This is a guide to help learners to communicate easily in both speech and writing through a better understanding of the English language.
Pronoun
A pronoun is a word which is used in place of a noun. There are several classes of pronouns:
Personal pronouns: I, we, you, he, she, they
Demonstrative pronouns: this, that, these, those
Indefinite pronouns: anybody, anyone, somebody, someone, nobody, no one, each, both
Relative and Interrogative pronouns: who, which, whose, whom, what, that
Prophecy / prophesy
A prophecy is a statement that something will happen in the future, especially one made by someone with religious or magic powers.
The prophecy that George would become king was fulfilled.
‘Prophesy’ means ‘to say what will happen in the future, especially using religious or magical knowledge.’
The hermit prophesied that a flood would cover the island.
A prophet is a man who people in the Christian, Jewish or Muslim religion believe has been sent by God to lead them and teach them their religion.
The adjective ‘prophetic’ means ‘correctly saying what will happen in the future.’
Proportion / proportional / proportionate
A proportion is a part of a number or an amount, considered in relation to the whole.
What is the proportion of women graduates in recent years?
‘Out of proportion’ means ‘treat something as more serious than it really is.’
The whole issue has been blown out of all proportion.
‘Proportional representation’ (PR) is a system of voting in elections by which all political parties are represented in the government according to the number of votes they received in the whole country.
The adjectives ‘proportional’ and ‘proportionate’ mean ‘in due proportion.’ The distinction between them is that ‘proportional’ usually precedes its noun and ‘proportionate’ usually follows its noun.
Proposition
The word ‘proposition’ is often confused with ‘proposal’ in business matters. A proposition is a statement that consists of a carefully considered opinion or judgment.
The theory is founded on two basic propositions.
A proposition can be a suggestion.
He telephoned me with a proposition.
Provided / providing
‘Provided’ is a conjunction used to say that something will only be possible if something else happens or is done.
You can come with me provided you pay for your travelling.
‘Providing’ has the same meaning.
You can borrow my car providing I can have it back on Monday.
According to grammarians, ‘provided’ is usually better than ‘providing.’
Purport
As a verb, ‘purport’ means ‘to claim to be or do something even if this is not true.’
The Buddha statue is purported to be 2,000 years old.
As a noun ‘purport’ means ‘the general meaning of what someone says.’
Purposely / purposefully
‘Purposely’ means ‘deliberately.’
A clause in the agreement has been left purposely vague.
‘Purposefully’ means ‘resolutely.’
His mind made up, he walked purposefully into the chairman’s room.
Qualitative / quantitative
‘Qualitative’ means ‘relating to the quality or standard of something rather than the quantity.’
Women’s experiences are qualitatively different from men’s.
‘Quantitative’ means ‘relating to amounts rather than to the quality or standard of something.’
We need to do a proper quantitative analysis of the problem.
Question as to
Grammarians point out that this is an ugly phrase which should be avoided wherever possible.
Beg the question
This means ‘to assume without justification the very point raised in a question or to argue from an assumption which itself needs to be proved.’
Question
A question is a sentence or phrase that is used to ask for information or to test someone’s knowledge.
‘No question about it’ means ‘it is completely certain.’
Bob is by far the best candidate, there’s no question about it.
‘Beyond question’ means ‘completely certain or definite’
Einstein’s intelligence is beyond question.
If something is ‘out of the question,’ it is definitely not possible or not allowed.
