Friday, September 15, 2006

Today's English lesson

From Common Errors in English:


Ugh! How Revolting!

If you have a group of people who are dissatisfied with their government, they may decide to revolt. Or rebel. Either word means pretty close to the same thing.

The difference comes when you describe what they're doing. They're rebelling. If you say they're revolting, you're saying they're disgusting.

The disparity becomes even clearer when you make it a noun. Rebellion is an act of turning against authority, while revulsion evokes nausea.

No comments: