Confusing English Words
Everyone knows the problem with spell-check: your word might be spelled right, but it may be the wrong word. English is full of confusing words that sound alike but are spelled differently. It’s also full of words that share similar (but not identical) meanings that are easy to misuse. Below are some of the most commonly confused and misused words in English.
Advice / Advise Advice is a noun: John gave Mary good advice. Advise is a verb: John advised Mary to avoid the questionable chicken salad.
Affect / Effect Affect is usually a verb: John’s humming affected Mary’s ability to concentrate. Effect is usually a noun: John was sorry for the effect his humming had. If you find yourself stumped about which one to use in a sentence, try substituting the word “alter” or “result.” If “alter” fits ( John’s humming altered Mary’s ability to concentrate), use affect. If “result” fits ( John was sorry for the result his humming had), use effect.
Among / Amongst Among is the preferred and most common variant of this word in American English. Amongst is more common in British English. Neither version is wrong, but amongst may seem fussy to American readers.
Among / Between Among expresses a collective or loose relationship of several items: John found a letter hidden among the papers on the desk. Between expresses the relationship of one thing to another thing or to many other things: Mary spent all day carrying messages between John and the other students. The idea that between can be used only when talking about two things is a myth—it’s perfectly correct to use between if you are talking about multiple binary relationships.
Breath / Breathe Breath is a noun; it’s the air that goes in and out of your lungs: John held his breath while Mary skateboarded down the stairs. Breathe is a verb; it means to exhale or inhale: After Mary’s spectacular landing, John had to remind himself to breathe again.
Capital / Capitol Capital has several meanings. It can refer to an uppercase letter, money, or a city where a seat of government is located: John visited Brasίlia, the capital of Brazil. Capitol means the building where a legislature meets: Mary visited the cafe in the basement of the capitol after watching a bill become a law.
Complement / Compliment A complement is something that completes something else. It’s often used to describe things that go well together: John’s lime green boots were a perfect complement to his jacket. A compliment is a nice thing to say: Mary received many compliments on her purple fedora.
Disinterested / Uninterested Disinterested means impartial: A panel of disinterested judges who had never met the contestants before judged the singing contest. Uninterested means bored or not wanting to be involved with something: Mary was uninterested in attending John’s singing class.
Defence / Defense Defense is standard in American English. Defence is found mainly in British English.
Emigrate / Immigrate Emigrate means to move away from a city or country to live somewhere else: John’s grandfather emigrated from Canada sixty years ago. Immigrate means to move into a country from somewhere else: Mary’s sister immigrated to Ireland in 2004.
e.g. / i.e. These two Latin abbreviations are often mixed up, but e.g. means “for example,” while i.e. means “that is.”
Empathy / Sympathy Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s perspective or feelings. Sympathy is a feeling of sorrow for someone else’s suffering. A sympathizer is someone who agrees with a particular ideal or cause.
Farther / Further Farther refers to physical distance: Mary can run farther than John. Further refers to metaphorical distance: John is further away from finishing his project than Mary is.
Flaunt / Flout Flaunt means to show off: John flaunted his stylish new outfit. Flout means to defy, especially in a way that shows scorn: Mary flouted the business-casual dress code by wearing a tiara and flip-flops.
Gaff / Gaffe A gaff is a type of spear or hook with a long handle: John completed his sailor costume with a gaff borrowed from his uncle’s fishing boat. A gaffe is a faux pas or social misstep: Mary made a gaffe when she accidentally called John by the wrong name.
Gray / Grey Gray is the standard American English spelling. Grey is the standard British English spelling.
Historic / Historical Historic means famous, important, and influential: John visited the beach in Kitty Hawk where the Wright brothers made their historic first airplane flight. Historical means related to history: Mary donned a historical bonnet for the renaissance fair.
Imply / Infer Imply means to hint at something without saying it directly: John implied that Mary was in trouble, but he wouldn’t tell her why. Infer means to deduce something that hasn’t been stated directly: Mary inferred that John was nervous about something from the way he kept looking over his shoulder.
It’s/Its It’s is a contraction of “it is”: Mary needs to pack for her trip because it’s only two days away. Its is a possessive pronoun that means “belonging to it”: John is obsessed with both the book and its author.
Lay / Lie To lay means to put or to place. One way to remember this is that there is an a in both to lay and to place: Mary will lay out her outfit before she goes to bed. To lie means to recline. One way to remember this is that there is an e in both to lie and to recline: John will lie down for a nap. Be careful, though. The past tense of to lay is laid: Mary laid out her outfit. The past tense of to lie is lay: John lay down for a nap over an hour ago.
Lead / Led Lead, when it rhymes with “bed,” refers to a type of metal: Mary wore a lead apron while the dentist X-rayed her teeth. Led is the past tense of the verb to lead, which means to guide or to be first: John led the way.
Learned / Learnt Learned is standard in American English. Learnt is standard in British English.
Loose / Lose Loose is usually an adjective: Mary discovered that the cows were loose. Lose is always a verb. It means to misplace something or to be unvictorious in a game or contest: John was careful not to lose his ticket.
Principal / Principle Principal can be a noun or adjective. As a noun, it refers to the person in charge of a school or organization: Mary was called into the principal’s office. As an adjective, it means most important: The principal reason for this meeting is to brainstorm ideas for the theme of John’s birthday party. A principle (always a noun) is a firmly held belief or ideal: Mary doesn’t like surprise parties as a matter of principle.
Inquiry / Enquiry Inquiry and enquiry both mean “a request for information.” Inquiry is the standard American English spelling. Enquiry is the British spelling.
Stationary / Stationery Stationary means unmoving: The revolving door remained stationary because Mary was pushing on it the wrong way. Stationery refers to letter writing materials and especially to high quality paper: John printed his résumé on his best stationery.
Than / Then Than is used for comparisons: Mary runs faster than John. Then is used to indicate time or sequence: Mary took off running, and then John came along and finished her breakfast.
Their / There / They’re Their is the possessive form of “they”: John and Mary took their time. There indicates a place: It took them an hour to get there. They’re is a contraction of “they are”: Are John and Mary coming? They’re almost here.
To / Too To is a preposition that can indicate direction: Mary walked to school. She said hello to John when she saw him. To is also used in the infinitive form of verbs: John waited until the last minute to do his homework. Too is used as an intensifier, and also means “also”: Mary waited too long to do her homework, too.
Toward / Towards Toward is standard in American English. Towards is standard in British English.
Who’s / Whose Who’s is a contraction of “who is”: Who’s calling John at this hour? Whose is a possessive pronoun that means “belonging to [someone]”: John, whose phone hadn’t stopped ringing all morning, barely ate anything for breakfast.
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