This is a guide to help learners to communicate easily in both speech and writing through a better understanding of the English language.
Blame
According to grammarians, the expression ‘blame something on a person’ should be avoided. Instead you should say, ‘blame a person for something.’ In formal writing you can say, ‘put the blame on someone for something.’
Blatant / flagrant
Something bad that is blatant is very clear and easy to see, but the person responsible for it does not seem embarrassed or ashamed.
John was caught out in a blatant lie.
A flagrant action is shocking because it is done in a way that is easily noticed and shows no respect for laws.
The police inspector was charged with flagrant violations of human rights.
Bloom / blossom
If a plant or flower blooms, its flowers appear or open. It also means ‘become happier, healthier or more successful in a way that is very noticeable.’
Sandra was blooming the last time I saw her.
If trees blossom, they produce flowers.
The apple trees in his garden are just beginning to blossom.
It also means ‘become happier, more beautiful or more successful.’
Shivanthi has blossomed out in her new school.
Although the two words – bloom and blossom – are synonyms, ‘bloom’ may imply a completion and ‘blossom’ a state of progress.
Blueprint
The word ‘blueprint’ usually means ‘a plan for achieving something.’ It also means a photographic print of a plan for a building or machine on special blue paper.
Bona fide / bona fides
‘Bona fide’ means ‘real, true and not intended to deceive anyone.’
Only bona fide members are allowed to enter the club.
If you check someone’s bonafides, you check that they are who they say they are, and that their intentions are good and honest.
Ron’s bonafides was questionable.
Bottleneck
A bottleneck is a place on a road where the traffic cannot pass easily. It also means a delay in one stage of a process that makes the whole process take longer.
Understaffing can cause a real bottleneck in workplaces.
Bravado / bravery
‘Bravado’ means ‘behaviour that is deliberately intended to make other people believe you are brave and confident.’
‘Bravery’ means ‘actions, behaviour or an attitude that shows courage and confidence.
Brother / brethren
A brother is a male who has the same parents as you.
Susi has two brothers William and Mark.
‘Brethren’ is used to address or talk about the members of an organisation or group, especially a religious group.
Broadcast
‘Broadcast’ means ‘to send out radio or television programmes.’
The President’s speech was broadcast live on all television channels.
‘Broadcast’ remains unchanged in its past tense and past participle.
Burglar / burgle
A burglar is someone who goes into houses to steal things.
The verb ‘burgle’ has been formed from the noun ‘burglar.’ It is a good example of back formation.
Burlesque / caricature
‘Burlesque’ means ‘speech, acting or writing in which a serious subject is made to seem silly or an unimportant subject is treated in a serious way for the sake of laughter.’
A caricature is a picture ludicrously exaggerating the defects and peculiarities of a person or things.
Scientists are often caricatured as absent-minded professors.
Burn / burned / burnt
If a fire burns, it produces heat and flames.
The past tense ‘burned’ is usually used when the verb is intransitive.
Thelma burned with desire to possess the diamond.
The past tense ‘burnt’ is often used in the transitive form, where there is an object.
Rex burnt his boats behind him.
The adjective is always ‘burnt.’
When the meal came out of the oven, it was like a burnt offering.
Bye
‘Bye for now’ means ‘you will see or speak to someone again soon.’
‘Bye-bye’ is used when speaking to children, friends or members of your family.
Say bye-bye to Daddy.