Learn English words that are very confusing while using them in sentences. In this lesson, you are going to learn confused and misused English words with their meanings and example sentences also with helpful charts. This lesson is going to clear the problem of English speakers. Learn this lesson and enhance your English vocabulary.
Learn the most commonly confusing or misusing words listed in English with their meanings:
Words
Meanings
Words
Meanings
Accept
Receive
Except
Leave out
Affect
Influence
Effect
Result
Allowed
Permitted
Aloud
Clearly heard
Allude
Make indirect reference
Elude
Escape from something
Ate
Past tense of eat
Eight
The number
Break
Smash, split
Brake
Stopping device
By
Preposition
Buy
Purchase
Capital
City, wealth
Capitol
Building
Coarse
Rough
Course
Way or path
Ensure
Guarantee
Insure
Financial liability
Farther
Physical distance
Further
Abstract idea
For
Preposition
Four
The number
Forth
Forward
Fourth
Comes after third
Hear
Perceive
Here
In this place
Loose
Free
Lose
Misplace
Peace
Absence of war
Piece
Part, portion
Plain
Simple
Plane
Flat surface
Principle
Rule
Principal
Chief person
Quiet
Silent
Quite
Really, positively
Than
Comparison
Then
At that time
To
In the direction of
Too
Also
Weak
Feeble
Week
Seven days
Weather
Atmospheric conditions
Whether
If, in case
Which
What one
Witch
Sorceress
Who
Subject
Whom
Object
Commonly Misused English Words
Misused English Words and Phrases
Able
Capable
Meaning: Having the power or opportunity to do something.
Meaning: Having the power or ability to do a particular thing; gifted.
Example: He is able to run.
Example: Show your teacher what you are capable of.
Accede
Exceed
Meaning: Assent or agree to a request, proposal, etc.
Meaning: To be greater than.
Example: I accede to your proposal.
Example: Their success exceeded all expectations.
Accept
Except
Meaning: Consent to, receive something offered.
Meaning: Exclude from, set apart from a list, to leave out.
Example: Give her a little time to accept the idea.
Example: The stores will be open daily except for Sundays.
Abstain
Refrain
Meaning: Do without; hold oneself back from
Meaning: To hold oneself from; to keep oneself from some action
Example: He is a total abstainer.
Example: Please refrain from spitting in public places.
Most Commonly Misused English Words and Phrases
Adopt
Adapt
Meaning: They were unable to have children of their own, so they decided to adopt.
Meaning: The world will be different, and we will have to be prepared to adapt to the change.
Example: The assembly adopted the new measure.
Example: They adapted themselves to the change quickly.
Accident
Incident
Meaning: Something bad that happens that is not expected or intended and that often damages something or injures someone:
Meaning: An unexpected and usually unpleasant thing that happens.
Example: He was injured in an accident at work.
Example: We just want to put that embarrassing incident behind us.
Affect
Effect
Meaning: The climate affected his health.
Meaning: Impression produced on the mind of a spectator, hearer, reader, etc.
Example: Some plants are quickly affected by the cold.
Example: He has effected great reforms.
Affection
Affectation
Meaning: Love; disease.
Meaning: Pretense
Example: I have a great affection for my students.
Example: It is always easy to distinguish between sincerity and affectation.
Most Commonly Misused English Words
All ready
Already
Meaning: Quite prepared.
Meaning: That time.
Example: I’m all ready to go.
Example: He has already performed the task.
Advice (Noun)
Advise (Verb)
Example: He paid no heed to my advice.
Example: I advise you not to waste your time.
Altar
Alter
Meaning: Raised place on which offerings are made to a god.
Meaning: To change.
Example: Many people sacrificed their lives at the altar of freedom.
Example: I’m sorry I can not alter my decision now.
Alternate
Alternative
Meaning: By turns, first the one and then the other.
Meaning: Scientists are developing an alternative approach to treating the disease.
Example: The doctor sees the patient on alternate days.
Example: He developed an alternative design for the new engine.
Commonly Misused Words and Phrases
Avenge
Revenge
Meaning: To avenge is to obtain satisfaction by punishing the wrongdoer.
Meaning: Retaliate or vindicate.
Example: God avenges the oppressed.
Example: He revenged himself for the insult.
Ascent
Assent
Meaning: Act of climbing up; upward movement.
Meaning: Concurrence.
Example: I have never made an ascent in a balloon.
Example: He gave his assent to the proposal.
Angel
Angel
Example: He is an angel, not a man.
Example: A triangle has three angles.
Example: She is an angel of a girl.
Example: The soldiers were being attacked from every angle.
Ant
Aunt
Example: The aunt was going to drown.
Example: My aunt sent me a birthday present.
Example: Some ants live in trees.
Example: His aunt has three cats.
Confusing Words In English
Air
Heir
Meaning: Birds fly in the air.
Meaning: He is an heir to a large property.
Example: She opened the windows to air the room.
Example: His heirs could inherit millions of dollars.
Avocation
Vocation
Meaning: Hobby, pastime pursued pleasure rather than gain.
Meaning: Profession; occupation.
Example: My favorite avocation is reading.
Example: This isn’t just a job for me; it’s a vocation.
Artist
Artiste
Meaning: A person who practices one of the fine arts (poetry, painting, or sculpture).
Meaning: A professional singer or dancer.
Example: Each poster is signed by the artist.
Example: She was a popular French music hall artiste in the late 19th century.
Opposite
Apposite
Meaning: Standing in front; contrary.
Meaning: Proper, judicious.
Example: My house is situated opposite the post office.
Example: This is a very apposite comparison.
Confusing words and Phrases
We hope these explanations have cleared up any confusion or lingering vocabulary questions you may have. The next time you are unsure of which of these words to use.
