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Commonly Confused Words

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Ketua EE 2021 Andriano
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22 views

Commonly Confused Words

Uploaded by

Ketua EE 2021 Andriano
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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COMMONLY 

CONFUSED
WORDS
Some words look the same, while others sound the same. Knowing the difference
between these similar words can be very tricky. In this handout we have provided some of
the most commonly confused word pairs, with definitions for each and sentences showing
them in context. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it should hopefully help
you begin to recognize the particular differences between different words.
Here are what we consider to be the top ten most confusing word pairs, organized in
alphabetical order:

Affect vs. Effect


Affect is a verb meaning to influence. Effect is a noun meaning result.
While the student didn’t see how studying affected his test-taking, the
positive effects soon became clear.

Lie vs. Lay


Lie is a verb meaning to recline or rest on a surface. Lay is a verb meaning to put or
place.
Kim lies down to take a nap every day at 3:30 p.m. Before falling asleep, Kim lays her
bracelet on the table.

Lose vs. Loose


Lose is a verb meaning to misplace. Loose is an adjective meaning slack, moveable, or
weak.
I always manage to lose my loose-fitting tank top.

One Word vs. Two Word combos


People often confuse similar words that appear as one word, or two words. They are used
in separate contexts, however, and so learning when to use each will improve your
writing’s quality. Examples of one word/two word pairs include altogether vs. all
together; anyway vs. any way; and everyday vs. every day.
Here’s an example of the difference between them:

Anyway vs. Any way


Anyway is an adverb meaning regardless. Any way is a phrase meaning any manner or
method.
I don’t want to go to the party, anyway. We could take any way we want to get to the
party.

Than vs. Then


Than is a conjunction used to compare two things. Then is usually an adverb indicating
time.
Do you think that Pepsi Cola is better than Coca Cola? We went to the store, and then to
a movie.

That vs. Which


That is used when the phrase or clause that follows it is necessary in the
sentence. Which is used when the phrase or clause that follows it is not necessary.
Students that fail to thoroughly proofread often miss unnecessary points. Procrastinated
papers, which students write often, fail to lead to the desired grades for their classes.

Their vs. There vs. They’re


Their is a pronoun that is plural possessive. There is a word that means place. They’re is
a contraction that means they are.
Their dog is over there digging through the trash. They’re not the most responsible pet
owners.

To vs. Too vs. Two


To is a preposition indicating direction. Too is an adverb meaning in addition or
also. Two is a number.
Too many times, students go to their adviser to set up their classes, but only have two of
their five classes picked out.

Who vs. Whom


Who is a pronoun used as the subject of a sentence. Whom is a pronoun used as a direct
object.
Who is responsible for the research on this group project? We assigned research
to whom for this group project?
NOTE: As a general rule, if you can substitute “she” then “who” is the appropriate
choice. If you can substitute “her” then “whom” is the appropriate choice.

Your vs. You’re


Your is a pronoun that is second person possessive. You’re is a contraction that means
you are.
Your clothes will wrinkle if you’re not careful with the drying cycle you choose.
Complement/Compliment A complement is something that completes something else. It’s often used to describe
things that go well together: Chester’s lime green boots were a perfect complement to his jacket. A compliment is a
nice thing to say: Posey received many compliments on her purple fedora.
Farther/Further Farther refers to physical distance: Posey can run farther than Chester. Further refers to
metaphorical distance: Chester is further away from finishing his project than Posey is.

brother: saudara pria Bother: merepotkan


Quite: cukup Quiet: sepi
Replay: memutar ulang Reply: membalas
Massage: pijat Message:pesan
Weather: cuaca Whether: apakah
Food: makana Foot: kaki
Sad: menangis Said:
suite suit
case cache
letter later

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