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- lectern/podium: lectern is a stand to conveniently hold a script or notes for a standing speaker; podium is the floor under a stage speaking area [from "foot"]
- lend/loan: lend is the verb for temporarily letting a person use something (before the return of the item); loan is only used for monetary dealings
- less/fewer: less is used for quantity (mass nouns) {She had less money in her purse). fewer is used for things counted [She had fewer pennies in her purse] Correct usage of these words is crucial in being considered a skilled user of USA English
- liable/likely/apt: liable is used with a legal obligation (“Speeders are liable to lose their licenses”) and has a connotation of disadvantage or risk; likely conveys tendency or affirmative probability; apt denotes a sentient creature's volition or habitual tendency
- libel/slander/defamation: libel is the written form of defamation; other-than-written defamation is slander; defamation is spreading a lie that damages an individual’s reputation and/or livelihood
- literally/figuratively: literally only means “in fact” (as in “he was literally 6-foot tall”); never to be used in a figurative sense; figuratively denotes something metaphorical or allegorical. These are antonyms that get mingled. Both are overused and should be avoided. As modifiers, both can usually be deleted to improve prose.
- loathe/loath: to loathe is to despise or to consider something with abhorrence; loath is an adverb indicating reluctance (“she was loath to eat sweets”)
- luxuriant/luxurious: luxuriant indicates abundant and thriving botanical growth; luxurious means ornate and lavish
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