Picaresque refers to adventurers or clever rogues. Twain’s “Tom Sawyer” contains many picaresque characters. Picturesque refers to being attractive or pretty. Lake Placid contains some wonderful picturesque views.
Category: Confusing Words
Difference between Phenomena and Phenomenon
Phenomena is the plural form of the noun phenomenon. Such phenomena are difficult to comprehend and explain. Many sightings continue to fuel the UFO phenomenon.
Perverbial vs Proverbial
Proverbial is the correct word.
Difference between Peruse and Skim
Peruse means to examine or read carefully. They want to peruse the contract thoroughly before signing it. Skim means glance over or read quickly. He intended to skim the material right before the meeting.
Difference between Perspicacious and Perspicuous
Perspicacious means having a quick understanding of things. Anand is a perspicacious student of law. Perspicuous means presenting things clearly and precisely. Their account of the events is quite perspicuous to everyone.
Difference between Perspective and Prospective
Perspective is a point of view or a way to create the illusion of depth in a drawing or painting. From the teacher’s perspective, it is another way of learning. The painting shows a three-dimensional perspective of Toronto. Prospective means probable. The prospective buyer went to the website to learn more.
Difference between Personal and Personnel
Personal means private. My date did not want to discuss personal matters. Personnel means a group of people, usually all of whom are part of the same organization. We have the qualified personnel to get the job done. The Personnel Department handles the employee’s exit interview.
Difference between Person that and Person who
Person who is the preferred phrase in formal writing. Some purists reserve who for people and that for animals or things. Jeff is the person who chose engineering as a career. That’s the elephant that almost lost its memory.
Difference between Persecute and Prosecute
Persecute means to harass or treat unjustly. The committee may persecute them for their political dissent. Prosecute means to bring legal action against or to pursue something until the end. Some states prosecute juveniles as adults in criminal court. Their patent prosecution on DNA techniques helped the industry.
Difference between Perquisite and Prerequisite
Perquisite refers to a special benefit or privilege (a perq). A new company car is a perquisite for all their executives. Prerequisite refers to something required in advance. What prerequisite course does the college require for admission to this program?
Difference between Perpetrate and Perpetuate
Perpetrate means being responsible for something. Bill likes to perpetrate practical jokes on his teammates. Perpetuate means cause to be remembered or last indefinitely. The Vietnam Memorial perpetuates the memory of those killed in that war.
Difference between Periodic and Sporadic
Periodic means occurring at regular or predictable intervals. Lisa told us she would be having periodic performance reviews. Sporadic means occurring at irregular or unpredictable times. Some western states are experiencing sporadic power outages.