PERISHABLE / PERISHING
Perishable:
liable to die or perish quickly.
e.g.
Fresh vegetables are perishable if
you don't put them in the refrigerator.
Perishing:
causing suffering.
e.g.
Negative thinking may cause perishing emotions
and thoughts.
A FEW / FEW
A few has a more positive meaning; few has a more negative meaning.
e.g. A
few people might
ask for your help (some, not too many).
e.g. We
were disappointed that only few people
showed up (hardly any).
FOUL / FOWL
Foul means dirty or
offensive; fowl is a bird,
such as hen.
e.g.
The smoke from that factory fouls the air. (as a verb)
e.g. He
always speak foul language, even in the presence of
ladies. (as an adjective)
e.g. We
are going to have a roast fowl for dinner tonight.
SEDATIVE / SEDENTARY
Sedative:
calming or soothing.
e.g.
Without her sedative medicine,
she could not go to sleep.
Sedentary:
accustomed to sitting; physically inactive.
e.g
His sedentary work
-- sitting in front of the computer -- took a toll on his health.
e.g.
Most seniors have a sedentary lifestyle
as they continue to age.
FRAGILE / FRAIL
Fragile:
delicate, easily broken.
e.g.
This piece of antique is fragile;
please handle with care.
Frail:
weak in health; without strong support.
e.g.
He looks pale and frail.
e.g.
The Senator received frail support
from his party.
PERIODIC / PERIODICAL
Periodic:
occurring again and again.
e.g.
The singer has never really retired with periodic appearance on TV.
Periodical:
published at regular intervals.
e.g.
This is a periodical magazine
-- published once a month.
IMPAIR / REPAIR
Impair:
weaken or repair.
e.g.
Spending too much time on the computer may impair your vision.
Repair: fix
e.g.
Eye exercises can repair your
vision
Stephen
Lau
Copyright©
by Stephen Lau
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