COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS

COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS

1.      COMPLEMENT, COMPLIMENT:

'Complement' (verb) means 'to make complete'. Example: This hat will complement my new dress.

A 'Complement' (noun) a thing that enhances something by contributing extra features', 'Compliment' (verb) means 'to politely congratulate'.

A 'Compliment' (noun) is 'something said in praise'. Example: Thank you for the compliment about my dress.

2.      CONTINUOUS, CONTINUAL:

'Continuous' primarily means 'without interruption', and can refer to space as well as time. Example: The cliffs from a continuous time along the coast.

'Continual' on the other hand, typically manes 'happening frequently, with intervals between', Example: The bus service has been disrupted by continual breakdowns.

3.      CONVINCE, PERSUADE:

We 'Persuade' people to act

We 'Convince' when using proof to accept a belief

Hence, we usually are 'convinced' something is true, but others try to 'persuade' us to something.

4.      COUNCIL, COUNSEL:

'Council' means 'an administrative or advisory body'.

'Counsel' means 'advice or guidance'

5.      COUNCILLOR, COUNSELOR:

A 'Councilor' is a member of a council

A 'Counselor' is someone who gives guidance on personal or psychological problems

6.      CREDIBLE. CREDITABLE:

'Credible' means 'believable', convincing'

'Creditable' means 'deserving acknowledgement and praise

7.      DEFINITE, DEFINITIVE:

'Definite' means 'certain'

'Definitive' means 'decisive and with authority

8.      DEFUSE, DIFFUSE:

'Defuse' means 'remove the fuse from (an explosive device) or reduce the danger or tension in a difficult situation'.

'Diffuse' means 'spread over a wide area'.

9.      DESERT, DESSERT:

'Desert' is a waterless area.

'Dessert' is a sweet dish.

10.  DISCREET, DISCRETE:

'Discreet' means 'careful not to attract attention or give offence'. You are 'discreet' when you are tactful with others.

'Discrete' means 'separate, distinct'. Things are 'discrete' elements if they are separate, distinct, and non-overlapping.

11.  DISINTERESTED, UNINTERESTED:

'Uninterested' people are 'indifferent' or 'board'

'Disinterested' people are 'impartial', Example: We are tired by a disinterested jury of our peers.

12.  DOUBT IF, DOUBT WHETHER, DOUBT THAT:

Do not write 'I doubt if he really cares, 'since this construction states that you question the 'if' part of the phrase.

If there really is no doubt use 'doubt whether' Example: 'I doubt that the really cares'.

If there really is doubt use 'doubt whether' Example: 'I have doubt whether we may end the meeting on time'.

13.  DRAFT, DRAUGHT:

In British English 'draft' means 'a preliminary version' or 'an order to pay a sum'

A 'Draught' is a 'current of air' or 'an act of drinking'.

In North American English the spelling draft is used for all senses. The verb is usually spelled draft.

14.  EGOISM, EGOTISM:

'Egotism' means 'excessive conceit or self-absorption'.

'Egoism' is a less common and more technical word, for an ethical theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality.

15.  EMIGRATE, IMMIGRATE:

'Emigrate' means 'to leave one country to settle in another'. Example: I intend to emigrate from Hong Kong.

'Immigrate' means 'to come to live in a new country'. Example: I intend to immigrate to Canada.

16.  EMINENT, IMMINENT:

A person who is highly regarded is 'eminent'.

An event that will happen soon is 'imminent'.

17.  ENORMOUS, ENORMITY:

'Enormous' means 'huge or massive'

'Enormity' means 'scale or extent'. A heinous or atrocious thing has 'enormity'. Example: the enormity of the crime called for special punishment.

18.  ENVELOP, ENVELOPE:

'Envelop' means 'wrap up, cover, or surround completely

An 'Envelope' with an 'e' is the end is a paper container used to enclose a letter or document.

19.  ETYMOLOGY, ENTOMOLOGY:

'Etymology' is the study of the origins of words.

'Entomology' is the study of insects.

20.  EXCEPTIONABLE, EXCEPTIONAL:

'Exceptionable' means 'open to objection; causing disapproval or offence'.

'Exceptional' means 'not typical' or 'outstanding'.

21.  FARTHER, FURTHER:

'Farther' refers to measurable distance

'Further' deals with matters other than distance, Thus, 'He went further (not farther) into the subject'.

22.  FAWN, FAUN:

A 'Fawn' is 'a young deer', and 'a light brown colour'.

A 'Faun' is a roman deity that is part man, part goat.

23.  FEEL, BELIEVE:

Do not say 'Feel' when you mean 'Believe'. Do not say 'I feel people should act responsibly'. Instead, state 'I believe people should act responsibly'.

You can feel tired, feel happy, or feel angry, but a belief describes your assessment of a proposition.

One way to tell you if you are dealing with true feelings is this test: restate the sentence and substitute the word 'am' for the word 'feel'. If the sentence makes sense, you have isolated a feeling. If not, substitute the word belief. Thus, you could say 'I am tired' or 'I feel tired', but you cannot say 'I am that people should act responsibly'.

24.  FEWER, LESS:

If you can put the concept in numbers, use 'Fewer', Example: She has fewer clothes than I do.

If the concept cannot be quantified, use 'less', Example: 'She has less ambition than I do'.

25.  FLAIR, FLARE:

'Flair' is a 'special talent'

A 'Flare' is a 'bright light'

26.  FLAUNT, FLOUT:

'Flaunt' means 'display ostentatiously'. When you show off something or boast about it, you flaunt it. Example: She flaunts her new clothes to the friends every month.

      'Flout' means 'openly disregard a rule'. When you flout something you show your contempt for it. Example: 'His actions flouted the law'.