Notorious Confusables Flashcards
Abhorrent vs. Aberrant
Abhorrent: disgusting or detestable
Aberrant: unusual, straying from a defined path
Abjure vs. Adjured
Abjure: to avoid/renounce, e.g., He refused to abjure the Catholic faith.
Adjured: to urge or request, to call for, e.g., “I adjure you to tell me the truth.
Accept vs. Except
Accept: to receive, to take on, to believe as truth.
Except: to exclude
Ad vs. Add
Ad: advertisement
Add: to add together
Adverse vs. Averse
Adverse: harmful
Averse: opposed to
Affect vs. Effect
Tip?
Affect: to influence, an emotional expression or response
Effect: a result or outcome, to produce or cause to come into being.
TIP: If there’s “a/an/the” in front of it, it’s an “effect.”
Aide vs. Aid
Aide: a helper person
Aid: to help
Alternate vs. Alternative
Alternate: a substitute, to take turns, to swap
Alternative: another option
Ally vs. Alley
Ally: an alliance
Alley: a narrow street
Amoral vs. Immoral
Amoral: showing no concern for morals
Immoral: differentiating between right and wrong but intentionally doing wrong anyway
Amused vs. Bemused
Amused: entertained
Bemused: confused
Anecdote vs. Antidote
Anecdote: a story
Antidote: a cure
Appraise vs. Apprise
Appraise: to value
Apprise: to explain
Afflict vs. Inflict
Afflict: to trouble
Inflict: to cause
Allot vs. A Lot
Allot: to divvy up or set aside
A Lot: a large amount
Allude vs. Elude
Allude: to refer to or indicate
Elude: to escape
Allusion vs. Illusion vs. Delusion
Allusion: a reference to something
Illusion: a trick
Delusion: an idea that has no basis in reality
Alright vs. All Right
Which is correct?
Style Tip?
Both are technically acceptable.
Style Tip: “All right” is the preferred spelling for formal writing, as well as for the AP and Chicago Manual.
Alter vs. Altar
Alter: to change
Altar: (church)
Altogether vs. All Together
Tip:
Altogether: completely, all things considered, or on the whole
All Together: everyone or everything together
Tip: “Altogether” is an adverb.
Amiable vs. Amicable
Amiable: describes people who are friendly and sociable
Amicable: describes friendly/civil relations and interactions
Ascent vs. Assent
Ascent: a steep climb
Assent: to agree
Assume vs. Presume
Assume: to take over or take on, to believe something without proof
Presume: to believe something based on experience or probability
Aver vs. Avow
Aver: to verify, to confirm the truth
Avow: to announce a truth to the world
A While vs. Awhile
Tip?
“Awhile” is an adverb that means “for a while.” It is typically used to modify a verb, e.g., I’m going to sit and read awhile.
“A while” is a noun meaning “a period of time.” It is typically used after a preposition, e.g., I’m going to read for a while longer.)
TIP: Always use two words when the phrase follows a preposition (e.g., for).
Backwards vs. Backward:
Style Tip?
“Backward” can be either an adverb or an adjective; “backwards” can be only an adverb, e.g., The economy seemed to slide backwards thanks to the backward government policies.
Both Chicago Manual and AP Style drop the “s” in all cases. (“backward,” “forward,” “upward,” “downward,” and “toward”)
Basis vs. Bases
Which is typically used with the following phrases:
“On a regular ______.”
“On the ______ of”
“ ON a scientific ______.”?
These words have shared meaning.
Basis: the fundamental material on which something is founded, or the logic of or justification for an idea; a fundamental principle; or a basic unit.
“Bases” is the plural form of “basis.”
E.g., the basis of a theory vs. the bases of these theories.
It is also the plural of “base.”
E.g., All four bases were attacked at once.
E.g., Logs were used as bed rests and table bases.
Phrase Usage: On the basis of; Scientific basis; on a regular basis
Bare (5) vs. Bear (7)
(Hold Pet Cat)
Bare: naked/empty/stark/to expose/to confess
Bear: to hold in mind, to produce,to exhibit, e.g., bear a likeness to/ to tolerate/to carry/(animal)/ to take on
Biannual vs. Semiannual vs. Biennial
Style Tip?
“Biannual” and “semiannual” both mean “twice a year.”
“Biennial” means “once every two years” or “every other year.” E.g., The state legislature meets biennially.
