Commonly Confused Words

To receive or to agree to receive something.

E.g. "I will accept your offer."

To exclude or to take out.

E.g. "I will eat all of the cookies except the ones with nuts."

To make suitable or to adjust to a new environment or situation.

E.g. "The plant has adapted to the dry climate."

To choose or to take as one's own.

E.g. "The family decided to adopt a dog from the shelter."

Suggestions or recommendations given to someone about what they should do.

E.g. "I sought advice from my mentor before making the decision."

To give advice or to suggest what someone should do.

E.g. "I advised her to take the job."

To influence or to produce a change in something.

E.g. "The new policy will affect the way we do business."

The result or consequence of something.

E.g. "The effect of the policy was a decrease in profits."

An indirect reference to something.

E.g. "He made an allusion to Shakespeare's plays in his speech."

A false belief or perception.

E.g. "The magician's tricks were an illusion."

An adverb meaning "prior to a specified time."

E.g. "I have already finished my homework."

An adjective phrase meaning "fully prepared."

E.g. "The team is all ready for the game."

An adverb meaning "in any case."

E.g. "I'm tired, but I'll finish the project anyway."

A phrase meaning "in any manner."

E.g. "Can you fix it in any way?"

To estimate the value of something.

E.g. "She can appraise the value of any antique."

To inform someone of something.

E.g. "I will apprise you of any updates."

The act of climbing or rising to a higher level.

E.g. "The mountain climbers are making their ascent up the mountain."

To agree or to give one's approval.

E.g. "She assented to the plan."

To reassure or to guarantee.

E.g. "I assure you that everything will be okay."

To make certain or to guarantee.

E.g. "We must ensure that the project is completed on time."

To provide insurance for.

E.g. "We will insure the car against accidents."

Means confused or bewildered.

E.g. "The tourist was bemused by the intricate streets of the old city and couldn't find her way back to her hotel."

Means entertained or amused.

E.g. "The comedian's jokes had the audience amused for the entire show."

A noun that refers to the air that is inhaled and exhaled during respiration.

E.g. "She took a deep breath to calm her nerves before giving her presentation."

A verb that means to inhale and exhale air.

E.g. "Remember to breathe deeply during your meditation to help relax your body and mind."

A verb that means to quote or refer to a source of information.

E.g. "The scientist cited several studies in her report to support her conclusions."

A noun that refers to the ability to see or the act of seeing.

E.g. "She had excellent sight and could read small print without glasses."

A noun that refers to a location or place.

E.g. "The construction company selected a site for the new office building downtown."

Means relating to a climax or denoting the most intense, decisive, or important point or situation.

E.g. "The movie had a climactic scene where the hero saves the day."

Means relating to the atmosphere or the climate.

E.g. "The climatic conditions in the desert are extreme, with hot days and cold nights."

A noun that means something that completes or enhances something else. It can also be a verb that means to complete or enhance something.

E.g. "The red curtains were the perfect complement to the yellow walls in the room."

A noun that means an expression of praise or admiration. It can also be a verb that means to express praise or admiration.

E.g. "He complimented the chef on the delicious meal."

Means to create, put together, or write or create music.

E.g. "He composed a symphony that was performed by the city's orchestra."

Means to include or consist of.

E.g. "The museum comprises several galleries, a gift shop, and a cafe."

A noun that refers to a group of people who come together to make decisions or to give advice.

E.g. "The city council meets once a month to discuss and vote on local issues."

A noun that refers to advice or guidance or to a person who gives advice or guidance. It can also be a verb that means to give advice or guidance.

E.g. "She sought counsel from a financial advisor before making any major investments."

Is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase "exempli gratia," which means "for example." It is used to introduce examples or illustrations in writing.

E.g. There are many types of fruit trees, e.g., apple, orange, and pear."

Is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase "id est," which means "that is." It is used to clarify or explain something in writing.

E.g. She is allergic to nuts, i.e., she cannot eat anything that contains nuts."

Means to bring out or draw out something, often through questioning or discussion.

E.g. "The detective tried to elicit a confession from the suspect during the interrogation."

Means illegal or against the law.

E.g. "The police discovered an illicit operation in the abandoned warehouse."

Means to leave one's country or place of origin in order to live in another country.

E.g. "He decided to emigrate to Australia to start a new life."

Means to come to a new country or place in order to live there.

E.g. "Many people immigrate to the United States in search of better opportunities."

Means famous or distinguished, or standing out in a particular way. It can also refer to someone who is highly respected or influential.

E.g. "She was an eminent scientist whose research had a major impact on her field."

Means inherent or inherent within something. It can also refer to something present throughout or within all parts of something.

E.g. "The immanent qualities of the object were what made it valuable to collectors."

Means about to happen or likely to happen very soon.

E.g. "The storm was imminent, so we made sure to secure all the windows and doors."

Means the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.

E.g. "She showed great empathy towards her clients, always listening and trying to help them in any way she could."

