This is a guide to help learners to communicate easily in both speech and writing through a better understanding of the English language.
Balmy / barmy
Balmy weather or air is warm and pleasant.
‘Barmy’ means ‘slightly crazy.’
Brenda must be barmy if she thinks that she can get away with it.
Barbarian / barbaric
A barbarian is someone from a different tribe and people believe them to be wild and not civilised.
‘Barbaric’ means ‘very cruel and violent.’
The LTTE was known for its barbaric acts of terrorism.
Barrage
‘Barrage’ usually means ‘the continuous firing of guns to protect soldiers moving towards an enemy.’ It also means ‘a lot of questions or comments said at the same time.’
Despite facing a barrage of criticism, the minister pressed ahead with his speech.
Basic / basically
These two words are overworked vogue words.
It is a basic fact that hedgehogs hibernate in winter.
In the above sentence the word ‘basic’ can be omitted because it is superfluous.
However, if you say, “His basic premise was accurate” the word ‘basic’ means ‘fundamental.’
When you say, “The office is very basically equipped”, you mean ‘in a very simple way with only the things that are completely necessary.’
Bathos / pathos
‘Bathos’ is an anticlimax, a sudden leap from the sublime to the ridiculous.
It is a sentimental poem, trembling on the verge of bathos.
‘Pathos’ is the quality that a person or a situation has that makes you feel pity and sadness.
It was a scene full of pathos.
Begin / commence / start
‘Begin’ or ‘start’ is acceptable in daily use. Avoid using ‘commence’ except in formal, legal or business context.
Beneficence / benevolence
‘Beneficence’ is the act of doing good deeds. ‘Benevolence’ is the desire to do good deeds.
Thanks to the beneficence of the old boys, the school building has been repaired.
Soyza’s benevolence was an outstanding feature of his character.
Bereaved / bereft
‘Bereaved’ means ‘having lost a close friend or relative because they have recently died.’
I saw a bereaved mother crying at the funeral.
‘Bereft’ means ‘completely without any hope.’
The party manifesto was bereft of new ideas.
Beside / besides
‘Beside’ means ‘next to or very close to someone or something’
Laura came up and sat beside me.
‘Besides’ means ‘in addition to a point or statement’
Will there be anyone else we know at the party besides James and Janet?
Between
The use of this preposition is somewhat tricky.
This secret is between you and me. (NOT You and I)
To understand fully, you should read between the lines. (NOT between each line)
Beware
‘Beware’ is used to warn someone to be careful because something is dangerous.
Beware of the dog! (Be wary of the dog)
Beware of doing anything to arouse suspicion.
Biannual / biennial
These two words have distinct meanings.
‘Biannual’ means ‘twice a year.’
‘Biennial’ means ‘every two years.’
Big / great / large
‘Big’ or ‘large’ implies size. ‘Great’ implies an extreme degree or extension of something.
Abraham Lincoln was a great American President. There was a large crowd waiting.
I saw a big pumpkin in the farm.
We do not usually use ‘big’ before uncountable nouns.
Instead of saying ‘big progress,’ say ‘great progress.’
Bad-tempered
There are many ways of saying that someone is bad-tempered.
Be careful, the boss is very irritable today.
The new manager has a very short fuse and often shouts at others.
A grumpy old man scolded me.
Laura is very crabby because she has a bad tooth.
After the marriage he found his wife to be a rather ill-tempered woman.
Her father too is an irascible old man.
Karen is getting a bit cantankerous in her old age.
Grandmother can be very petulant at times.
The food was good, but we were served by a very surly waiter.