These two adjectives are synonymous. Both mean hesitant—not desiring (to do something). They can be used in all the same ways, except that reticent has a slightly more formal style: I am reluctant to eat fast food, because it is bad for you. I am reticent to write a recommendation letter for this student. Ngram Viewer for […]
Overdue vs Overdo: Here’s the Difference in Meaning with Sentence Examples
These words sound the same, but overdue is an adjective meaning “late,” while overdo is a verb meaning “to do too much”: Jim was overdue to pay his phone bill, because he didn’t have enough money. Maria may have overdone the steaks; they’re not supposed to be black. These sentences show some of the most common uses […]
Palate, Palette, and Pallet: Here’s the Difference in Meaning and Usage
Although related, these three nouns have very different meanings—all of them refer to surfaces that you put something on. Pallet refers to a simple bed such as a home-made mattress, or wooden platform: She preferred to sleep on a simple pallet stuffed with straw. (bed) Pallet can also describe a wooden platform used to carry things: The men […]
A Diamond in the Rough: Meaning and Examples of This Common English Idiom
The phrase, a diamond in the rough, refers to a person who has great potential value which cannot yet be seen clearly—like a young person with talent who still needs to practice their abilities further or clean up their appearance in order for people to recognize their value: She’s a diamond in the rough; with […]
How You Been? How You Doing? – Meaning and Usage of These Informal English Expressions
The common English expressions, “how you been?” and “how you doing?,” are casual greetings between friends, often used in casual contexts, such as a party. They are not as common or even considered acceptable in professional contexts, unless the speakers are friends. These expressions are similar in that both are formed by dropping the auxiliary […]
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