Means a feeling of pity or compassion for someone who is suffering.

E.g. "He expressed his sympathy for the victims of the natural disaster and donated money to the relief efforts."

Refers to physical distance.

E.g. "The nearest store is about a mile farther down the road."

Refers to an additional or greater degree or extent.

E.g. "We will discuss the matter further at the meeting next week."

Means to burn brightly or suddenly burst into flame.

E.g. "The gas stove flared up when we turned up the knob."

Means a natural talent or aptitude or a distinctive and stylish quality.

E.g. "She has a flair for fashion and always looks impeccably dressed."

Means to show off or display something in an arrogant or ostentatious way.

E.g. "He flaunted his wealth by driving a flashy sports car and wearing expensive clothes."

Means to openly disregard or defy a rule or convention.

E.g. "She flouted the dress code by wearing a short skirt to the formal event."

Means to copy or mimic something or someone.

E.g. "The young actor was praised for her ability to imitate the mannerisms and accent of the character she was playing."

Means to suggest or imply something indirectly.

E.g. "She intimated that she had some important information to share but didn't reveal what it was."

Means clever or original in solving problems or making things.

E.g. "His ingenious solution to the problem impressed everyone in the room."

Means naive, unsophisticated, or frank and candid.

E.g. "He was admired for his ingenuous personality and the way he always spoke his mind."

Is a possessive pronoun that means that something belongs to it.

E.g. "The cat curled up in its favorite spot by the fireplace."

Is a contraction of "it is" or "it has."

E.g. "It's a beautiful day today, isn't it?"

Is an adjective that means not tight or secure.

E.g. "The bolts on the ladder were loose, so I tightened them to make sure it was safe to use."

Is a verb that means to be unable to find something or to fail to win or keep something.

E.g. "I don't want to lose my keys again, so I'm going to put them in a designated spot where I won't forget them."

Is a preposition that shows a relationship between two things or a connection between them.

E.g. "The book is a history of the United States."

Is a preposition that means not on or away from a surface or object.

E.g. "I need to turn the lights off before I go to bed."

Is the past tense of the verb "pass," which means to go by or beyond something.

E.g. "The car passed me on the highway."

Is a noun or adjective that refers to a point or period of time that is earlier than the present.

E.g. "In the past, things were different."

Is a noun that refers to a privilege or benefit that is given in addition to one's regular salary or compensation.

E.g. "One of the perquisites of the job is a company car."

Is a requirement or condition that must be met before something else can happen or be done.

E.g. "One of the prerequisites for applying for this program is a bachelor's degree."

Is a noun that can refer to the head of a school or the main person in charge of something. It can also be an adjective meaning first in rank or importance.

E.g. "The principal of the school greeted the students as they arrived in the morning."

Is a noun that refers to a fundamental rule or belief that guides or influences one's actions.

E.g. "One of the principles of the company is to always prioritize customer satisfaction."

Is a verb that means to lift or move something to a higher position or level. It can also mean to increase or improve something.

E.g. "I need to raise the curtains to let more light into the room."

Is a verb that means to move to a higher position or level, or to increase in quantity or value. It can also be used as a noun to refer to the act of moving upward or the increase in quantity or value.

E.g. "The price of gasoline has risen significantly in the past year."

Is a verb that means to put something in a particular place or position.

E.g. "Can you set the table for dinner?"

Is a verb that means to rest on one's buttocks or haunches, or to cause someone or something to do so.

E.g. "Please sit down and make yourself comfortable."

Refers to something that is not moving or that is fixed in one place.

E.g. "The car was stationary at the traffic lights."

Refers to paper and other office supplies, such as envelopes, pens, and notebooks.

E.g. "I need to buy some new stationery for the office."

Is a conjunction that is used to introduce the second element in a comparison.

E.g. "She is taller than her sister."

Is an adverb that is used to indicate a time or a sequence of events.

E.g. "I will finish my homework, and then I will watch TV."

Is a pronoun that is used to introduce a restrictive clause, which is a clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence.

E.g. "The book that I bought yesterday is really interesting."

Is a pronoun that is used to introduce a nonrestrictive clause, which is a clause that provides additional information but is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

E.g. "My sister, which lives in New York, is coming to visit next week."

Is a possessive pronoun that shows possession or ownership.

E.g. "Is this their car?"

Is an adverb that is used to indicate a place or position.

E.g. "The cat is hiding under the table over there."

Is a contraction of "they are."

E.g. "They’re going to the movies tonight."

Is a preposition that indicates direction or a relationship between two things.

E.g. "She is going to the store."

Is an adverb that means also or in addition.

E.g. "I would like to come too."

Is a contraction of "who is" or "who has."

E.g. "Who's coming to the party?"

Is a possessive pronoun that shows possession or ownership.

E.g. "Whose coat is this?"

Is a possessive pronoun that shows possession or ownership.

E.g. "Is this your car?"

Is a contraction of "you are."

E.g. "You're going to love this movie."