Grammar Clinic

Meaning: (of a child) having developed certain abilities or inclinations at an earlier age than is usual or expected. Synonym: ahead, gifted, talented, advanced Example: The school knew of his precocious abilities from a young age

Meaning: smelling extremely unpleasant Synonym: stinking, smelly, foul-smelling, evil-smelling, malodorous Example: I refuse to use the fetid public bathroom

Meaning: complain persistently and in a peevish or irritating way Synonyms: complain, grouse, grouch, grumble, whine, moan, carp, mutter, murmur Example: “stop whingeing and get on with it!”

Meaning: Charisma is compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others. Synonym: charm, presence, aura, personality, Example: His success is largely due to his charisma.

Meaning: too extreme to bear; intolerable Synonym: intolerable, unbearable, unendurable, insupportable Example: It was an an insufferable amount of publicity

Meaning: put (thoughts, speech, or data) into written or printed form. Synonyms: write out, copy out, write/copy in full Example: each interview was taped and transcribed

Meaning: high-sounding language with little meaning, used to impress people Synonyms: bluster, pomposity, rant, nonsense, empty talk, humbug, blather, claptrap Example: But his shout has not been mere bombast, nor has it been without back talk.

Meaning: apt in the circumstances or in relation to something. Synonym: appropriate, suitable, fitting, apt, befitting Example: “an apposite quotation”

Meaning: Having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair. Synonyms: unprincipled, unethical, immoral, conscienceless, untrustworthy, corrupt, corrupted, dishonest, fraudulent, cheating, dishonourable, deceitful, devious, cunning, furtive, sly, wrongdoing, Examples: Unscrupulous landlords might be tempted to harass existing tenants

Meaning: impossible to stop or prevent Synonyms: relentless, unstoppable, unavoidable, inescapable, inevitable, irrevocable Example: The seemingly inexorable march of new technology