A precedent refers to “an earlier occurrence of something that becomes the example or standard for similar situations in the future.”
Continue reading: “Precedence” or “Precedent”: Learn the Difference
Continuous and continual come from the same Latin word—“continuus”—but they have slightly different meanings.
Don’t panic! There’s an easy visual trick that can help you remember what these words mean. We’ll show you below and go over definitions, synonyms, and example sentences to illustrate how to use continuous and continual correctly.
This wasn’t always the case, though. Read on to learn a bit more about the history of these two words.
Continue reading: “Continual” vs. “Continuous”
No worries is a shortened version of do not worry about it or there’s nothing to worry about. The phrase is primarily used in casual conversations. Another way of saying no worries professionally is it’s no trouble at all.
Continue reading: Seven Other Ways To Say “No Worries” Professionally
When you’re using prior and previous as adjectives that describe something as “happening or existing before in time or order,” then yes, the two words can be used interchangeably.
However, there are some nuances to be considered. For example, prior also functions as a noun and subtle differences exist in the implied immediacy of these two words. Confused? Don’t worry. Below, we help you understand what prior and previous mean by delving into their definitions and reviewing example sentences.
Don’t overthink it. Although there are slight nuances, most of the time, these words can be used interchangeably.
Continue reading: Is There a Difference Between Prior and Previous?
Best wishes is a common sign-off, which is a short one-to-three-word phrase that’s used to end an email. It precedes your name or signature and is always followed by a comma.
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for all the help you have provided over the last few years. You have made my time here infinitely easier, and I will be forever grateful.Again, thanks for all you have done for me and this company.
Best wishes,
Loretta Swink
Continue reading: Synonyms for Best Wishes
Devil’s advocate is an idiom that refers to someone who argues a contrary view, either for the sake of argument or to help test out how rigorous a position is. For example, a team of lawyers might get one of their number to play devil’s advocate and attack the team’s legal position to see how strong it is.
The idea of a devil’s advocate dates back to the late 16th century in the Roman Catholic Church. During the process of canonization (i.e., proclaiming someone to be a “saint”), an advocatus diaboli (devil’s advocate) was appointed to argue against the canonization in order to test and challenge the evidence supporting sainthood.
Adele was given the task of playing devil’s advocate as the prosecution team did a final check on their case.
Some psychologists suggest that a devil’s advocate is not an effective tool for testing a position because they are not expressing genuinely held views.
Continue reading: Devil’s Advocate | Definition & Examples
When initiating small talk with someone, you don’t say, “Lovely climate we’re having.” Similarly, when discussing the earth’s fluctuating average temperatures, you wouldn’t say, “Weather change is a serious problem.” That’s because, although related in meaning, the words weather and climate are not always interchangeable.
Weather refers to the “short-term, day-to-day conditions of the lower atmosphere.” You can describe the weather as rainy, hot, cold, humid, dry, etc. Climate is the “average of weather patterns over a long time, usually at least thirty years.”
I wrote a thesis comparing the climate of the Pleistocene and Holocene eras.
Continue reading: What Is the Difference Between Weather and Climate?
A protagonist is the main or primary character in a story, movie, or play. There are different types of protagonists, including the hero or heroine, the antihero, the villainous protagonist, and more.
While usually a secondary character, an antagonist plays a major role by creating conflict, obstacles, and challenges for the protagonist to overcome.
Writing a story is no easy feat. But knowing what the terms protagonist and antagonist mean can help ensure strong character development. And even if you aren’t working on a creative project, understanding these words can enhance your vocabulary, enabling more effective communication.
Below, we’ll cover what protagonist and antagonist mean and provide examples to help you get a clearer picture.
Let’s begin!
Continue reading: What Do Protagonist and Antagonist Mean?
Pros and cons means “advantages and disadvantages.” This phrase is used when carefully considering the good and bad points of something.
For example, regarding solar energy, the pros are that it produces less pollution and doesn’t contribute to a rise in CO2 in the atmosphere. However, the cons are that it has a high initial cost and is less reliable.
Continue reading: Pros and Cons | Meaning, Synonyms, and Examples
When you see someone first thing in the morning, you’ll often greet them with the expression good morning. In certain situations, you can switch things up and use a synonym for good morning.
Continue reading: Seven Different Ways To Say Good Morning