Practical Exercises in English

by Huber Gray Buehler

Expose, expound.—To expose is "to lay bare to view;" to expound is "to explain the meaning of."

Frighten.—Frighten is a transitive verb, and is used correctly in "The locomotive frightened the horse;" "The horse was frightened by the locomotive;" "The horse became frightened." It should not be used intransitively, as in the sentence "The horse frightened at the locomotive."

Inquire, investigate.—To inquire is "to ask for information;" to investigate is "to make a thorough examination."

Insure, secure.—Secure, in the sense of "to guard from danger," "to make safe," is preferable to insure, since insure also means "to guarantee indemnity for future loss or damage."

Let, leave.—Let means "to permit;" leave, "to let remain," or "to go away from."

Locate, find.—Locate properly means "to place in a particular position," or "to designate the site of," as of a new building or purchased lands; it does not mean to find.

Persuade, advise.—To persuade is "to induce," "to convince;" to advise is "to give counsel or information."

Predicate, predict.—To predicate is "to affirm as an attribute or quality;" to predict is "to foretell."

Prescribe, proscribe.—To prescribe is "to lay down as a rule or a remedy;" to proscribe is "to condemn to death or to loss of rights."

Purpose, propose.—"The verb purpose, in the sense of 'intend,' is preferable to propose, since to propose also means 'to offer for consideration:' the noun answering to the former is purpose; to the latter, proposal or proposition."[104]