Rational, an adjective, means having or exercising the ability to reason. Is it rational to believe that life exists on other planets? Rationale, a noun, refers to an explanation or basic reason. We do not understand the rationale for selling the business.
Category: Confusing Words
Rarely ever
Avoid this phrase. Just use rarely by itself. Rarely (not rarely ever) do we hire someone without a degree.
Difference between Rare and Unprecedented
Rare means uncommon or unusual. Exposure to uranium is a rare cause of lung cancer. Unprecedented means without previous example. They faced a refugee crisis on an unprecedented scale.
Difference between Rapt and Wrapped
Rapt means carried away or wholly absorbed. They watched the mine rescue with rapt attention. Wrapped means to bundle, cover, or enclose. “A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.”—Benjamin Franklin
Rapport vs Rapore
Rapport, meaning a friendly relationship in which people understand each other very well, is the correct word. While rapore is not a word.
Difference between Rancor and Ranker
Rancor refers to long-lasting bitterness or hatred. The explosive testimony brought even more courtroom rancor. Ranker refers to a person with an official position or grade. The paper says he was only a middle ranker and not a senior military leader.
Difference between Rack and Wrack
Rack and wrack both mean to strain or torment. Prefer rack. We are racking our brains to remember the name of that song.
Difference between Rabble rouser and Rebel rouser
Rabble rouser, an agitator, is the correct expression. The phrase first appeared in England in the mid-19th century as a combination of rabble and rouse. A group of rabble rousers disrupted the football game.
Difference between Quotation and Quote
Quotation, a noun, refers to words someone said. The quotations of JFK and Churchill continue to be popular. Quote, a verb, means to repeat the words of someone. Do you mind if the press quotes you on that statement? Note: Used informally, quote is the shortened word for quotation. The online service offers a daily […]
Difference between Quiet and Quite
Quiet means silence. “All Quiet on the Western Front” is the first antiwar film with sound. Quite means really or close. The banana could quite possibly be the world’s perfect food. Jeb wasn’t quite the right person for this assignment.
Difference between Quell and Quench
Quell means to pacify, suppress, or put down with force. The new fiscal policies failed to quell the economic fears. Quench means to cool, extinguish, or satisfy. Some people use tea rather than water to quench their thirst.
Difference between Quash and Squash
Quash, which typically refers to legal action, means to annul or invalidate. Censorship rules permit the authorities to quash almost anything. Squash means to crush, squeeze, or suppress. If they had aspirations of winning, their efforts were squashed.