This is a guide to help learners to communicate easily in both speech and writing through a better understanding of the English language.
Rhyme / rime
A rhyme is a short poem or song, especially for children, using words that rhyme.
‘Without rhyme or reason’ means ‘in a way that cannot be reasonably explained.’
People’s moods change without rhyme or reason.
‘Rhyming couplet’ means ‘two lines of poetry that end in words that rhyme.’
‘Rime’ means ‘frost.’ It is a literary word.
Right / rightly
‘Right’ means ‘based on true facts.’
Tell me the right time.
We say ‘that’s right’ when we agree with someone or to answer ‘yes’ to a question.
An action that is right is morally correct.
Right people, places or schools are considered to be the best or most important.
The word ‘right’ is mostly used in speech than in writing.
‘Rightly’ is an adverb meaning ‘for a good or sensible reason.’
The audience was rightly outraged at the suggestion.
We use ‘rightly’ or ‘wrongly’ to say that whatever you think of someone’s action.
Rotary / rotatory
‘Rotary’ is an adjective meaning ‘turning in a circle around a fixed point.’
Look at the rotary movement of the helicopter blades.
The word ‘rotatory’ has the same meaning, but ‘rotary’ is commonly used.
Rural / rustic
‘Rural’ means ‘happening in or connected with the countryside, not the city.’
It was a peaceful rural setting.
A rustic is someone from the country. It is used humorously.
Sabotage / saboteur
‘Sabotage’ means ‘to secretly damage or destroy equipment that belongs to an enemy or opponent.’
It also means ‘to deliberately spoil someone’s plans because you do not want them to succeed.’
Susan’s parents sabotaged her acting ambitions by refusing to pay for her course at the drama school.
A saboteur is someone who deliberately damages, or spoils someone else’s property or activities.
Saccharin / saccharine
‘Saccharin’ is a chemical substance that tastes sweet and is used instead of sugar in drinks.
‘Saccharine’ is an adjective meaning ‘too romantic in a way that seems silly and insincere.’
He has written a saccharine love story.
Sake
‘For the sake of’ means ‘in order to help, improve or please someone or something.’
We moved to the seaside for the sake of our health.
We use ‘For God’s sake, Goodness sake or Heaven’s sake’ in speech when we are telling someone how important it is to do something or not to do something.
For goodness sake, don’t tell her that I took a loan from you.
Note: We do not use a hyphen after ‘goodness.’
Salubrious / salutary
A place that is salubrious is pleasant and healthy to be in.
Shall we move to a more salubrious part of the country?
A salutary experience is unpleasant but teaches you something.
The teacher taught us a salutary lesson in manners.
Same / similar
When you say ‘the same person’ you are referring to one particular person, not a different one.
He sits in the same chair every evening.
If two things happen at the same time, they both happen together.
Jack and Jill went to live in Australia at the same time.
The phrase ‘the same’ always has ‘the, this or that’ before it.
I work with the same people every day.
This is the same man I met at the bank.
‘Similar’ means ‘almost the same but not exactly the same.’
We have similar tastes in music.
Sanatorium / sanitarium
A sanatorium is a kind of hospital for sick people who are getting better but still need rest and a lot of care.
‘Sanitarium’ is an American spelling of ‘sanatorium.’
Sanitary
Sanitary’ means ‘connected with health, especially with the removal of dirt, infection, or human waste.’
Sardonic
‘Sardonic’ means ‘speaking or smiling in an unpleasant way, that shows you do not have a good opinion of someone or something.’
Sara raised a sardonic eyebrow when she was asked to leave.
The prisoner heard the jury’s verdict with a sardonic smile