Tip: Chicago Manual recommends using “semiannual” instead of “biannual.” AP has no preference.
Bizarre vs. Bazaar
Bizarre: weird
Bazaar: market
Bored vs. Board
Bored: uninterested, past tense: bore
Board: (wood) or advisory council
Bore (7) vs. Boar
(sitt cat)
Bore: supported/carried/assumed/tolerated/tire of/an insult/tunneled
Boar: a male pig
Border vs. Boarder
Border: an edge or boundary
Boarder: a lodger
Brake (2) vs. Break (8)
Brake: a constraint/ to decelerate, to try to stop, e.g., hit the brakes
Break: to stop/to pause/a rest, to destroy/to fail/a fracture/ to decipher/an opportunity
Breech vs. Breach
Breech: backside or rear
Breach: a break/rift, e.g., breach of ethics
Breath vs. Breathe
Breath: noun
Breathe: verb
Bridal vs. Bridle
Bridal: (weddings)
Bridle: (horse paraphernalia)
Broach vs. Brooch
Broach: to bring up
Brooch: a decorative pin
Callous vs. Callus
Callous: cold/heartless
Callus: hard skin
Calvary vs. Cavalry
Calvary: the place of Crucifixion
Cavalry: horse-mounted troops
Cannon vs. Canon
Cannon: heavy gun(s)
Canon: a set of rules or laws
Cannot vs. Can Not:
Which is correct?
Exceptions?
Use “cannot” in formal writing.
EXCEPTIONS: “can not only but also” phrases, and cases where the subject has the option to not do something. E.g., You can go to the store, or you can not go to the store. Your choice.
Canvas vs. Canvass
Canvas: (material)
Canvass: to campaign
Capital vs. Capitol
Capital: (state capital, money, most serious or important, uppercase)
Capitol: (building)
Carat vs. Carrot vs. Caret
Carat: diamond size
Carrot: (vegetable)
Caret: (typeface ^)
Censured vs. Censored
Censured: scolded/criticized
Censored: cut/edited/banned
Censor vs. Censer vs. Sensor
Censor: to cut out or edit info, a person who cuts out or edits info
Censer: a dish for holding incense Sensor: a detection device
Chord vs. Cord
Chord: (musical)
Cord: a thick string
Click vs. Clique
Click: noise or action
Clique: a group
Climactic vs. Climatic
Climactic: (climactic moment)
Climatic: associated with climate
Clothes vs. Cloths
Clothes: (shirt, dress, etc.)
Cloths: material or rags
Coarse vs. Course
Coarse: rough
Course: route/program/direction
Complimented vs. Complemented
Complimented: gave a compliment
Complemented: matched
Compose vs. Comprise
Compose: to create, to make up a whole
Comprise: to be made up of, contain, or include
E.g., Dogs and cats compose the shelter, which is comprised of these popular pets.
Conceded vs. Conceited
Conceded: gave up
Conceited: vain
Concurrent vs. Consecutive
Concurrent: at the same time
Consecutive: one after another
Confident vs. Confidant(e)
Style tip?
Confident: feeling good about oneself or one’s abilities, certainty
Confidant(e): a person you trust or tell secrets to
Style Tip: AP drops the “e,” Chicago does not require it and only uses it if the person is female.
Conscious vs. Conscience
Conscious: aware
Conscience: internal morality
Contemptible vs. Contemptuous
Contemptible: worthy of contempt
Contemptuous: someone or something that is full of contempt
Continual vs. Continuous
Continual: starting and stopping
Continuous: never-ending
Convince vs. Persuade
Convince: to cause someone to believe something
Persuade: to cause someone to act
E.g., My mother will convince him that she is right. She will persuade him to keep working.
Correlation vs. Corollary
Correlation: a relationship or connection – but not a cause-and-effect relationship
Corollary: a consequence, a cause-and-effect relationship
Counsel vs. Council
Counsel: advice/to advise
Council: Advisory board
Creditable vs. Credible vs. Credulous
Creditable: admirable
Credible: believable
Credulous: gullible
Criterion vs. Criteria
Criterion: (single)
Criteria: (plural)
Definitely vs. Definitively
Definitely: unmistakable, without doubt
Definitively: official and conclusive, e.g., I definitely want to go to the party, but my mother gave the idea a definitive no.
Demure vs. Demur
Demure: modest/prim
Demur: to object
Denotes vs. Connotes
Denotes: to define exactly
Connotes: to imply a meaning
E.g., The word “guts” denote one’s viscera and one’s intestines, but it also connotes determination, fortitude, persistence, and courage.
