CORRECT USAGE OF SOME COMMONLY ABUSED WORDS (Part 2)


CORRECT USAGE OF SOME COMMONLY ABUSED WORDS (Part 2)
          Let us take Part 2 of our discussion on ‘Correct Usage of Some
Commonly Abused Words’ in this article.


6.       AMIABLE & AMICABLE
Amiable is an adjective, and it is used to describe a person who has a pleasant or friendly behaviour.  It is usually directed to the person who has such quality, and not the quality itself.
Amicable is also an adjective, and it is used to describe the quality of doing things in a friendly way, including the reaching of agreements/decisions and the settling of disputes.
Examples:
(i)                Married couples that are amiable, usually enjoy blissful relationships with their mates.
(ii)             Working with an amiable boss is very delightful and rewarding to subordinates.
(iii)            Mr. Asaneya Ekuevugbe has reconciled amicably with his estranged wife.
7.       HANGED & HUNG
Hanged (as a past tense verb) is used for persons who are or were hanged by condemnation or who decided to do so by choice.
Hung (as a past tense verb) is used for things draped (especially clothes) and things or matters suspended.
Examples:
(i)                Two armed robbers, who had been condemned, were hanged this morning.
(ii)             Judas Iscariot, who felt condemned after betraying his master, Jesus Christ, hanged himself out of guilt.
(iii)           My clothes, which I washed and hung this afternoon, got dried within an hour.
(iv)           Pauline rudely hung up the phone on me.

8.       POPULAR, POPULOUS & POPULACE
Popular (which is an adjective) means somebody or something that is liked/ admired or enjoyed or supported by many people.
Populous (an adjective) is used to describe a place or an area that has a lot of people living in it.
Populace, which is usually expressed as the populace, is a noun.  It means the common people or the ordinary people living in a particular country or place.
Examples:
(i)                Garri seems to be the most popular staple food in Nigeria.
(ii)             Who is the most popular male actor in Nigeria Nollywood?   Is it Olu Jacobs or Pete Edochie?
(iii)           China is the most populous country in the world, with an estimated population of 1,370,811,348 people (as at January, 2015).
(iv)           What are the factors that have made Lagos the most populous state in Nigeria?
(v)             Do the Nigerian political heavy-weights care about the populace?
(vi)           The Bible book of Psalms 72:12-16 assures us that God’s Kingdom will better the lot of the world populace.

9.       BLOSSOM & BOSOM
          Blossom is a verb, and is used to describe things or situations that are in good or successful condition.   When a plant blossoms, it produces flowers and subsequently, produces fruits.  When a person or people blossom, they become more attractive or successful or confident.  In the same vein, good feelings or relationships are said to blossom, when they develop and become stronger and more convivial.   Furthermore, blossom equally refers to a small flower, or the small flowers on a tree or plant.
Bosom is a noun, and it means the front of a person's chest (including the breasts) especially when thought of as the centre of human feelings.  From this word, stems the idiomatic expression ‘in the bosom of (somebody)’ which denotes protective care.  If you are in the bosom of somebody or a group of people, it means you are with them enjoying their protection and love.  From bosom we also have the adjective ‘bosomy’ which is used to describe a woman with large breasts.
Examples:
(i)                Mr. Okoro’s mango trees have blossomed delightfully.
(ii)             Otiti, whom we used to call ‘baby’ has now blossomed into a beautiful damsel.
(iii)           It appears that the friendship of Tom and Mariam is now blossoming into a marriage relationship.
(iv)           “Can a man rake burning-coals unto his bosom, and yet his clothes not be burnt”, asked the Holy Bible in Proverbs 6:29.
(v)             Aunty Laura is not fat, yet bosomy.
(vi)           Mr. and Mrs. Oruese have taken Ejovwokoghene, the orphan, into their bosom.
10.                          INGENUOUS & INGENIOUS
Ingenuous is an adjective, and it has to do with being innocent, natural, honest, sincere and trusting in a matter(s) or over a situation(s).  Sometimes, people who are very ingenuous are considered to be somewhat silly.
Ingenious is also an adjective.   It is used to describe a person who is very clever and skilful at making things or fashioning out things or inventing things.  It is also used to describe things that are cleverly made or planned, especially those involving new ideas.
Examples:
(i)                Sammy ingenuously left his luggage in the custody of a complete stranger at the train station.
(ii)             Oghenechonvwe’s comments on the recent political intrigues in the country, were quite ingenuous.
(iii)           The mighty eagle sculpture mounted at the Main Gate of DELSU Site III, Abraka, was produced by very ingenious sculptors.
(iv)           Ingenious foundry-smiths are now becoming difficult to find in Nigeria.

11.                          PRINCIPLE & PRINCIPAL
Principle is a noun, and it is used to refer to a basic truth or idea.  It is also the guiding rule for behaviour. 
Principal is both an adjective and a noun.  It is used to refer to persons or things that are high in order of importance.
Examples:
(i)                The inspired statement “Whatever a man sows, that he will reap”, is a timeless Bible principle.
(ii)             Laws are appreciated more when one understands the principles behind them.
(iii)           Who is the principal actor in the film Things Fall Apart?
(iv)           Mr. Osiobe, the Senior History Master, has now been made the Principal of Ekarihwo Grammar School.

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