Relax, Refresh your English knowledge 83
403. What is the difference between "convicted" and "sentenced"?
These are words frequently used in law. Once the lawyers have presented their case, the judge/jury then makes a decision as to whether the defendant (the individual who is on trial) is guilty or not. If he is found guilty, he is convicted of the crime that he has been accused of. A convicted individual is one who has been found "guilty" in a court of law. Once the defendant has been found guilty, the judge then decides what his punishment should be. Should the person be sent to prison for life or should he be hanged? Maybe the person should be made to pay a fine of some sort and then set free. These are the decisions that a judge has to make once he convicts a person. The punishment that the judge gives the individual on trail is the "sentence".
404. What is the plural of "formula"?
The word has two possible plurals — formulae and formulas. The "ae" in the final syllable of "formulae" is pronounced like the "ee" in "bees", "fees", and "knees". The stress in the case of all three words is on the first syllable. The Latin plural "formulae" is the preferred word in scientific contexts, while "formulas" is used elsewhere. For example, one talks about "mathematical formulae" and "political and diplomatic formulas".
405. How is the word "caveat" pronounced?
There are different ways of pronouncing this word. The "c" is like the "k" in "kiss", "kill" and "kick" and the "a" in the first and third syllables is pronounced like the "a" in "cat", "hat" and "pat". The "e" is like the "i" in "pit", "hit" and "sit"; the main stress is on the first syllable. Some people pronounce the first "a" like the "ay" in "pay", "bay" and "hay". "Caveat" is a word which is mostly used in formal contexts and it means warning or caution. When two businessmen make a deal, they usually stipulate that certain conditions have to be met. If they are not met, then the deal is off. A "caveat" is a proviso. Here are a few examples. *She agreed to the divorce with one caveat — that he would never see the children again. I'll agree to the deal with one caveat — that you will not enter into a deal with any other company. The expression "caveat emptor" means, "buyers beware". In other words, when you buy something, it is your responsibility to ensure that everything is fine.
A collection from the Open Page Supplement of The Hindu Newspaper
Courtesy: Sri Upendra, the writer of the above
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