antonyms

An antonym is a word whose meaning is opposite (or nearly opposite) that of another word.

complete/incomplete, easy /hard, hot/cold

Although some word pairs look like antonyms, they are not.

born/inborn, flammable / inflammable, habitation / inhabitation

If you are not sure, check a dictionary or a thesaurus, which sometimes lists antonyms as well as synonyms.

anxious /eager

Careful writers distinguish between anxious, meaning "uneasy," and eager, meaning "enthusiastic, having a keen interest."

We were anxious (eager) o meet and congratulate her.

but

He was anxious about the results of the examination, fearing that he had not done well.

anyone / any one

Anyone refers to "any person at all." Any one is more selective: It refers to a single member of a group.

Is anyone going to the concert?

I wouldn't go out with any one of those boys.

anyways / anywheres

These words are considered nonstandard. Replace them with anyway and anywhere.

 

 

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