([email protected])
This is a guide to help learners to communicate easily in both speech and writing through a better understanding of the English language.
Use / used to / utilise
In sentences in which ‘use’ is preceded by ‘no,’ ‘of’ is usually but not always dropped.
This table is (of) no use to me.
In the following sentence ‘of’ is always omitted.
It’s no use asking for the impossible.
When ‘used to’ refers to a habitual or customary action it is followed by the infinitive.
We used to go to church every Sunday.
‘Utilise’ means ‘to use something effectively.’
We have a heating system that utilises solar energy.
Vacant / vacant expression / vacate
A vacant seat or room is empty and available for someone to use.
Only a few apartments are vacant.
A vacant expression shows that someone is not thinking about anything.
The student stood up with a vacant expression when he was questioned.
‘Vacate’ is to leave a job or room.
All guests should vacate their rooms by 11 o’clock.
Joe has vacated his post.
Valuable / valued
When ‘valuable’ is used of something it is known to have great value because of its usefulness or rarity.
I bought a valuable painting at the exhibition.
‘Valued’ means ‘highly regarded or esteemed.’
Venal / venial
‘Venal’ means ‘using power in a dishonest or unfair way and accepting money as a reward for doing it.’
A venial fault or mistake is not very serious and can therefore be forgiven.
Some people commit venial sins.
Verbal / oral
‘Verbal’ means ‘spoken, not written.’
It was only a verbal agreement.
‘Verbal’ also means ‘connected with words or using words.’
Some students have strong verbal skills.
‘Oral’ has the same meaning as ‘verbal’ but the usage is different.
Rani has been called for an oral examination.
Verbiage / verbosity / verbose
‘Verbiage’ and ‘verbosity’ mean ‘an abundance of unnecessary words.’
‘Verbiage’ may be used of writing or speech, but ‘verbosity’ generally refers to speech only.
‘Verbose’ means ‘using or containing too many words.’
We listened to a verbose sermon.
Verify / corroborate
‘Verify’ means ‘to find if a fact or statement is correct or true.’
The prisoner’s statement was verified by several witnesses.
‘Corroborate’ means ‘to provide information that supports or helps to prove someone else’s statement.’
The defence lawyer has new evidence to corroborate the defendant’s story.
Vicious / vicious circle
‘Vicious’ means ‘violent and dangerous and likely to hurt someone.’
Keep away from that vicious dog.
A vicious circle is a situation in which the solution of one problem creates another or in which one difficulty inevitably produces another and so on.
Vigour / vigorous / vigor
‘Vigour’ means ‘physical and mental energy and determination.’
Menaka set about her task with renewed vigour.
‘Vigor’ is the American spelling of ‘vigour.’
‘Vigorous’ means ‘using a lot of energy and strength or determination.’
Vigorous efforts will be made to find alternative energy sources.
Note: The ‘u’ is dropped in the adjective ‘vigorous.’
Visit / visitation / visiting hours / visitors’ book
A visit is an occasion when someone visits a place or person.
The British Prime Minister is on a short visit to Lebanon.
‘Visitation’ can mean ‘a visit for the purpose of making an official inspection.’
It also means an affliction or punishment, especially one sent by God.
Visiting hours are the times when you are allowed to go and spend time with someone who is in hospital or prison.
Visiting hours to the prison have been restricted for security reasons.
A visitors’ book is sometimes found in a hotel or a place of interest in which people who are visiting are asked to write their names, addresses and anything they would like to say about the quality of what they have experienced in the place.
