PAIRS AND SNARES XIX

The words in each group can be easily confused. Can you give a simple definition of each one that show the difference between them?

1. LESS - FEWER 

2. VENAL - VENIAL

3. BISECT - DISSECT - DISECT

4. JELLY - JAM - PRESERVES

5. TOE THE LINE - TOW THE LINE

6. PERSPICACIOUS - PERSPICUOUS 

7. DEPRECATE - DEPREDATE - DEPRECIATE

Answers:

 

1. LESS - FEWER - - - Use fewer for plurals and less for singular

    Fewer calories, sweets, accidents

    Less sugar, salt, violence

 

2.  VENAL - Of sin, very grave and serious

     VENIAL - Minor, forgivable sin 

 

3. BISECT - To divide into two parts (long i)

    DISSECT - Methodically cut up to examine, analyze thoroughly (short i)

    DISECT - No such word

 

4. JELLY - Strained fruit juice, no fruit pieces

    JAM - Mashed fruit

    PRESERVES -  large/whole pieces of fruit

 

5. TOE THE LINE - Follow the rules exactly, obey authority

    TOW THE LINE - A misspelling of TOE and always an error. It does not mean putting your toe on the line, as in a race.

 

6. PERSPICACIOUS - Perceptive and discerning

    PERSPICUOUS - Clear, lucid

 

7. DEPRECATE - Disparage, criticize

    DEPREDATE - Lay waste, plunder

    DEPRECIATE - Go down in value