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  • Learn more about commonly confused words right here

Top 20 Commonly Confused Words

No one ever said the English language was simple and straightforward. There are certain words and phrases that even seasoned professionals get confused from time to time. Here’s a list of our favorites, along with their correct usage:

1. accept/except
Accept means to receive. He accepts defeat well.
Except means to take or leave out. Please take all the books off the shelf except for the red one.

2. accessible/assessable
Accessible means easily approached, reached or attained. The auditorium must be accessible to people with limited mobility.
Assessable means capable of being evaluated. The test results must be assessable by all instructors.

3. adverse/averse
Adverse means harmful, unfavorable, or acting in one’s interests. The plan had some unforeseen adverse effects.
Averse means opposed to, reluctant or having a feeling of distaste. I am not averse to your idea.

4. affect/effect
Affect can be used as a verb, meaning “to influence, change, assume.” Avoid using affect as a noun. Your comment will not affect (change) the outcome. She affects (assumes) an unsophisticated manner.
Effect can be used as a verb meaning “to bring about,” or as a noun meaning “result, impression.” It is essential that we effect (bring about) an immediate improvement in sales. It will be months before we can assess the full effect (result) of the new law.

5. already/all ready
Already means “previously”. The order has already been shipped.
All ready means “all prepared”. The order is all ready to be shipped.

6. assess/asses
Assess means to place a value on or judge the worth of something. It’s time to assess the damage done by the storm.
Asses is the plural of ass. All the asses must be moved to the barn.

7. assure/ensure/insure
Assure means “to give someone confidence.” I want to assure you that nothing will go wrong.
Ensure means “to make certain.” I want to ensure that nothing can go wrong tomorrow.
Insure means  ”to protect against loss.” I want to insure this necklace for $5,000.

8. capital/capitol
Capital means a seat of government or financial resources. The capital of Minnesota is St. Paul.
Capitol means the actual building in which the legislative body meets. The governor will address the committee at the capitol.

9. cite/site/sight
Cite means to quote a document. It is important to cite the source in your paper.
Sight means vision. The sight of the children playing made the old man smile.
Site means a position or place. We need to find a better site for the meeting.

10. complement/compliment
Complement can be used as a noun, something that completes. As a verb, it means to complete. The right wine will complement the fruit and cheese.
Compliment can be used as a noun, meaning praise. As a verb, it means to praise. The teacher complimented her student on his spelling.

11. compose/comprise
Compose means to create or form something by putting together elements. The proposal team is composed of staff members from three different divisions.
Comprise means to consist of or to be made up of. The proposal team comprises the company’s top marketing specialists.

12. continuous/continual
Continuous primarily means without interruption, and can refer to space as well as time. The cliffs form a continuous line along the coast.
Continual means happening frequently with intervals between. The bus service has been disrupted by continual breakdowns.

13. desert/dessert
Desert means a dry land with few plants. It can be dangerous to cross the desert without proper preparation.
Dessert means a sweet food usually served at the end of a meal. Her chocolate pie was the best dessert I’ve ever tasted.

14. farther/further
Farther refers to distance, meaning more distant. We will have to travel farther because of the detour.
Further means to a greater extent or degree. Please contact me if you need further information.

15. imply/infer
Imply means to suggest. Her tone of voice implied that she was angry.
Infer means to deduce, guess, or conclude. From her lack of response, I think we can infer that she is not interested.

16. lay/lie
Lay (also laid and laying) means to put or to place. Please lay the file on my desk.
Lie (also lay, lain, lying) means to recline, rest or stay, referring to a person or thing either assuming or being in a reclining position. I’m going to lie down until my headache goes away.

17. ordinance/ordnance
Ordinance means a regulation, rule, law or public injunction or decree. You must be aware of all local ordinances when constructing a new building.
Ordnance means artillery, military weapons, or the branch of a military force engaged in securing and storing supplies. The military has several ordnance specialists at that location.

18. predominant/predominate
Predominant means something that has the greatest influence or is a prevalent factor. The predominant crop on the island was sugar.
Predominate is a verb that means to be the most important or to have a controlling influence. Sugar processing plants predominated the local economy.

19. principal/principle
Principal can be used as a noun, meaning head or chief, or as an adjective meaning highest or best. She was the principal proponent of the new law.
Principle means basic truth, law, or assumption. I try to live by my principles.

20. stationary/stationery
Stationary means fixed or unchanging. During the cold weather months, I ride a stationary bike.
Stationery means paper used for writing. The letter was written on monogrammed stationery.

Additional resources:
AskOxford: Commonly Confused Words
University of Richmond - Writer's Web - Commonly Confused Words

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - Commonly Confused Words



  

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