Desert vs. Dessert
Desert: a dry, arid climate
Dessert: a sweet treat
Didactic vs. Pedantic
Didactic: an attempt to teach a lesson, especially a moral lesson
Pedantic: an attempt to show off disguised as teaching.
Die vs. Dye
Die: (death)
Dye: to color
Disassemble vs. Dissemble
Disassemble: to take apart
Dissemble: to put on a false appearance, to conceal feelings or facts
Disconcerting vs. Disconcerning vs. Discerning
Disconcerting: disturbing, upsetting
Disconcerning: not a word!!!
Discerning: having or showing good taste or judgment
Discomfited vs. Discomfort
Discomfited: disturbed/uncomfortable/embarrassed
Discomfort: uneasiness/pain
Discreet vs. Discrete
Discreet: secret
Discrete: separate
Disillusion vs. Dissolution
Disillusion: to rid someone of an illusion, or to have had an illusion dashed.
Dissolution: a breaking apart, e.g., the dissolution of marriage
Disperse vs. Disburse
Disperse: to scatter
Disburse: to pay
Dissent vs. Descent vs. Decent
Dissent: objection
Descent: slope/drop/pedigree
Decent: reasonable/right
Elicit vs. Illicit
Elicit: to provoke or extract
Illicit: illegal
Elusive vs. Illusive
Elusive: difficult to capture or understand
Illusive: something that is not real, even if it seems to be
Eminent vs. Imminent vs. Immanent
Eminent: prominent/important
Imminent: immediate
Immanent: inherent, omnipresent, knowable, perceivable or graspable
Enormousness vs. Enormity
Style Tip?
Enormousness: grandness/greatness/vastness
Enormity: atrociousness, monstrousness, usually has a negative connotation
Style Tip: Enormity is also used to refer to size, but this use is discouraged in formal writing and not acceptable under AP or Chicago style.
Entitle vs. Title
Style Tip?
Entitle: to give someone a rank or right, SOMETIMES used to describe the name of a composition
Title: the name of a composition, to name a composition)
Style Tip: AP never uses “entitled” to describe the name of a composition. Chicago Manual allows it but cautions against its overuse.
Endemic vs. Epidemic vs. Pandemic
Endemic: found in a certain geographic region or in a specific race of people
Epidemic: a disease that is widespread
Pandemic: a global epidemic
Ensure vs. Insure vs. Assure
Ensure: to make sure
Insure: to protect against
Assure: to remove doubt, or confidently tell someone about something
Epigram vs. Epigraph vs. Epitaph
Epigram: a witticism
Epigraph: something written above text or a doorway
Epitaph: a tombstone inscription
Especially vs. Specially:
Usage?
Use “especially” when you mean “very,” “extremely,” or “particularly.”
E.g., The food was not especially good.
E.g., She hated vegetables, especially peas.
Use “specially” when you mean “in a special manner.
E.g., I don’t want to be treated specially.
Both especially and specially are acceptable when you are referring to a special person or reason.
E.g., The speech was written especially/specially for the occasion.
E.g., The sweater was made especially/specially for her.
Everyday vs. Every Day
Everyday: (adjective)
Every day: (adverb)
E.g., We use our everyday dishes every day.
Exorcise vs. Exercise
Exorcise: to cast out evil
Exercise: physical activity
Exulted vs. Exalted
Exulted: rejoiced
Exalted: high/promoted/praised, e.g., exalted one
Expedient vs. Expeditious
Expedient: convenient
Expeditious: speedy
Explicit vs. Implicit
Explicit: clear/precise
Implicit: understood/implied
Extemporaneous vs. Impromptu
Extemporaneous: prepared but delivered without notes
Impromptu: completely unprepared
Extent vs. Extant
Extent: degree/size
Extant: existing/present, e.g., The original manuscript is no longer extant.
Facetious vs. Factious vs. Fractious vs. Fatuous
Facetious: joking
Factious: characterized by dissent and internal disputes. Likely to break apart into factions.
Fractious: irritable, quarrelsome, ill-tempered.
Fatuous: silly, foolish
Faint vs. Feint
Faint: light, weak, to pass out
Feint: a fake-out, a trick
Farther vs. Further:
Tip?
Common Mistake?
Farther: Physical distance
Further: To a greater extent, an extension of time or degree.
