Concerning physical condition: Acute refers to an extremely severe or sharp condition. While playing basketball, he experienced acute stomach pain. Chronic refers to a lingering or prolonged condition. Through stretching exercises, one can relieve chronic back pain.
Actual time vs Real time
Actual time—the time to be compared with the standard or expected time. The actual time of its [Indian summer] occurrence and the character of the weather appear to vary for different regions. Real time— 1. the time during which an event occurs. The date displayed by monitors is from the previous day, making it almost impossible to know the […]
Acquitted from vs Acquitted of
Acquitted of is the preferred phrase. The suspect is acquitted of all charges relating to the case.
Action man vs Man of action
Action man—a person who makes a show of being very vigorous and energetic. I had very little in common with the sort of larger-than-life action man I played in film after film. Man of action—somebody who does things and is not content to just meditate or talk. Foscolo was intended for a man of action and strife: ease […]
All vs Every vs Each
All, Every and Each, when applied to the individuals of a group, imply inclusion of the entire membership with no exceptions.
Alkaline vs Basic
Alkaline and Basic are closely related and,.in many aspects of their use synonymous terms.
Acquiesce in vs Acquiesce to vs Acquiesce with
Acquiesce means to consent or comply without protest. When acquiesce takes a preposition, it is usually in. His government can’t acquiesce in the invasion of that country. Acquiesce with the preposition to is uncommon, but acceptable. Gracie, Audrey, and Patrick acquiesced to their parents’ wishes. Acquiesced with is considered obsolete.
Act something out vs Outact someone
Act something out—give expression to thoughts, unconscious fears, etc. in one’s actions and behavior. Children often act out their troubled feelings in their games. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the intransitive phrasal verb act out—behave anti-socially or misbehave. The child with a learning problem may act out to divert attention from, for […]
Acquaintance vs Friend
An acquaintance is a person one knows. A friend is a person one knows, likes, and trusts. Joe is an example of an acquaintance who became a friend.
Act one’s age vs Show one’s age
Act one’s age—behave in a manner appropriate to one’s age (often used in asking children to act in a more grown-up fashion).
Alight vs Light vs Land vs Perch vs Roost
Alight, Light, Land, Perch and Roost share the meaning to come to rest after or as if after a flight, a descent, or a fall.
Acme vs Climax
Acme is the highest point. The acme of the classical piano recital was Sharon’s song. Climax is the point of greatest intensity. The climax of the night’s events is the colorful fireworks display.