Distinguishing Related Words - SSAT Upper Level Verbal
- What is the difference between "compliment" and "complement"?
- Compliment = praise; complement = complete or go well with. Compliment expresses admiration, while complement enhances or completes something else.
- What is the distinction between "fewer" and "less" in formal usage?
- Fewer = countable items; less = uncountable amount. Fewer applies to discrete, countable nouns, whereas less pertains to continuous or mass quantities.
- What is the difference between "eminent" and "imminent"?
- Eminent = famous/distinguished; imminent = about to happen. Eminent describes prominence or distinction, while imminent signals something impending.
- Choose the correct word: "Please ___ the door is locked" (assure/ensure).
- Ensure. Ensure means to make sure or guarantee that a specific action or state occurs.
- What is the key distinction between "affect" and "effect" in standard usage?
- Affect = usually verb (influence); effect = usually noun (result). Distinguishes based on primary grammatical roles, where 'affect' influences as a verb and 'effect' denotes outcome as a noun.
- What is the difference between "credible" and "creditable"?
- Credible = believable; creditable = deserving praise. Credible means trustworthy or plausible, while creditable implies merit or commendation.
- Which word means "to bring forth a response": "elicit" or "evoke"?
- Elicit. Elicit specifically draws out a reaction or information, while evoke recalls emotions or images.
- What is the distinction between "allusion" and "illusion"?
- Allusion = indirect reference; illusion = deceptive appearance. Allusion is a subtle mention, differing from illusion which is a misleading perception.
- Choose the correct word: "Please add ___ sugar" (fewer/less).
- Less. Sugar is an uncountable mass noun, requiring 'less' to denote a reduced quantity.
- What is the key distinction between "evoke" and "invoke"?
- Evoke = call to mind; invoke = call on (authority) or cite. Evoke summons memories or feelings, whereas invoke appeals to authority or formally calls upon.
- Which word means "indifferent or unconcerned": "disinterested" or "uninterested"?
- Uninterested. Uninterested conveys a lack of interest or apathy, differing from disinterested which implies impartiality.
- What is the difference between "assure" and "ensure" in formal usage?
- Assure = reassure a person; ensure = make certain something happens. Assure provides confidence to a person, while ensure guarantees an outcome or condition.
- Choose the correct word: "Honesty is a guiding ___" (principal/principle).
- Principle. Principle refers to a moral or foundational belief that directs behavior.
- What is the difference between "elicit" and "illicit"?
- Elicit = draw out; illicit = illegal. Elicit means to extract or provoke, contrasting with illicit which denotes something unlawful.
- Choose the correct word: "A storm is ___" (eminent/imminent).
- Imminent. Imminent indicates an event about to occur, fitting the context of impending danger.
- What is the key distinction between "historic" and "historical"?
- Historic = important in history; historical = relating to history. Historic denotes significance in history, whereas historical pertains to past events generally.
- Choose the word meaning "to make something less severe": "alleviate" or "aggravate"?
- Alleviate. Alleviate means to lessen or relieve, contrasting with aggravate which means to worsen or intensify.
- What is the distinction between "principal" and "principle"?
- Principal = main or head; principle = rule or belief. Principal refers to something primary or a leader, whereas principle denotes a fundamental rule or value.
- What is the difference between "imply" and "infer"?
- Imply = suggest; infer = conclude from evidence. Imply involves hinting without stating directly, while infer requires deducing based on available information.
- Choose the correct word: "I have ___ books this year" (fewer/less).
- Fewer. Books are countable items, so 'fewer' is used to indicate a smaller number.
- Choose the correct word: "The novel makes an ___ to Greek myth" (allusion/illusion).
- Allusion. Allusion refers to an indirect or passing reference in literature or speech.
- Which word means "unbiased; having no personal stake": "disinterested" or "uninterested"?
- Disinterested. Disinterested indicates neutrality without personal bias, unlike uninterested which suggests indifference.
- Choose the correct word: "Her scarf will ___ the coat" (compliment/complement).
- Complement. Complement means to pair well with or complete, fitting the context of matching items.
- What is the distinction between "persuade" and "convince"?
- Convince = change belief; persuade = get someone to act. Convince alters someone's opinion or belief, whereas persuade motivates them to take action.