Commonly confused words
Here’s a big list of confusing words in English, alphabetized for your convenience. These words are often confusing either due to similar spellings, pronunciations, or meanings:
- Accept vs. Except
- Accept: To receive or agree to something.
- Except: Excluding; not including.
Examples: I do not accept your answer. / I want all of them except the pink one.
- Access vs. Excess
- Access: The ability to enter (something).
- Excess: An amount that is more than needed.
Examples: I cannot access my computer. / We cannot access the building. / We have some excess water if you’d like some.
- Affect vs. Effect
- Affect: To influence or cause a change in something (usually a verb).
- Effect: The result or outcome of a change (usually a noun).
Examples: I try not to let bad news affect me. / An effect of listening to the news these days is depression.
Examples: She made an allusion to the struggles of everyday people in her speech. / That’s an illusion. It’s not real.
- Altar vs. Alter
- Altar: A table or flat-topped block used for religious rites.
- Alter: To change or modify.
Examples: The congregants went to pray at the altar. / Do not alter your account until the update is finished.
- Assure, ensure, insure
- Assure: To promise or say with confidence.
- Ensure: To make certain that something happens or is the case.
- Insure: To secure or protect against loss or harm, typically with insurance.
Examples: I assure you that I will be there. / I need to ensure that we have plenty of food for the party. / We insured our house for flood damage.
- Base vs. Bass
- Base: A noun, verb, and adjective. To have a literal or figurative bottom or foundation; to have a particular or main place where one works or lives; not honest or good (not as commonly used)
- Bass: It can refer to a fish (short “a”) or a low or deep sound (long “a”).
Examples: Meet me at the base of the mountain. / Our business is based out of China. / He has base motives.
- Brake vs. Break
- Brake: A device for slowing or stopping a vehicle.
- Break: To separate into pieces as a result of a blow or strain.
Examples: The car’s brakes stopped working. / John needs a break from work.
- Capital vs. Capitol
- Capital: (1) A city which is the seat of government; (2) Money or wealth; (3) Uppercase letters.
- Capitol: A building in which a state legislature meets.
Examples: The state capitol building was closed due to a fire. / The capital of the US is Washington, D.C.
- Cite, site, sight
- Cite: To quote or mention as an example or proof.
- Site: A place where something is, was, or will be located.
- Sight: The ability to see; something that is seen.
Examples: Be sure to cite your sources. / This looks like a great site to camp. / The trees are blocking my sight.
- Complement vs. Compliment
- Complement: Something that completes or goes well with something else.
- Compliment: A polite expression of praise or admiration.
Examples: That blue shirt really complements your eyes. / Compliment your mother on how good the house looks. She spent the day cleaning it.
- Council vs. Counsel
- Council: An advisory or legislative body.
- Counsel: Advice, especially that given formally; an attorney or counselor.
Examples: The city council was divided on the issue. / I counseled her on her continued tardiness.
- Desert vs. Dessert
- Desert: (1) An arid land with little vegetation; (2) To abandon.
- Dessert: The sweet course eaten at the end of a meal.
Examples: We deserted the car in the hot desert. / I don’t have room for dessert.
- Elicit vs. Illicit
- Elicit: To draw out or bring forth.
- Illicit: Forbidden by law, rules, or custom.
Examples: See if you can elicit a response from him. / He had an illicit drug addiction.
- Farther vs. Further
- Farther: Referring to physical distance.
- Further: Referring to a metaphorical or additional extent.
Examples: My house is only a little farther up the road. / We can dive further into this when we have more information.
- Flair vs. Flare
- Flair: A natural talent or aptitude.
- Flare: To burn with an unsteady, swaying flame; a widening or spreading out.
Examples: He has some great flair for playing basketball. / The fire will flare up in the wind.
- Hole vs. Whole
- Hole: An opening through something.
- Whole: All of something; complete.
Examples: There’s a big hole in the ground. / The whole world is upset right now.
- Its vs. It’s
- Its: Possessive form of “it”.
- It’s: A contraction of “it is” or “it has”.
Examples: The dog ate its treat. / It’s going to take a long time.
Note: If you struggle with its vs it’s, simply use “it is” and “its” in a sentence. If “is” doesn’t fit, then it is “its“.
- Lead vs. Led
- Lead: (1) To guide or direct (verb); (2) A heavy metal (noun).
- Led: Past tense of the verb “lead” (to guide).
Examples: The teacher leads the class. / The pencil is made with lead. / The teacher led the class.
- Loose vs. Lose
- Loose: Not tight or free from restraint.
- Lose: To be deprived of or cease to have.
Examples: The lid is loose. / We will lose the game.
- Peace vs. Piece
- Peace: Harmony or the absence of war.
- Piece: A portion or share of something.
Examples: I love the peace and calm of nature. / May I have a piece of cake?
- Principal vs. Principle
- Principal: (1) The head of a school; (2) The main or most important.
- Principle: A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior.
Examples: The principal told the students to stop running. / The principal reason we are here is to learn. / We can find many of those principles in their religion.
- Stationary vs. Stationery
- Stationary: Not moving or not intended to be moved.
- Stationery: Writing materials, like paper and envelopes.
Examples: The car was stationary when it got hit by another vehicle. / We need to check how much stationery is left because we ran out of paper last time.
- Their, there, they’re
- Their: Belonging to or associated with them.
- There: In or at that place.
- They’re: Contraction of “they are”.
Examples: The is their dog. / Put it there. / They’re coming over tomorrow.
- To, too, two
- To: Used for indicating direction, purpose, or result.
- Too: Also or excessively.
- Two: The number after one.
Examples: Let’s go to the mall. / I want to go too. / That is too much sugar.
- Weather vs. Whether
- Weather: The state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time.
- Whether: Expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives.
Examples: The weather for today will be snowy. / Whether or not you trust me, I’m telling you the truth.
This list is by no means exhaustive but covers some of the most commonly confused words in English. Remember, context usually helps distinguish between these words, but it’s always good to double-check when in doubt.
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[…] and “except” are another pair of words that often cause confusion. They sound similar but have very different meanings and uses and knowing when to use each comes […]