Grammar Clinic

Not able or willing to believe something Example: The tale about the woman who gave birth to a pig is just too incredulous to be true!

To argue or complain over small, unimportant things. Example: The school playground is a picture of kids quibbling over who goes first on the play sets.

To steal something not very valuable in small quantities, often over and over again Example: What sort of teacher would pilfer the money of the kids under his watch?

Something won at too great a cost to have been worthwhile for the victor. Example: Though the buffalo escaped the lion’s jaws after much fight, the victory was pyrrhic, as it died of its injuries days later.

Obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree Example: I was too concerned about what others thought of me; so much so that I became the obsequious girl who was too eager to please.

To talk in a very foolish or silly way. Example: I must maintain, though at the risk of sounding pompous, that I do not read the drivel that is gossip magazines.

Seeming to be impressive or intended to be impressive but not really possible or practical Example: I listened respectfully, if a bit impatiently, as he spun grandiose plans about the future.

Strange because of not agreeing with what is usual or expected Example: It seems somewhat incongruous that Jaden Smith, a man, is the face of Louis Vuitton’s 2016 womenswear collection.

1. given or done free of charge;  2. not necessary or appropriate Examples: 1. Lawyers who provide gratuitous services for poor people. 2. She should keep her advice to herself, they are gratuitous at best!

A confusing or difficult problem Example: Contrary to what Maths lovers would have one believe, I find the subject and its principles quite the conundrum!