Commonly Confused Words

[Andy]

Since the English language is derived from all sorts of places, many times words come into existence that sound very similar to other words. Sometimes even their definitions are similar! Even so, they cannot be interchanged. This guide should help you identify the many common ones in existence, and keep their confusion out of your writing.

There are many other cases of similar words that are not listed here. They have been omitted either because both are rarely used, or because one of the two words is almost never used, and knowing it would probably just result in more confusion than benefit.


Affect vs Effect

Affect means “make a difference to”. For example, if your typing is changing the words on your computer screen, then it is affecting those words.

Effect, on the other hand, can be either a noun or a verb. As a noun, it simply means “a result.”The quiet music had an interesting effect on the animals.As a verb, it is a bit more difficult to understand. It means to “bring about” or “accomplish.”“The child’s persistence and hard work effected his victory in the competition.”Amoral vs Immoral

Amoral means “not concerned with morality” or “having no moral standards.” Chocolate candies, for all practical purposes, are amoral.

Immoral means “not conforming to established standards of morality.” Theft and murder are immoral.


Appraise vs Apprise

To appraise means to “assess” or "estimate," as in to appraise the value of a piece of real estate.

Apprise means “to inform.”“The soldier apprised the king of the invaders.”Climactic vs Climatic

Climactic refers to a climax. In most stories, the ending is the most climactic part.

Climatic refers to climate or temperature. Thermometers are climatic.

Just remember, climax and climactic both have a “k” sound after the “ma”. Climate and climatic do not.


Complement vs Compliment

A complement is “something that completes or makes better.”“Your green shoes are a nice complement to your green dress.”A compliment is “an expression of gratitude or praise.”“Your shoes are very pretty” is a compliment.Continuous vs Continual

These are very similar words. Something that is continuous is “uninterrupted.” It refers to a single, long action.“The river’s movement was continuous, never stopping.”Continual, on the other hand, indicates something that happens repeatedly, on numerous separate occasions.“The airlines have been experiencing continual delays lately.”Council vs Counsel
Councillor vs Counselor (Counsellor)

A council is a government body.“In two days, the council will convene again.”Counsel is another term for advice or guidance.“The boy gave his younger brother counsel, having been through the ordeal before.”A councillor is a member of a council. Notice the similar spellings and the “council” located within it.

A counselor (also spelled counsellor in some locations), is a person who gives guidance on personal or psychological problems. Like before, “counsel” is located within this word.


Credible vs Creditable

Credible means “capable of being believed or trusted.”“His story was credible; the detectives could find no flaws with it, and he was present at the crime.”Creditable (think “credit-able”) means “deserving or causing honor or credit”.“Her hard work was creditable; she received a raise.”Defuse vs Diffuse

Defuse means to de-fuse, to remove the fuse from something such as an explosive device. Similarly, it means to reduce the danger or tension in a tense situation. When used without a direct object, it means to grow weaker.“Matt defused the bomb.”“Megan and the rest of the police defused the situation before anyone could get hurt.”“The monster defused, and fighting it became much easier.” Diffuse means to “spread out or scatter.”“The people, after the elevator doors opened, diffused into the much larger space.”Desert vs Dessert

Desert: an arid place, or any place where little life can exist

Dessert: a delicious treat


Egoism vs Egotism

Egotism means “excessive conceit or self-absorption, selfishness” When you think egotism, think about a single person being self-centered.

Egoism (without the “t”) is the belief that self-interest motivate all people’s actions.“Egoism says that a person’s actions, no matter how selfless they may seem, are always done out of self-interest.”Exceptionable vs Exceptional

Exceptionable means “open to debate, causing disapproval or offence.”"Whether or not God exists is an exceptionable topic in most people's minds."Exceptional means “being an exception, uncommon,” or “above average, extraordinary.”"His hard work was exceptional; he was given a raise, too."Farther vs Further

Farther indicates physical advancement in distance. Remember, "far" refers to distance, and so does "farther".He traveled farther through the desert.Further is a much more flexible word. It denotes advancement or progress to a greater degree, such as in a metaphorical sense. It can also be a synonym for "additional".If gas prices rise any further, our economy will be in trouble!

"This is a topic that needs further discussion."Fawn vs Faun

A fawn is a young deer. Fawn is also a light brown color. Fawn!

A faun is a creature that is part man, part goat. (Mr. Tumnus, anyone?)


Forego vs Forgo

Forego means “precede.” Notice it's similar to "beFORE". It is also a less-common spelling for forgo, which means “go without.”"As usual, dinner will forego dessert.""Since we cannot carry much, we will forgo anything that is not absolutely necessary."Its vs It's

Its describes when something possesses something else.“Find the bomb and cut its red cord!”It’s is a contraction for “it is.”“It’s such a beautiful day!”Ordinance vs Ordnance

Ordinance means an authoritative order or regulation."The dictator issued an ordinance that required everyone to give him gifts on a regular basis."Ordnance refers to military material such as guns, combat vehicles, and equipment."Quality of an army's ordnance is one of many things that can affect a battle."Perquisite vs Prerequisite

Perquisite refers to “a special right of privilege enjoyed as a result of one’s position” or “a tip, gratuity.” Think “perk.”

A prerequisite (think: the prefix "pre" means "before") is something that is required as a prior condition for something else.“The prerequisite for taking Calculus II is to complete Calculus I.”Tortuous vs Torturous

Tortuous means “having or marked by repeated turns and bends.”“The river was tortuous; behind every bend was another bend.”Torturous means “of, relating to, or causing pain and suffering.” (torture)


Unsociable vs Unsocial vs Antisocial

Unsociable means “not enjoying the company of others, reserved.”“The unsociable boy had a hard time starting conversations with other people.”Unsocial means “showing a lack of desire for the company of others”“I think he’s unsocial; he’s always moving to the corner with the fewest people.” Antisocial means “shunning or hostile to the company of others or society in general” or “rude.”"'His antisocial behavior lost him many friends, while gaining him many enemies.”

Thanks to seikoXchan for this addition:

Your vs You're

Your means the possessive form of you.You left your book at school.
You're means you are.You're going to get in trouble.

[seikoXchan]

Your vs You're

Your means the possessive form of you.
You left your book at school.
You're means you are.
You're going to get in trouble.

[Nyx]

I didn't honestly read all of that but the ones I read were very useful. Also tiny typo that could be confusing, you might want to fix it:


Climactic vs Climatic

Climactic refers to a climax. In most stories, the ending is the most climatic part.

Climatic refers to climate or temperature. Thermometers are climatic.

Just remember, climax and climactic both have a “k” sound after the “ma”. Climate and climatic do not.

[/INDENT]

[Andy]

Thanks, both of you. Added "you're/your" and fixed the typo. Possibly one of the more devastating typos I've
typed. :doh:

[Nyx]

Haha no problem. You know I'm always here to point out admins' mistakes.:D

[seikoXchan]

Cool, and nice going, Nyx! I would've passed that up. :D

[Andy]

Haha no problem. You know I'm always here to point out admins' mistakes.:D
Evil motives for a good cause. Haha. :rolleyes:

[Shaun]

Someone stole this from a website :P :P :P.

[seikoXchan]

Right and Write

They're, There, and Their

[I have no time to put definitions; sorry... some people STILL misuse these! Sad, isn't it?]