detract vs. distract detract (make something seem less good) The peeling wall detracts from the beauty of the house. The scandal will detract from his fame. distract (to draw someone’s attention away from what they are doing) Don’t distract my attention. I’m trying to study. The movie distracted me …
Read More »dessert vs. desert
dessert (sweet food that you eat at the end of a meal) I would like some ice cream for dessert. After dinner, we had apple pie for dessert. desert (a large area of land where there is almost no water, rain, trees, or plants) This part of the country …
Read More »describe vs. ascribe
describe vs. ascribe describe (to say what someone or something is like) Can you describe the house in perfect detail? It is very difficult to describe how I feel. ascribe (to regard something as being due to something else) I ascribe good grade in the exam to your hard …
Read More »deprecate vs. depreciate
deprecate vs. depreciate deprecate (to express strong disapproval of) I don’t mean to deprecate your accomplishments. We love peace and deprecate war strongly. depreciate (to lose value over time) New cars depreciate as soon as they are on the road. The euro was depreciated against the dollar. deprecate …
Read More »deprave vs. deprive
deprave vs. deprive deprave (to make or be morally bad or evil) This book would deprave young children. I think he is either mad or depraved. deprive (to prevent someone from having or using something) Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have. Good night, John. …
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