§ Mistakes people make with "deprive"
The word "deprive" is often misused, leading to awkward or incorrect sentences. Understanding its nuances and common pitfalls can significantly improve your English. Here, we'll explore some of the most frequent mistakes learners make when using "deprive" and how to avoid them.
§ 1. Incorrect Preposition Use
- DEFINITION
- The most common mistake is using the wrong preposition after "deprive." The correct preposition is always "of."
The war deprived many children of their homes.
Incorrect usage often includes prepositions like "from," "away from," or even no preposition at all. Remember, "deprive" acts like verbs such as "rob" or "rid," which also take "of" when indicating what is taken away.
Incorrect: The dictator deprived his people from their rights.
Correct: The dictator deprived his people of their rights.
§ 2. Using "deprive" for Minor or Trivial Losses
- DEFINITION
- "Deprive" carries a strong connotation of taking away something essential, important, or necessary. Using it for minor inconveniences or trivial losses can sound overly dramatic or simply incorrect.
For example, you wouldn't typically say you were "deprived of a good parking spot." You might say you "missed out on" or "couldn't get" a good parking spot. The word implies a significant loss, often with negative consequences for the person or entity being deprived.
Incorrect: The rain deprived us of a pleasant picnic.
Correct: The rain prevented us from having a pleasant picnic. (Or: The rain ruined our picnic.)
Correct: Lack of sleep can deprive you of your energy.
§ 3. Confusing "deprive" with "prevent"
- DEFINITION
- While both words can relate to a lack of something, "deprive" implies an active taking away or withholding, whereas "prevent" means to stop something from happening or someone from doing something.
The key difference lies in the agent's action and the recipient's experience. If someone or something actively removes a possession or right, use "deprive." If an obstacle simply stops an action or event, use "prevent."
The loud music prevented me from sleeping.
My neighbor's party deprived me of sleep.
In the first example, the music is an obstacle. In the second, the party actively took away sleep (though indirectly). The second sentence works because sleep is a necessary element for a healthy life. If the music was simply annoying, "prevented" would be more appropriate.
§ 4. Overusing the Passive Voice
- DEFINITION
- While not strictly a mistake, frequently using "deprive" in the passive voice can make your writing less direct and impactful. It's often better to identify the agent of deprivation when possible.
The passive voice is often used when the agent is unknown, unimportant, or obvious. However, in many cases, especially when discussing rights or essential needs, identifying who or what is doing the depriving adds clarity and strength to your statement.
- Passive: The prisoners were deprived of food.
- Active: The guards deprived the prisoners of food.
Both sentences are grammatically correct, but the active voice (second example) is more direct and assigns responsibility. Consider whether identifying the subject makes your message stronger.
§ 5. Misunderstanding the Severity
- DEFINITION
- "Deprive" often implies a moral or ethical failing on the part of the one doing the depriving, or at least a significant negative impact on the one being deprived. It's not a neutral term for 'taking away.'
When you use "deprive," you're usually highlighting an injustice or a serious hardship. It's a powerful word that conveys a sense of loss that is often unfair or harmful.
Incorrect: I accidentally deprived my friend of his pen.
Correct: I accidentally took my friend's pen.
Correct: The government's new policies deprived many citizens of their social benefits.
By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can use "deprive" more accurately and effectively in your communication. Always consider the context, the impact of the loss, and the correct grammatical structure.
How Formal Is It?
"The sudden economic downturn threatened to bereave many families of their financial stability."
"The new policy will take away some of the benefits previously offered to employees."
"They're going to strip him of his title after that scandal."
"If you don't eat your vegetables, Mommy might take away your dessert."
"That company tried to rip me off by charging for services I didn't get."
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
to be deprived of something
być pozbawionym czegoś
deprive someone of their property
pozbawić kogoś własności
the war deprived them of their home
wojna pozbawiła ich domu
lack of sleep can deprive you of energy
brak snu może pozbawić cię energii
don't deprive yourself of simple pleasures
nie pozbawiaj się prostych przyjemności
these laws would deprive citizens of basic rights
te prawa pozbawiłyby obywateli podstawowych praw
it's unfair to deprive children of play time
niesprawiedliwe jest pozbawianie dzieci czasu na zabawę
he felt deprived of affection
czuł się pozbawiony uczuć
the drought deprived the land of water
susza pozbawiła ziemię wody
they were deprived of communication with the outside world
byli pozbawieni kontaktu ze światem zewnętrznym
Teste-toi 42 questions
The war will ___ many people of their homes.
To 'deprive' means to take something away. In this sentence, the war is taking away homes.
Lack of sleep can ___ you of energy.
To 'deprive' someone of energy means to take away their energy.
Don't ___ the cat of its food.
To 'deprive' the cat of its food means to prevent it from having its food.
The new rules might ___ some children of their playtime.
To 'deprive' children of playtime means to take away their playtime.
Too much screen time can ___ you of real-world experiences.
To 'deprive' someone of experiences means to prevent them from having those experiences.
The sudden cold weather will ___ plants of warmth.
To 'deprive' plants of warmth means to take away their warmth.
The lack of sunlight can ___ plants of essential nutrients.
To deprive means to take something away, which fits the context of plants losing nutrients due to lack of sunlight.
Working too much can ___ you of sleep.
If you work too much, you are likely to lose sleep, so 'deprive' is the correct word here.
The harsh weather conditions can ___ animals of food and water.
