This is a guide to help learners to communicate easily in both speech and writing through a better understanding of the English language.
Repairable / reparable
‘Repairable’ means ‘able to be repaired.’ The negative is ‘unrepairable.’
Your shoes are still repairable.
‘Reparable’ is generally used of abstract things to be remedied or put right as loss, mistake or harm. The negative form is ‘irreparable.’ A reparable loss is one that you can get back in some way.
Repellant / repulsive
A repellant is a substance that keeps insects away as in ‘mosquito repellant.’
‘Repulsive’ means ‘very unpleasant.’
Joe is a repulsive guy.
Repulsive forces push objects away from each other.
Repent / repentance / regret
‘Repent’ is a word meaning ‘to be sorry for something you have done, used especially in a religious context.’
Repent of your sins and you will be forgiven.
‘Repentance’ is the state of being sorry for something you have done.
‘Regret’ means ‘sadness that you feel about something because you wish it had not happened or that you had not done it.’
The company expressed deep regret at the accident.
Repertoire / repertory
‘Repertoire’ means ‘all the plays, pieces of music that a performer or group has learned and can perform.’
‘Repertory’ is a type of theatre work in which actors perform different plays on different days, instead of doing the same plays for a long time.
Repetitious / repetitive
‘Repetitious’ means ‘saying the same thing several times.’
‘Repetitive’ means ‘done many times in the same way.’
Some women hate the tedious, repetitive household work.
Requirement / requisite
‘Requirement’ is something that is needed or asked for.
Our main requirements are food, clothing and shelter.
‘Requisite’ means ‘needed for a particular purpose.’
To do any job you need the requisite qualifications.
Reserve / preserve
‘Reserve’ means ‘to arrange for a place in a hotel, restaurant or plane to be kept for you.’
We had to reserve tickets in advance to see the film.
‘Preserve’ means ‘to save something or someone from being harmed or destroyed.’
Traditional customs should be preserved.
Resign from / resign to
‘Resign’ means ‘to officially and permanently leave your job or position.’
I want to resign from the committee.
He is resigned to his fate.
Resolution / motion
A resolution is a formal decision or statement agreed on by a group of people, especially after a vote.
The resolution was passed by a simple majority.
A motion is a process of moving or the way that someone or something moves.
The rocking movement of the boat made me sick.
Respective / respectively
People’s respective jobs, houses, families are the various ones that each of them has.
The two friends said goodbye and went their respective ways.
‘Respectively’ means ‘each separately in the order mentioned.’
My two daughters, Emma and Rosy, are 18 and 15 respectively.
Restive / restless
‘Restive’ means ‘unable to keep still, especially because you are impatient or bored.’
Children become restive when they stand for a long time.
‘Restless’ means ‘unable or unwilling to keep still.’
The children were indoors all day and are getting restless.
Reverend / reverent / reverential / reverence / revere
‘Reverend’ is a title of respect used before the name of a minister of the Christian Church. The Reverend John Graham will grace the occasion.
‘Reverent’ means ‘showing respect and admiration.’
The pilgrims sat in reverent silence.The minister spoke of the dead man in reverential tones.
‘Reverence’ means ‘great respect and admiration for someone or something.’
We should show proper reverence for the national flag.
‘Revere’ means ‘to respect and admire someone or something very much.’
Max Perera was a much revered English teacher in the 1950s.
Reversal / reversion
A reversal is a change to an opposite arrangement, process or course of action.
There has been a dramatic reversal of government policy.
‘Reversion’ means ‘a return to a former, usually bad, condition or habit.’
Rhetorical question
A rhetorical question is designed to produce a dramatic effect and not to elicit an answer. It is a favourite device of public speakers.
Who says we are not an independent country?
