Venal vs Venial
venal
corruptible/bribable
venial
a minor/forgivable sin
How to tell them apart
veNAL = for sALe, a bribable official. veNIAL has an extra I for a tINy, forgivable sin.
Test yourself
Which word fits from context? Pick one, then reveal the answer. This is exactly how the GRE tests these pairs.
Question 1
The inspector waved the violation through the moment an envelope of cash slid discreetly across his desk.
Choose: venal or venial
Show answer
Answer: venal
'waved the violation through the moment an envelope of cash slid' shows bribability (venal); venial (a minor sin) cannot modify a corruptible person here.
Question 2
Arriving a few minutes late was surely a offense, hardly the sort of lapse that warranted so harsh a reprimand.
Choose: venal or venial
Show answer
Answer: venial
'a few minutes late... hardly... harsh' frames a minor, forgivable fault (venial); venal (corrupt) mischaracterizes a trivial lateness.
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