This is a guide to help learners to communicate easily in both speech and writing through a better understanding of the English language.
Inculcate / indoctrinate
‘Inculcate’ means ‘to fix ideas or principles in someone’s mind.’
Try to inculcate a sense of responsibility in your children.
‘Indoctrinate’ means ‘to train someone to accept a particular set of beliefs, especially political or religious ones, and not consider any others.’
In some countries people are indoctrinated not to question their leaders.
Indifferent
‘Indifferent’ means ‘not at all interested in someone or something.’
Sarah was absolutely indifferent to me and it hurt.
‘Indifferent’ also means ‘not particularly good’ as in an indifferent cook.
Individual
An individual is a person considered separately from the group of society that they live.
Each individual receives two genes, one inherited from each parent.
‘Private individuals’ are ordinary people.
Most temples have been built with donations from private individuals.
The adverb ‘individually’ means ‘separately, not together in a group.’
The bride thanked the guests individually.
Colloquially, an individual is a term of contempt.
An extraordinary individual walked into the room.
Indoor / indoors
‘Indoor’ is an adjective used only before a noun.
Some people keep a lot of indoor plants.
‘Indoors’ is an adverb meaning ‘into or inside a building.’
When it rains we like to stay indoors.
Induction / deduction
‘Induction’ is the process of drawing a general principle from certain specific facts.
‘Deduction’ is assuming the truth of a specific fact because of a known set of general principles.
‘Induction’ also means ‘the introduction of someone into a new job, company or official position or the ceremony at which this is done.
Sam is responsible for the induction of new university staff.
Industrial / industrious
‘Industrial’ means ‘relating to an industry or the people working in it.’
There is a rapid industrial development in western countries.
‘Industrial action’ means ‘a strike by workers.’
An industrialist is someone who owns or runs a factory or industrial company.
Someone who is industrious works hard.
Infamous / notorious
‘Infamous’ means ‘well known for being bad or evil.’
Rob was an infamous killer.
Some countries are infamous for drugs and crimes.
‘Notorious’ means ‘famous or well-known for something bad.’
Roger was a notorious computer hacker.
Inflammable / flammable
Inflammable materials or substances will start to burn very easily.
Petrol is highly inflammable.
Something that is flammable burns easily.
Petrol is a highly flammable liquid.
‘Inflammable’ and ‘flammable’ are synonyms.
Informant / informer
An informant is someone who informs or gives information.
An informer also gives information, but the word is used more specifically to apply to someone who passes on incriminating evidence to a prosecuting officer.
The witness was a paid informant for the FBI.
Ingenious / ingenuous
An ingenious plan, idea or object works well and is the result of clever thinking and new ideas.
Many fish have ingenious ways of protecting their eggs.
An ingenuous person is simple, trusting and honest, especially because they have not had much experience of life.
Barbara’s ingenuous manner was the chief quality for which she was chosen for the job.
‘Ingenuity’ is the noun for ‘ingenious’ and ‘ingenuousness’ is the noun for ‘ingenuous.’
Inherent / innate
A quality that is inherent in something is a natural part of it and cannot be separated from it.
There are certain problems inherent in the system of democracy.
An innate quality or ability is something you are born with.
Most children have an innate ability to learn languages.
Inhibit / prohibit
‘Inhibit’ means ‘to prevent something from growing or developing well.’
An unhappy family life may inhibit children’s learning.
‘Prohibit’ is to forbid by authority to prevent or hinder.
It is prohibited to spit here.
Innuendo
An innuendo is a remark that suggests something unpleasant without saying it directly.
His campaign was based on rumours, innuendoes and gossip.