May 31, 2010

More Tricky Words

The following words seem to create confusion. This list will help you find just the right word and its correct usage.

Disinterested, Uninterested

Disinterested means objective or impartial, not influenced by personal advantage. Uninterested means indifferent or lacking interest in an outcome.

A disinterested scientist is not uninterested in the result of his experiments.

Insure, Ensure, Assure

All these three words mean to make certain or secure.

"Victory is assured." (or ensured or insured)

Assure means setting someone's mind at peace. Both ensure and insure mean to make secure from harm. Only insure should be used regarding guaranteeing of life or property against risk.

More examples:

He assured his mother that he would be all right in the plane.

She ensured that her children should get higher education.

Is the car insured or the driver?
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