Harsh weather often leads to a lack of resources for animals, making 'deprive' the appropriate choice.
The strict rules might ___ students of their creativity.
Strict rules can sometimes stifle creativity, so 'deprive' is the best fit.
He felt ___ of a normal childhood because he had to work.
If someone had to work and missed out on a normal childhood, they were 'deprived' of it.
We shouldn't ___ anyone of their basic human rights.
It is wrong to take away someone's basic human rights, so 'deprive' is the correct verb.
Write a sentence describing something that might deprive a plant of sunlight.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
A large tree can deprive a small plant of sunlight.
Imagine you have a pet. What would deprive your pet of happiness?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Not giving my dog enough food would deprive him of energy and happiness.
Complete the sentence: 'A very busy schedule can deprive a person of _______.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
A very busy schedule can deprive a person of free time.
What is Tom's job depriving him of?
Read this passage:
Tom works very long hours every day. He often comes home late and feels very tired. Because of his job, he doesn't have much time to relax or see his friends. This situation makes him feel sad sometimes.
What is Tom's job depriving him of?
The passage says Tom feels tired and doesn't have time to relax or see friends, which means his job is depriving him of sleep and social life.
The passage says Tom feels tired and doesn't have time to relax or see friends, which means his job is depriving him of sleep and social life.
What are these children being deprived of?
Read this passage:
In some countries, children cannot go to school because there are no schools nearby, or their families cannot afford the costs. This means they are not able to learn to read and write. Education is very important for their future.
What are these children being deprived of?
The passage states that children cannot go to school and learn, which deprives them of education and a good future.
The passage states that children cannot go to school and learn, which deprives them of education and a good future.
What can a power cut deprive you of?
Read this passage:
A sudden power cut can be very annoying. When the electricity goes off, you might not be able to watch TV, use your computer, or even cook dinner. It can stop many normal activities in your home.
What can a power cut deprive you of?
The passage mentions not being able to watch TV, use a computer, or cook dinner, which are all activities that require light and electronic use.
The passage mentions not being able to watch TV, use a computer, or cook dinner, which are all activities that require light and electronic use.
Think about the impact of drought on agriculture.
Consider the consequences of not getting enough rest.
What might a new law take away from people?
Read this aloud:
It is important that no child should be deprived of education.
Focus: deprived of education
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Read this aloud:
Prolonged illness can deprive a person of their energy and motivation.
Focus: prolonged illness, energy and motivation
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Read this aloud:
Many people believe that access to clean water is a right, and no one should be deprived of it.
Focus: access to clean water, deprived of it
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The company's unethical practices were found to ___ its employees of their rightful benefits, leading to widespread outrage.
'Deprive' means to take something away from someone, which fits the context of employees losing their benefits.
Prolonged exposure to the harsh conditions can ___ the body of essential nutrients, leading to serious health issues.
To 'deprive' the body of nutrients means to take them away or prevent the body from having them, which causes health problems.
The new regulations aim to prevent landlords from ___ tenants of their basic rights to a safe and habitable living environment.
To 'deprive' tenants of their rights means to take those rights away from them.
When you are deprived of sleep, it means you have had more sleep than usual.
To be 'deprived' of sleep means you have had less sleep than you need or are accustomed to.
A government that deprives its citizens of their freedom is typically considered oppressive.
To 'deprive' citizens of their freedom means to take it away, which is characteristic of an oppressive government.
To deprive someone of something implies that they are gaining an advantage or benefit.
To 'deprive' someone of something means to take it away, which implies a loss or disadvantage, not a gain.
Think about what plants need to grow.
Consider the consequences of not getting enough sleep.
What does 'independence' mean for a business?
Read this aloud:
It's important not to deprive yourself of simple pleasures in life.
Focus: deprive
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Read this aloud:
Many people feel that poverty can deprive individuals of opportunities.
Focus: poverty, opportunities
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Read this aloud:
Do you think strict parenting can deprive children of their creativity?
Focus: strict, creativity
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The stringent new regulations threaten to ___ many small businesses of their autonomy and ability to innovate, stifling economic growth.
To 'deprive' means to take something away, which fits the context of regulations threatening to take away autonomy from businesses. The other options have opposite or unrelated meanings.
Despite her undeniable talent, the lack of opportunities in her home country continued to ___ her of the international recognition she rightfully deserved.
The sentence implies that the lack of opportunities is preventing her from achieving recognition, so 'deprive' is the correct verb meaning to take away or prevent from having.
The prolonged drought will inevitably ___ the region's agricultural sector of vital water resources, leading to widespread crop failure and economic hardship.
A drought takes away water resources, so 'deprive' accurately describes the negative impact on the agricultural sector.
Critics argue that the proposed curriculum changes will ___ students of a comprehensive understanding of humanities, emphasizing STEM subjects disproportionately.
If the changes lead to a lack of comprehensive understanding, students are being 'deprived' of it. The other options suggest adding or improving something.
The invasive species, rapidly colonizing the ecosystem, threatens to ___ native wildlife of their essential habitats and food sources, disrupting the delicate balance.
Invasive species take away resources from native wildlife, making 'deprive' the appropriate verb.
His chronic insomnia continued to ___ him of the restorative sleep necessary for optimal cognitive function and overall well-being, impacting his daily life significantly.
Insomnia prevents someone from getting sleep, which is a form of deprivation. Thus, 'deprive' is the correct choice.
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
Exemple
Do not deprive yourself of sleep.
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