Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Hanged vs. Hung


Hanged and hung both are past participles and past tenses of the verb to hang but they are used in different contexts.


Hanged is restricted to the sense of hang that means to suspend by the neck until dead, or to put to death by hanging.
  • He was hanged for murder.
  • She hanged herself moments after the result was announced.
  • A few hours after he was hanged, the terrorist's body was buried at the central jail.
In all other senses of the word hang, hung is the preferred form as past tense and past participle.
  • They hung the picture on the wall by the door.
  • A towel hung from the the rail.
  • I hung my daughter's picture above my working desk.


Wednesday, September 03, 2014

Flammable, Inflammable and Nonflammable


Flammable and inflammable are synonyms. 
Both mean easily set on fire; burning easily; burnable; easily ignited and capable of burning rapidly.
  • Children toys and clothes should not be made of flammable/ inflammable material.
  • Never ignite a fire near a flammable/ inflammable substance.
  • Because gasoline is one of the most flammable/ inflammable liquids, fire is a serious threat in any vehicle service area.
Nonflammable is the antonym/ opposite of flammable.
It means not flammable; incapable of burning or not easily set on fire.
  • Carbon Dioxide is a nonflammable gas that extinguishes fire.
  • Candles should always be placed in sturdy holders made of nonflammable material.
  • It is always advisable to use nonflammable, quick bonding adhesives for bonding metals, wood and plastic materials.