TIP: Beware of phrases that could technically be both; rewrite to avoid confusion. e.g.,
Common Mistake: Nothing could be further (not farther) from the truth. (Figurative distance.)
Faze vs. Phase
Faze: to disturb, bother, or embarrass
Phase: a step or stage
Ferment vs. Foment
Ferment: to cause a chemical change to food or drink, to stir up excitement Foment: to stir up trouble, always has a negative connotation
Fewer vs. Less
Fewer: refers to things that are counted
Less: refers to a quantity of things that are measured
E.g., “fewer choices” and “fewer problems” vs. “less time” and “less effort.” (Fewer dollars and less money)
Fictional vs. Fictitious vs. Fictive
Fictional: an invented reality
Fictitious: made up in an attempt to trick others, e.g., a fictitious identity
Fictive: a specific thing created by the imagination, e.g., a fictive audience made up of teddy bears
Flout vs. Flaunt
Flout: to disobey, scoff at, e.g., flout the law
Flaunt: to show off
Flu vs. flue
Flu: (virus)
Flue: (vent)
Flounder vs. Founder
Flounder: to struggle/stagger/hesitate
Founder: a creator/ to sink or completely fail.
Formerly vs. Formally
Formerly: before
Formally: formal
Gambit vs. Gamut
Gambit: a strategic move where one sacrifices something up front for future gain
Gamut: a range from one extreme to the other
Gibe vs. Jibe vs. Jive
Gibe: jeer/joke/tease
Jibe: to be in agreement
Jive: jazz reference, loose talk
Grisly vs. Grizzly
Grisly: gruesome
Grizzly: grey-haired/(bear)
Guerilla vs. Gorillas
Guerilla: (soldier. warfare)
Gorillas: (jungle)
Hale vs. Hail
Hale: sturdy and healthy
Hail: icy precipitation, to call attention to, to greet enthusiastically, to hail from
Hanged vs. Hung
Hanged: by the neck
Hung: on the wall
Hangers vs. Hangars
Hangers: (clothes)
Hangars: (planes)
Hardy vs. Hearty
Hardy: daring, courageous, and capable of surviving difficult conditions, e.g., a hardy species.
Hearty: showing warm and heartfelt affection or providing abundant nourishment, e.g., a hearty greeting, a hearty soup.
Heal vs. Heel
Heal: to cure/mend/recover
Heel: (foot)/an insult/to re-sole a shoe
Heroine vs. Heroin
Heroine: female hero
Heroin: (drug)
Historic vs. Historical
Historic: having great importance to human history, e.g., a historic achievement
Historical: describes something that is from or happened in the past, e.g., historical records.
Homophone vs. Homograph vs. Homonym
Homophone: a word that sounds the same as another word but has a different meaning and sometimes spelling. E.g., to/too/two.
Homograph: a word that has the same spelling as another word but has a different sound and a different meaning, e.g., “lead” (leader) and “lead” (metal).
Homonym: a word that is both a homophone and a homograph, or, in more casual use, can be used as a synonym for either.
Hordes vs. hoard
Hordes: (of people)
Hoard: (money, supplies)
i.e. vs. e.g.
“i.e.” is a shortening of the Latin expression id est, or “that is.” It is used to introduce a rephrasing or elaboration of something. Think of it as meaning “in essence.”
“e.g.,” is an abbreviation of the Latin expression exempli gratia, meaning “for example.” Think of it as meaning “example given.”
Immigrate vs. Emigrate vs. Migrate
Immigrate: to arrive in a new country
Emigrate: to leave a country
Migrate: to move from one place to another
Incidence vs. Incidents
Incidence: frequency, e.g., incidence of theft
Incidents: events/confrontations, e.g., a violent incident
Incipient vs. Insipid
Incipient: embryonic/emerging
Insipid: dull/bland
Incite vs. Insight
Incite: provoke
Insight: vision/awareness/perception
Incredible vs. Incredulous
Incredible: astonishing/unbelievable
Incredulous: skeptical
Indeterminable vs. Indeterminate
Indeterminable: impossible to determine
Indeterminate: undecided, vague
Indite vs. Indict
Indite: to compose, e.g., indite a letter
Indict: to accuse/charge with a crime
Inflammable vs. Flammable vs. Nonflammable
Style Tip?
Inflammable/Flammable mean the same thing: apt to ignite
Nonflammable: won’t ignite
Style Tip: Both Chicago Manual and AP prefer “Flammable.”
