Tortuous vs. Torturous
These two words look and sound similar but have different meanings.
1. Meaning and Difference
- Tortuous (adjective) – means full of twists and turns, complicated, or indirect. It refers to winding paths, complex processes, or tricky situations.
- Torturous (adjective) – means causing extreme pain, suffering, or torture. It refers to physical or emotional agony.
2. Pronunciation
Both are pronounced similarly:
- Tortuous: /ˈtɔːr.tʃu.əs/ (TOR-choo-us)
- Torturous: /ˈtɔːr.tʃər.əs/ (TOR-chur-us)
3. Usage and Examples
✅ Correct usage:
The road to the mountain was tortuous, with many sharp turns. (Winding, complex)
His explanation was so tortuous that no one understood. (Complicated, indirect)
The prisoners endured torturous conditions. (Full of suffering)
Waiting for the exam results was torturous. (Mentally painful)
❌ Common mistake:
- The river followed a torturous path through the valley. ❌ (Should be "tortuous" because it means winding.)
- The hike was long and tortuous on my legs. ❌ (Should be "torturous" because it caused pain.)
Quick Trick to Remember
- Tortuous = Twisting (both have "u") 🛤️
- Torturous = Painful (related to "torture") 😣
No comments:
Post a Comment