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Usage of words in correct context

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English is an alien tongue: we use only to communicate. Some people are very strict about the usages of words in correct context.

There is a good old story about Noah Webster of eighteenth century, who used give, a lot of importance to pronunciation and usage of words in correct context.

Once, Webster wanted to go to some place far away from home for a tour of 4 days. He took his journey bag, informed his wife of his absence for 4 days, bid good bye to her and rushed to catch the train.
But Webster could not reach the station in time and missed the train. In dejection, he returned home. On reaching the home he found the front door was open and some conversation sound was heard from the bed room. Webster was shocked to see his wife was in bed with somebody else.

Mrs. Webster casually said, “Mr. Webster! I am astonished to sea you by this time.”

At this, (not on her behavior but on her usage of words) Webster got angry and shouted, “You are not astonished. I am astonished but you are only surprised”.

Astonish – no element of expectation, totally unexpected
Surprise – expected but not at that time.
 
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