Exercise-5
Confusion Of Words
- Momentous (historic, important). I congratulate you on this momentous occasion.
Momentary (transient, short-lived). The joys of life are momentary.
- Naughty (mischievous). All his four sons are naughty.
 Knotty (difficult). I am caught in a knotty problem.
- Odious (contemptible, hateful). I hate him. He has an odious personality.
 Odorous (fragrant). The room is odorous because of the burning of incense.
- Official (concerning office or authority). I went to Delhi on an official visit.
Officious (intrusive, interfering). Our officious neighbour is always interfering in our family matters.
- Particular (special, precise). I want a particular kind of books.
 Peculiar (odd). His behaviour is very peculiar.
- Personal (private). This house is my personal property.
Personnel (people employed in an office, firm, etc.). The personnel of this factory are well-trained.
- Physician (a doctor). He is ill. Call the physician.
 Physicist (an expert in the subject of physics). Dr Kalam is a famous physicist.
- Popular (famous, liked by people). He is a popular leader.
 Populous (having populated). Kolkata is a populous city.
- Practicable (possible). Your scheme is not practicable.
 Practical (use fid, fit for action). He gave me practical suggestions about managing the family budget.
- Pray (to pray to God). I always pray in the morning.
Prey (victim). He fell a prey to police firing.
- Precede (to happen before). A dust storm preceded the rain.
Proceed (to go on). The enquiry is not proceeding well.
- Prescribe (advise or order the use of). The doctor has prescribed this medicine for me.
Proscribe (to prohibit). The doctors have prescribed the use of this drug.
- Principal (chief). Our Principal is a wise man.
Principle (law or rule of action). We should follow high principles in life.
- Prosecute (to initiate legal action against). Radhey Shyam was prosecuted for attacking his officer.
Persecute (to torture or make someone suffer). The Jews were persecuted by Hitler in Germany.
- Query (question). The minister answered the queries of the press reporters.
Quarry (prey). The hawk finally nabbed its quarry.
- Reign (rule). India made a lot of progress during the reign of King Vikramaditya.
 Reins (bridle of a horse, etc.). A horse can be controlled by its reins.
- Reverend (deserving reverence). Mother Teresa was a revered figure.
 Reverent (feeling or showing reverence). lie entered the church with a reverent heart.
- Review (critical evaluation). The editor published a review of my book.
 Revue (a theatrical exhibition). I went to the theatre to watch a review.
- Sensible (reasonable, having common sense). Your action in this matter was not sensible.
 Sensitive (easily affected or moved). She is a sensitive young lady.
- Sensual (carnal, relating to physical satisfaction). He passes most of his time running after sensual pleasures.
 Sensuous (pertaining to the senses). The poetry of John Keats is highly sensuous.
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