Versus

“Avalanche” vs. “Landslide”

Common English Blunders, Nouns, Versus

I often hear these words treated as if they were interchangeable.

Problem:
The nouns “avalanche” and “landslide” are not synonyms.

Explanation:
The noun “avalanche” means a large mass of snow, rocks, or debris suddenly detaching from a mountainside and then falling or sliding down.

The noun “landslide” means a mountainside falling or sliding down.

Winter sports enthusiasts have to watch out for avalanches, whereas many people in California suffer from landslides.

“Avalanche” should make one think of individual items coming down a mountainside. “Landslide” should make one think of the entire mountainside coming down.

If one were on a mountain during an avalanche, one might be able to stay put with little or no damage. If one were on a mountain during a landslide, one definitely would move with the mountainside.

Solution:
Use “avalanche” when referring to something coming down a mountainside. Use “landslide” when referring to the entire mountainside detaching and coming down.

“Classic” vs. “Classical”

Adjectives, Common English Blunders, Versus

I frequently see one of these used when the other is required.

Problem:
The adjectives “classic” and “classical” are best not treated as synonyms.

Explanation:
The adjective “classic” means of the highest quality or class.

The most common definitions of the adjective “classical” are pertaining to Greek and Roman antiquity, consistent with classicism, and, in music, pertaining to the most enduring types of music.

So a classical song typically is classic, but not all classic songs are classical.

Solution:
Use “classical” when referring to antiquity or music. Use “classic” when referring to something of highest quality.

“Jealous” vs. “Envious”

Adjectives, Common English Blunders, Devolution toward Simpler, Versus

I often hear one adjective used when the other adjective is the appropriate one.

Problem:
The adjectives “jealous” and “envious” are not exactly synonyms.

Explanation:
The adjective “jealous” means feeling uneasiness toward another person because of resentment of that person’s success or from suspicion or fear of rivalry.

The adjective “envious” means feeling covetous toward another person’s possessions.

I often hear American English speakers use “jealous” when they mean “envious” instead.

I believe that the use of “jealous” when “envious” is the right adjective is consistent with my “Devolution toward Simpler” hypothesis. It’s simpler to say the two-syllable “jealous” than to say the three-syllable “envious”.

Solution:
Use “jealous” when talking about one person’s attitude toward another person. Use “envious” when talking about one person’s attitude toward another person’s possessions.