Difficult Words :

Subtle and Substantive





Difficult Words : Subtle and Substantive

Substantive (SUB stan tiv) adj: having substance, real' essential, solid, substantial

The Differences between the two theories were not substantive. In fact, the two theories said the same thing with different words.

The gossip columnist’s wild accusations were not based on anything substantive. Her source was a convicted criminal and she had made up all the quotations.




Subtle (SUT ul) adj: not obvious, able to make fine distinctions, ingenious, crafty

The alien beings had created a very shred replica of Mr.Jenson, but his wife did notice a few subtle differences including the fact that the new Mr. Jenson had no pulse or internal organs.

Joe's subtle mind enables him to see past problems that confuse the rest of us.

The burglar was very subtle. He had come up with a plan that would enable him to steal all the money in the world without arousing the suspicions of the authorities.

Something subtle is a subtlety.



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