noun, is a fact or knowledge about a specific event or subject.

Knowledge, a noun, means having information and understanding it through experience.

it's / its

It's is a contraction for it is, whereas its is the possessive form of it: “It's a shame that we cannot talk about its size.”

laid / lain / lay 

Laid is the past tense and the past participle of the verb lay and not the past tense of lie. 

Lay is the past tense of the verb lie and lain is the past participle: “He laid his books down and lay down on the couch, where he has lain for an hour.”

melody / tune

A melody, which is a noun, is a group of notes in a certain order that results in a sweet or agreeable sound.

A tune, a which is a noun, is an easily remembered melody.

part / portion

Part, a noun, is piece of something that has been divided. When all the pieces are put together, they equal a whole.

A portion, a noun, is a share or part used or given in a specific way.

passport / visa

A passport, which is a noun, is a document, usually a booklet, that states a person's official identity and citizenship and allows that person to visit another country.

A visa, which is a noun, is stamped on a passport. It shows that the passport has been examined by the officials of a country and permits entry into that country.

Clancy's comment: I hope these have been helpful.

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