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.
