Reading Theme:
Favour: Meaning, Usage & Common Mistakes (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：kind act (favour)
favour
/ˈfeɪvə(r)/
n./vt.
A kind act that you do for someone without expecting anything in return.
kind act
➕
/kaɪnd ækt/
n./vt.
A helpful or generous deed done for someone else.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'favor' (goodwill, support), through Old French 'favor'.
💡 Mnemonic
FAVOURite people get special kindness and support from you.
📖 Example
Could you do me a favour and pass the salt, please?
Could you perform a helpful act for me by passing the salt, please?
🔗 Collocations
do (someone) a favour – to perform a helpful act for someone
ask a favour – to request someone's help
return a favour – to do something helpful in return for a past kindness
🔄 Synonyms
kindness (n.) – A friendly, generous, or considerate act.
good deed (n.) – A positive or helpful action.
assistance (n.) – The action of helping someone by sharing the work.
🚫 Antonyms
disservice (n.) – A harmful or unhelpful action.
harm (n.) – Physical or mental damage or injury.
🌱 Derivatives
favourable (adj.) – expressing approval; advantageous
📖 Cultural Story
The word entered English via Anglo-Norman French. It holds significant weight in legal and political contexts; for example, in British Parliament, members vote 'in favour' or 'against' motions, a formal usage dating back centuries.
Meaning 2：support (favour)
favour
/ˈfeɪvə(r)/
n./vt.
To like, approve of, or support something or someone.
support
➕
/səˈpɔːt/
n./vt.
To be in a state of approval, liking, or support for something or someone.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The committee voted in favour of the new environmental plan.
The committee cast their votes supporting the new environmental plan.
🔗 Collocations
in favour of – in support of; to the advantage of
find favour with – to gain the approval or support of
argue in favour of – to present reasons supporting something
🔄 Synonyms
approval (n.) – The feeling of having a positive opinion of someone or something.
endorsement (n.) – An act of giving one's public support or approval to something.
backing (n.) – Support or help, especially financial or political.
🚫 Antonyms
opposition (n.) – Disagreement with or resistance to something.
disfavour (n.) – Disapproval or dislike.
Meaning 3：preference (favour)
favour
/ˈfeɪvə(r)/
n./vt.
To treat someone or something better than others; to show preference for.
preference
➕
/ˈprefrəns/
n./vt.
To give unfair or special advantage to one person or group over others.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The teacher tries not to favour any particular student in class.
The teacher makes an effort to avoid showing special preference to any specific student in class.
🔗 Collocations
favour (someone) over (others) – to give an unfair advantage to one person instead of others
show favour to – to treat someone with preferential kindness
🔄 Synonyms
preference (n.) – A greater liking for one alternative over another or others.
partiality (n.) – Unfair bias in favour of one person or group.
bias (n.) – Inclination or prejudice for or against one person or group.
🚫 Antonyms
impartiality (n.) – Equal treatment of all rivals or disputants; fairness.
neutrality (n.) – The state of not supporting or helping either side in a conflict.
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