Becker Becker

Bi- vs. semi-

Bi- means two while semi- means half, meaning a biweekly meeting would be held every two weeks while a semiweekly meeting would be held twice a week. However, biannual and semiannual both mean twice a year. To say once every two years, use biennial instead.

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Becker Becker

Beside vs. besides

Bi- means two while semi- means half, meaning a biweekly meeting would be held every two weeks while a semiweekly meeting would be held twice a week. However, biannual and semiannual both mean twice a year. To say once every two years, use biennial instead.

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Becker Becker

Avenge vs. revenge

Both avenge and revenge mean to inflict harm in return for a wrong done to someone, but revenge implies the action comes out of resentment or anger. Revenge is more often used as a noun.

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Becker Becker

Auger vs. Augur

An auger is a tool used for boring while augur means to foretell a good or bad outcome.

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Becker Becker

Attain vs. obtain

Attain means to succeed in achieving something or to reach a specified size or amount. Attain implies an effort to achieve, while obtain is to gain possession of something. However, in everyday usage both attain and obtain are often treated as synonyms.

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Becker Becker

Assumption vs. presumption

Assumption means to accept something as true which isn’t founded on strong evidence, while presumption is based on evidence which has some credibility.

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Becker Becker

Assent vs. consent

Assent indicates the approval of something after careful consideration, while consent implies something is being allowed. For consent, the consenter may not necessarily be happy about the outcome.

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Becker Becker

Assemblage vs. assembly

Assemblage tends to be an informal collection while assembly refers to a more formalised group, such as a national assembly or school assembly.

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