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(A proofreader's note regarding “collaborate” and “corroborate”)
“Collaborate,” “corroborate” begin alike with “co,”
Suggesting that “together” is the only way to go.
“Corroborate” will strengthen, while “collaborate” will work,
“Supporting” then and “laboring,” respectively, the quirk.
“Make stronger now together” is “corroborate” at core,
The added information aiding confirmation more.
But “working close together” with a goal ahead to make –
The essence of “collaborate” when meaning is at stake.
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(A proofreader's note regarding “cue” and “queue”)
Pronouncing “q” we end with “cue,”
Which means a prompt to do;
But giving “q” a longer tail
Creates for us a “queue.”
Thus “queue” suggests a waiting-in-line,
Its word of origin “tail.”
Both “cue” and “queue” begin as nouns
But will as verbs avail.
A “cue” may signal, hint, or prompt,
Or serve as gaming tool,
While “queue” will range from sequencing
To hairstyle fairly cool.
Remember “-u-e” is doubled in “queue,”
Whereas in “cue” it's one;
The tail it makes appended there
Extends and hints of “long.”
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(A proofreader's note regarding “prospective” and “perspective”)
A “prospect” perchance a vision will picture,
Its “view” of a likely future;
Relating then to “looking forward,”
“Prospective” takes a posture.
As adjective it functions solely,
There “likely for the future.”
“Expected for being or likewise becoming,”
“Prospective” a promise will usher.
“Perspective” no pledge is intended to honor,
Its “point of view” essential:
One's “attitude regarding something,”
An art of rendition special.
Thus noun as well its function favors,
Not only the adjectival.
“Perspective” imputes a capacity for viewing
Relations true with no rival.
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(A proofreader's note regarding “elicit” and “illicit”)
The “e” of elicit, the “e” of extract
Are similar in meaning “away”;
“Elicit” achieves the “drawing out”
Through gentle persuasive sway.
“Elicit” more at distance stands
From sound-alike “illicit”;
A verb it is, not adjective,
Nor hidden by nature or spirit.
“Illicit” serves as adjective,
“Illegal,” “forbidden,” “wrongful.”
The “ill” of illicit may hint at deceit,
An aid to memory thankful.
The “licit” in life is “permissible,”
“Conforming to law” and “legit.”
Converting with “not” by adding the “il,”
We figure “illicit” unfit.
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(A proofreader's note about “brut” and “brute”)
In wines a “brut” holds dryness supreme,
Its name reflecting “raw”;
The human “brute” is rough and cruel,
Not bound by social law.
“The Bradley brute was vastly uncouth,
And nothing he said would soothe;
He offered a brut to even the score
While bragging of stolen loot.
They balked at the talk of its provenance,
This brut intended to quell;
Then scoffing and chuckles and certainty of jest--
The brute no longer so swell.”
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(A proofreader's note regarding “disburse” and “disperse”)
To pay out money, “disburse,”
A person may carry a burse.
From cash he will “part”
As planned from the start,
Thus “dis” as in distance rehearse.
“Disperse” will not money involve,
Though “parting” of groups it will solve.
On persons or things
All spread to the wings,
Examples of “scatter” evolve.
With movement both words are concerned.
One only to finance is turned.
“Disburse” always money
Will have in its journey,
Perhaps in exchange for what's pawned.
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(A proofreader's note regarding “portentous” and “pretentious”)
“Portentous,” related to “portent,”
Is never pronounced as portentious.
“Pretentious” may be the intention,
For “pretense” is thusly egregious.
Since portents are signs or omens,
“Portentous” relates to “momentous”
Though just as like to “ominous,”
While stretching in wonder to “pompous.”
Importance implied by “momentous”
Relates to a nature most serious;
“Portentous” may speak of a person
Who seeks to impress as prodigious.
This self-importance a basis
May find in real life for that person.
Instead, for the merely “pretentious,”
It's dream or pretense beyond reason.
Affectedly arrogant, haughty
Are synonyms two of many.
The key to “pretentious” is falsity,
Of truth it’s natch the enemy.
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(A proofreader's note regarding “vocation” and “avocation”)
One's “vocation” is the thing at which he works
For his main source of income and his perqs.
From it, he may vacation
To ply his “avocation,”
A diversion as enjoyed as any clerk's.
In our yard was a dog called Nick,
With a voice that was loud and thick;
To bark was his “vocation,”
To sniff, his “avocation,”
For the former was his calling and his shtick.
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(A proofreader's note regarding “exceptionable” and “exceptional”)
To take exception, one finds fault
With items thus excluded;
“Exceptionable” such things are,
On hand to be “excepted.”
The “able” adds the perfect clue,
Thus “open to objection.”
“Objectionable” it will mean,
A negative condition.
“Exceptional” though is positive
In almost all its usage,
Describing things above the norm,
“Superior” in their carriage.
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(A proofreader's note regarding “insure” and “ensure”)
Restrict your “insuring” to finance
And use of “ensuring” thus enhance.
Since “ensure” guarantees,
While “insure” has its fees,
Some coins you will save in your pants.
More versatile “ensure” than “insure,”
With certainty for situations more.
In the case of money paid
In advance to loss abate,
Consider for appropriateness “insure.”