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shade ~ shadow
[different pronunciation]
“Shade”, as a noun, is ‘(in an open place with bright light) a spot of slight darkness or shelter where there is no light of the sun or any other strong light, because the light is blocked by something through which light cannot pass; something, such as an umbrella, a sheet of hard material through which light cannot pass, that is used to reduce or block light; (in a photograph or picture) the dark places which are not supposed to be there; (of a meaning, opinion, etc.) slightly different from others; very little; (always in plural form) the sunglasses’; as a verb, it is ‘to protect something (or to keep the bright light from falling on something or someone with the help of something opaque that does not allow light to pass through); to make a picture or a drawing darker at some places’,
shade of the trees
e.g.
They sat on the beach in the shade of a beach umbrella.
He used a cardboard sun shade for the car windshield.
A photographer must know how to mix light and shade in his photos.
There are several shades in red colour.
He shaded his eyes and looked expectantly into the vast desert.
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“Shadow”, as a noun, is ‘the dark shape a person or thing makes when they come between the light and a surface; the bad effect or influence that something or someone has on other things or persons; (of a person) someone who has no individuality or self-esteem but gets recognition or respect only because they are the relatives of some great or powerful person; small dark areas under one’s eyes that may be the result of tiredness or sleeplessness or ill-health’; as a verb, it is ‘to follow someone closely in order to find out what they are doing’; as an adjective, it is ‘the group of politicians in the British Parliament who would become ministers if their government was in power’,
the shadow of a person
e.g.
In the evening the people walking make long shadows on the smooth road surface.
Some people still live under the shadow of the Nazi regime. [i.e. in the fear or with the troubled memories of the brutality of the Nazi regime]
No budding actor likes to grow up in the shadow of their famous parents or siblings.
The detective shadowed the suspect for days hoping to catch him peddling drugs red-handed.
Common Errors:
1.
She was frightened when she saw someone’s shade go past her glass door. [wrong]
She was frightened when she saw someone’s shadow go past her glass door. [right]
2.
They lay down in the shadow of a neem tree. [wrong]
They lay down in the shade of a neem tree. [right]
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About the Author:BC Kumar
BC Kumar, an English Language Teacher, taught in numerous countries including Ethiopia, Oman and India, shares his knowledge and passion for the English Language. Disclaimer: This is a free educational website and all content has been compiled by the author. All copyrights to images and videos belong to their respective owners.
