Reflection / reflexion
‘Reflection’ is now the much commoner spelling. It means ‘an image reflected in a mirror or similar surface.’
Thelma looked at her reflection in the mirror.
‘Reflexion’ is used in anatomy to mean ‘the bending or folding back of a thing upon itself.’
Reflective / reflexive
‘Reflective’ is an adjective meaning ‘thinking quietly’.
I saw her in a reflective mood.
A reflexive verb or pronoun shows that the action in a sentence affects the person or thing that does the action.
He cut himself with a sharp knife.
Refute / deny
‘Refute’ means ‘to prove that a statement or idea is not correct.’
James made an attempt to refute the philosopher’s theory.
‘Deny’ means ‘to say that something somebody has said about you is not true.’
I saw you at the cinema, don’t try to deny it!
If you categorically deny something, you deny very strongly.
‘Deny’ also means ‘to refuse to allow someone to have or do something.’
Permission to see the film was denied to children.
In speech we say, ‘There is no denying’ to mean that it is very clear that something is true.
When you deny yourself, you decide not to have something that you would like, especially for moral or religious reasons.
Regard
As a noun ‘regard’ means ‘respect for someone or something’
Emma has little regard for her husband.
‘As regards’ is used to introduce the subject you are going to talk or write about.
As regards environmental issues the Government will enforce strict regulations.
‘With regard / in regard’ is used to say what particular subject you are talking or writing about.
With regard to future oil supplies, the situation is uncertain.
‘Regards’ means ‘good wishes.’
My sister sends her regards.
As a verb ‘regard’ means ‘to think about someone or something in a particular way’
The chief clerk in this office is widely regarded as eccentric.
‘Regarding’ is a word used especially in business letters to introduce the subject you are writing about.
Regarding your recent inquiry we regret to inform you that the particular model is not available.
If you continue to do something regardless, you do it in spite of difficulties or opposition.
Although I get a lot of criticism, I carry on regardless.
Regretful / regrettable / regrettably
‘Regretful’ means ‘full of regret.’
She was regretful for her lost youth.
‘Regrettable’ means ‘causing regret.’
Your hasty action is regrettable.
It is a regrettable fact that our hearing falls as we grow old.
The adverb ‘regrettably’ is used when you consider the existing situation to be unsatisfactory.
Some of the students are regrettably ignorant of English idioms.
Rehabilitate / rehabilitation
‘Rehabilitate’ means ‘to help someone to live a healthy, useful or active life again after they have been seriously ill or in prison.’
Young people coming out of prison should be rehabilitated.
There are rehabilitation centres for drug addicts.
Relation / relations / relative / relationship
A relation is a member of your family. ‘Relative’ has the same meaning.
‘Relations’ means ‘official connections between companies or countries.’
India and Sri Lanka have friendly relations.
‘In relation to’ is used to talk about something that is connected with or compared with the thing you are talking about.
Women’s earnings are still very low in relation to men’s.
‘Relationship’ is the way in which two people or groups behave towards each other.
A relationship with someone or something is usually close and may involve strong feelings.
Remember
‘Remember’ means ‘to have a picture in your mind of people, events or places.’
Can you remember the Smiths who lived next to our house?
Can you remember me?
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