Ingenuous vs. Ingenue vs. Ingenious
Ingenuous: innocent/frank
Ingenue: an innocent young woman
Ingenious: clever
Insidious vs. invidious
Insidious: sinister
Invidious: unpleasant/unenviable
Invoked vs. Evoked: Explain the difference.
Invoke is active and direct, and it can have a material effect; Evoke is passive and indirect, and it usually has an emotional or intellectual effect.
E.g., If we would like to invoke the spirit of Mozart, then we might literally summon his spirit into being or at least mention his name to make people understand our meaning. If we would like to evoke the spirit of Mozart, we would need to create or play music that reminds people of Mozart and his style.
Irony vs. Satire vs. Sarcasm
Irony: a gap between reality and expectations, often created for dramatic or humorous effect.
Satire: Making fun of people by imitating their stupidity or flaws.
Sarcasm: insincere speech
Just Deserts or Just Desserts?
Just Deserts: An old-world expression that uses an older noun version of “desert” meaning “deserved reward or punishment.”
Led vs. Lead (7)
Led: past tense: directed/guided
Lead: primary /a clue/the frontrunner/a leash/to direct/to guide/metal
Liable vs. Libel
Liable: accountable for/prone to
Libel: to defame
Lightning vs. Lightening
Lightning: (storm)
Lightening: (of a load)
Loath vs. Loathe
Loath: disinclined
Loathe: to hate
Lose vs. Loose
Lose: to misplace
Loose: unattached
Luxuriant vs. Luxurious
Luxuriant: lush, abundant, rich
Luxurious: comfortable
E.g., A luxuriant tropical garden was planted on the grounds of the most luxurious hotel in town.
Mantle vs. Mantel
Mantle: a coat, cape, or covering, a layer of the Earth’s interior, a figurative reference to power or authority, e.g., picking up the mantle.
Mantel: ledge over a fireplace
Martial vs. Marital
Martial: (arts)
Marital: (bed)
Medal vs. Meddle
Medal: an award
Meddle: to interfere
Metal vs. Mettle
Metal: (steel)
Mettle: courage
Moral vs. Morale
Moral: a lesson
Morale: spirits, e.g., military
Morbid vs. Moribund
Morbid: dark
Moribund: dying/ineffective
Naval vs. Navel
Naval: (officer)
Navel: (bellybutton)
Nauseated vs. Nauseous
Nauseated: to feel sick, e.g., I feel nauseated
Nauseous: causes others to feel sick, e.g., a nauseous gas
Oral vs. Aural
Oral: Related to the mouth
Aural: related to the ear
Pale vs. Pail
Pale: light/pallid/faint/diminish/blanch/fade/pale in comparison
Pail (bucket)
Palette vs. Palate vs. Pallet
Palette: (painting)
Palate: (mouth)
Pallet: a bed or carrying device
Parameter vs. Perimeter
Parameter: a limit, factor, property, or characteristic of something
Perimeter: the border of an enclosed space
Parody vs. Parity
Parody: a spoof
Parity: equality
Patience vs. Patients
Patience: ability to wait
Patients: sick or injured people
Peak vs. Peek vs. Pique
Peak: (mountain)
Peek: (peek-a-boo)
Pique: temper/ to irritate/ to interest
Peddle vs. Pedal
Peddle: to sell
Pedal: (bike)
Persecute vs. Prosecute
Persecute: to make someone suffer or to keep them in bad circumstances
Prosecute: to participate in or pursue something to completion, a legal term
Pitiless vs. Pitiable vs. Pitiful vs. Piteous
Pitiless: cruel, lacking compassion
Pitiable: deserving of pity, scornfully small or poor – often said with compassion, e.g., a pitiable shack.
Pitiful: deserving of pity, scornfully small or poor – often said in contempt, e.g., what a pitiful spread
Piteous: deserving of pity, for archaic or poetic use
Pole vs. Poll
Pole: (flag pole), (North Pole), to push with a pole
Poll: election/survey
Poring/Pore vs. Pouring/Pour
Poring/Pore: focusing/studying
Pouring /Pour: (coffee)
Practical vs. Practicable
Practical: sensible
Practicable: possible
Pray vs. Prey
Pray: (to God)
Prey: (hunting)
Predominantly vs. Predominately
Style Tip?
