Commonly Confused
February 5th, 2010
This next example of commonly confused words may not be all that commonly confused but I did happen to run into this particular pair while reading a novel just the other day and it cracked me up.
Broach and brooch
Broach: to introduce a subject for discussion, usually one that is awkward
Brooch: a piece of jewelry that is fastened to a garment by a hinged pin and catch
As usual the two words couldn’t be more disparate and when used incorrectly they most definitely do not convey what the word is meant to convey: the character in the book had a large unwieldy subject that is awkward to approach pinned to her sweater.
C A 4 ,
Reluctant to broach the sensitive subject, Stu avoided the bake sale, especially the cupcake table.
C E 3 ? Pro
Julia pinned a saccharine smile on her face as her new mother-in-law presented her with the perfectly hideous family brooch; was the thing alive?
You give it a try.
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