1 of 2

Write now Article Tools

The English language has many ins and outs, but there are also ins and ex's and sometimes there are just words to which someone adds an in, out or ex to make a different words. There are many words that become different and sometimes opposites by adding in to one and out to another, but not always. Some that a child would think a logical opposite turn out to something entirely different. This author is well aware of those word combinations that seem logical but aren't. So let's delve into some of the ins and outs and oddities of English. Just a few, mind you, because there are so very many.

Say, for instance that the outcome of working a job results in income. Input can also result in output, unless it is embarrassing and then it tends to offput. One can have an ingrown fingernail but when it is in need of cutting it is outgrown. One can inlay bits of tile and make the entire outlay beautiful.

By now you are getting the idea, so let's move on to a few others, not all of which are opposites:

1) Inlet Outlet
2) Inline Outline
3) Inner Outer
4) Inning Outing
5) Inpatient Outpatient
6) Inside Outside
7) Insole Outsole
8) In-law Outlaw

Then there are the words that have ins but no outs:

1) Ingest
2) Indigestion
3) Incendiary
4) Inaudible
5) Inapplicable
6) Inadvertent
7) Inadequate
8) Inbreeding
9) Incise
10) Incognito

If one takes these words and replaces in with out the results sound quite odd. Then you have the words
whose opposites, or at least they sound like opposites, start with ex. Try these on for size.

1) Instinct Extinct
2) Insert Exsert
3) Infiltrate Exfiltrate
4) Inhale Exhale
5) Inhibit Exhibit
6) Inspire Expire
7) Inhalant Exhalant
8) Insistence Existence
9) Inspect Expect

Moving on to other combinations that are opposites, or should be:

1) Entrance Exit [why not outrance?]
2) Inflame Extinguish [not outflame?]
3) Inconspicuous Obvious [?]
4) Implosion Explosion
5) Imposition Exposition
6) Inconsistent Consistent

Words can be such fun to play with, as George Carlin and others have shown over the years in their performances. Some questions and words sound silly when they get misused and others, well they just sound silly. If you incise something you carve into it to make the look different. How about if you outcise something by giving it a raised look? Of course the real word to use is emboss, but that sounds more like you are telling it what to do.

One last set that should be opposites, even though the one is not really a word, and they could be very descriptive of politicians. If an Incumbent is one who is in the office already, why not call the one that has been voted out of office an outcumbent or excumbent? That way while in office he can wear his cummerbund and when he leaves office he can wear a goerbund, or a leaverbund.

Learn more about this author, Heather Foster.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Humor: Serious wordplay?
We want to hear your view. Write now!