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    DEPRIVED/DEPRAVED

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    (A proofreader's note regarding “deprived” and “depraved”)

    “Deprived” implies a serious absence
    Of basics deemed essential,
    A taking away of something maybe,
    With “lack” a factor crucial.

    “Depraved” instead must say “corrupted”
    In morals and ethical conduct.
    The lack we find there illustrated
    Is sickly sought—not out-chucked.

    “Deprived of any moral compass,
    The youth was disadvantaged,
    Exemplifying depraved behavior,
    His inclinations wretched.”

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    URGENt/EMERGENt

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    (A proofreader's note regarding “emergent” and “urgent”)

    Beware the sound of “urgent”
    That echoes in “emergent”;
    Emergency there hinted
    Perverts what was intended.

    “Emergent” means beginning,
    A coming into being.
    In medicine, it's different,
    “Emergency” inferring.

    These both can be descriptors,
    As adjectives like “urgent”:
    “Emergency condition,”
    “Emergent social segment.”

    Single, though, is “urgent”
    In meaning and in purpose,
    Requiring prompt attention
    Its one and only focus.

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    FORBIDDING/FOREBODING

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    (A proofreader's note about “forbidding” and “foreboding”)

    “Forbid” and “forebode” with “against” do begin.
     Forbid will “command,” while forebode will “foretell.”
    Their limiting versions are much more alike;
    “Forbidding” “foreboding” together could dwell.

    They both share the sense of an unfriendly state,
    “Forbidding” like daunting and frightening and more.
    Foreboding, however, the future predicts,
    A negative omen included at core.

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    INTO/IN

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    (A proofreader's note regarding “into” and “in”)

    When deciding on “into” or “in” as the appropriate choice in a sentence, a major consideration is whether the moved item (i.e., transported in space or time) becomes enclosed by something else. However, “into” is generally used for transformations of state as well as in a relatively few phrasal verbs. The latter more commonly involve “in” than “into” and simply need to be recognized as such. Furthermore, “to” is not combined with “in" when it occurs as part of an infinitive verb.

    Use “into” when moving in space or time
    Unless “in order to”;
    For transformations, choose as well
    Since “into” there is true.

    To keep the two apart at times,
    Consider phrasal verbs;
    Is “in” within the given phrase?
    Infinitive “to” in blurbs?

    Some phrasal verbs will sport “into,”
    And sometimes it will tell
    Of special interests closely held,
    Like “into styles that sell.”


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    DISINTERESTED/UNINTERESTED

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    (A proofreader's note regarding “disinterested” and “uninterested”)

    Disinterested ones selectively chosen,
    Impartial for the job,
    May likewise uninterested be,
    Incurious as a knob.

    "The disinterested little tenor 
    Left every tune adrift,
    The youthful audience, uninterested--
    Not even slightly miffed."

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    FOREGO/FORGO

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    (A proofreader's note regarding “forego” and “forgo”)

    A thing that precedes may be said to “forego”
    As long as the “e” is kept;
    Renouncing the “e” means going without,
    So sad that “forgo” will have wept.

    The clue is the prefix with meaning before,
    As “fore” tells the tale of its time.
    The clearly “foregone” has already occurred,
    No matter the vibe or the clime.