Confusing Words B - Series

                                 CONFUSING WORDS B - SERIES

Ø  BACKWARD (riot progressing; in reverse order, in the reverse direction) - 1. The child is rather backward for her age. 2. The train moved backward, startling the passenger who was try/rig to get in.

BACKWARDS (in reverse order, opposite to facing or usual direction) - He walked backwards from Mumbai to Pune.

    

Ø  BAIL (security) - There is no fear of law simply due to the ease with which a bail can be obtained.

BALE (bundle) - This is the only bale of cotton which was not destroyed by the fire.

     

Ø  BALL (solid or hollow sphere used in games) - This is the best cricket ball ever made

 BALL (formal social gathering where people dance) -- Many people were invited to the ball aboard the luxury liner

BAWL (cry loudly) - The minister bawled at the officer when he repeatedly failed to do the job.

Ø  BALMY - Fragrant, Aromatic, Sweet Smelling

 BARMY - Crazy, Insane, Lunatic

 

Ø  BATTLE (open clash between two opposing groups or two units of opposing armies; fight against a situation that needs to change) - The battle against AIDS is no longer limited to one or two nations.

WAR (armed fighting between two or more groups or nations) Today the world cannot afford World War III.

    

Ø  BENEFICIAL (useful, rewarding) - The expert guidance of the coach will undoubtedly prove beneficial.

BENEFICENT (kind, benign; doing or producing good) - His was a beneficent regime when even the poorest felt the country cared for them.

    

Ø  BESIDE (adjacent, nearby) - The secretary was sitting beside the chairman.

BESIDES (also, further, as well as) - The library stocked microfilms and cassettes besides books.

    

Ø  BIANNUAL (happening twice a year; not necessarily once every six months) -- The magazine is published biannually.

BIENNIAL (happening once in two years) - The biennial marathon was so popular that there was a demand to hold it every quarter,

SEMIANNUAL (occurring every six months) - The school board has decided to conduct semiannual examinations from the next academic year

   

Ø  BLUNDER (a serious, embarrassing mistake) - He committed a blunder by mistaking the chief guest's wife to be an old classmate.

ERROR (defect, lapse, mistake) - The accountant located an error in the journal.

    

Ø BREACH (a break, violation) - Your act constitutes a breach of faith.

BREECH (back part of a rifle or gun barrel where bullets can be loaded) - Breech-loading guns were preferred to muzzle-loading guns.

Ø  BRIDAL (connected with marriage; designed for a bride) - The bridal ceremonies in India are very elaborate.

BRIDLE (limit, curb; headgear of horse designed to give rider control) -- Your unbridled passions and indulgences will ruin you.

    

Ø  BRIEF (short, concise; usually used with reference to time and not distance) -- He gave a very brief lecture.

SHORT (applies to duration and distance both) - 1. It's a short distance. 2. He was on a short tour to London.

Ø  BRING (get while moving towards the speaker) - Please bring me that book when you come here.

FETCH (to go and get a thing or a person) - My mother asked me to fetch my sister from her dancing class.

TAKE (to carry away from speaker) - I will take the book to him when I go to his office.

Ø  BROACH (to open; to bring up) - Rather than risk an argument, he preferred not to broach the subject.

BROOCH (small decorative pin worn by women; also spelt as broach) - Avoid wearing the brooch when you travel.

    

Ø  BRUSQUE (blunt, abrupt, impudent) - Your brusque manner is not likely to win you many friends.

BURLESQUE (satire, mockery) - The burlesque won some applause but did not go down well with the government.