Thursday, March 17, 2022

Usage tip: depravity vs. deprivation

Short and sweet, inspired by a recent article in my local newspaper:

Depravity refers to the acts or characteristics or acts of someone who is depraved--i.e., morally corrupt, evil, toxic. Deprivation refers to a state of being denied or refused access to something--the state of being deprived. 

Incorrect:

  • Lots of people complain about daylight saving time because it leads to sleep depravity.
  • It is hard for people who haven't experienced it to understand the acts of deprivation committed by war criminals.

Correct:

  • New parents, suffering from sleep deprivation, are more likely to fall asleep while driving.
  • Upon seeing the video footage of the massacre, I was left speechless by the depravity of the acts it showed.

No comments: