English Grammar Demystified - A Self Teaching Guide

262 English Grammar Demystifi ed

allusion (indirect reference), illusion (mistaken idea)

Only a few people were aware of my allusion to Shakespeare’s Romeo

and Juliet.

You have the illusion that I like rap music; I don’t.

climactic (the point of greatest intensity in a series of events), climatic (refers to
meteorological conditions)

The climactic period in the dinosaurs’ reign was reached just before severe

climatic conditions brought on the ice age.

continually (regularly or frequently), continuously (uninterrupted)

I am continually late for work.

Any loud music that is played continuously is annoying.

emigrate (Emigratebegins with the letter E, as does exit. When you emigrate, you
exit a country.), immigrate (Immigrate begins with the letter I, as does in. When
you immigrate, you go into a country.)

Sylvia emigrated from the United States

Vivian immigrated to France from her native Canada.

Loose (not fi rmly attached, slack), lose (misplace)

The tree branches were left loose in the street.

If I lose my new watch, I’ll be so sad.

moral (message of right and wrong), morale (confi dence, spirits)

Children love stories that have a moral.

Shopping often lifts my morale.

personal (private, own), personnel (human resources department; staff)

Please don’t open my personal correspondence.

We’re trying to build our personnel department to a staff of six.

quiet (silence, calm), quite (entirely)

My work demands quiet.

I’m not quite ready.