Same meaning: mostly/mainly
Style Tip: AP and Chicago Manual prefer “Predominantly.”
Predominate vs. Predominant
Predominate: VERB, to prevail, to have greater importance or quantity
Predominant: ADJ. most common, greatest importance or influence
Precede vs. Proceed
Precede: to come before
Proceed: to continue or move forward
Pretentious vs. Portentous
Pretentious: fake, conceited, showy
Portentous: a bad omen, can also mean someone who is trying to appear important – overlapping with pretentious
Principal vs. Principle
Principal: primary/chief
Principle: rule/value
Pragmatic vs. Dogmatic
Pragmatic: practical
Dogmatic: characterized by or given to the expression of opinions as if they were facts
Precedents vs. Precedence
Precedents: Incidents that occurred previously and may now be used as a guide or example, e.g., court precedents.
Precedence: Having priority
Premier vs. Premiere
Premier: best/national leader
Premiere: performance, film
Prescribe vs. Proscribe
Prescribe: to recommend
Proscribe: to forbid
Proceed vs. Precede
Proceed: begin or continue
Precede: to come before
Prophesy vs. Prophecy
Common Mistake?
Prophesy: (verb)
Prophecy: (noun )
E.g., Prophets can prophesy a prophecy.
Common Mistake: The word “prophesized” does not exist. The correct word is “prophesied.”
Prostate vs. Prostrate
Prostate: male gland
Prostrate: to lie down
Quote vs. Quotation
Tip?
Quote: verb, to transcribe what someone said or wrote, crediting that person
Quotation: noun, the exact words of someone else
Tip: “Quote” is sometimes used as shorthand for “quotation,” but not in formal writing.
Racquet vs. Racket
Racquet: (tennis)
Racket: noise/scam
Raise vs. Rear
Raise: to lift up
Rear: (children)
Raise vs. Raze
Raise: to lift up
Raze: to destroy
Raise vs. Rise
Related words:
Raise: transitive verb (must have a direct object)
Rise: intransitive verb (no direct object needed)
E.g., Something raises something. Something rises.
Rebut vs. Refute
Rebut: to try to prove something isn’t true
Refute: to actually prove it isn’t
Regard vs. Regards
Regard: related, in regard to
Regards: a salutation
Regrettably vs. Regretfully
Regrettably: unfortunate, unlucky – sad, but not your fault, e.g., regrettably, it rained on the big day.
Regretfully: filling you with regret – sad, but intentional, e.g., I must regretfully decline your invitation.
Reign vs. Rein
Reign: to rule
Rein: to control, horse paraphernalia
Reticent vs. Reluctant
Reticent: reserved, discreet, restrained
Reluctant: unwilling/hesitant
Right vs. Write vs. Rite
Right: correct, direction, entitlement
Write: to compose
Rite: religious act
Role vs. Roll
Role: a part or position
Roll: (bread, roll call, ball)
Sac vs. Sack
Sac: (biological), e.g., egg sac
Sack: (bag)
Scald vs. Scold
Scald: to burn
Scold: to criticize
Scrimp vs. Skimp
Scrimp: to be thrifty; to save slowly and with difficulty, e.g., she scrimped all month to buy tickets
Skimp: to give or use barely enough, e.g., To keep the cost of her salads down, she skimped on tomatoes.
Sensuous vs. Sensual
Sensuous: luxurious
Sensual: sexual
Sheer vs. Shear
Sheer: pure/translucent/steep/plain)
Shear: fleece/shave/(wind shear)
Site vs. Sight vs. Cite
Site: website/location
Sight: eyesight, something viewed
Cite: reference
Slight vs. Sleight
Slight: little and light, a snub or insult
Sleight: slyness, sneakiness, e.g., a sleight of hand
Stationery vs. Stationary
Stationery: paper
Stationary: still
Statute vs. Stature vs. Statue
Statute: law
Stature: build/importance
Statue: sculpture
Taut vs. Taught
Taut: tight
Taught: teach
Than vs. Then
Than: compares
Then: next
That vs. Which: Explain the difference.
Tip?
Use “that” for essential clauses, important to the meaning of a sentence, and without commas, e.g., I remember the day that we met.
Use “which” for nonessential clauses, where the clause is less necessary, and use commas, e.g., The team, which finished last a year ago, is in first place.
TIP: If you can drop the clause and not lose the meaning of the sentence, use “which;” otherwise, use “that.” A “which” clause is surrounded by commas; no commas are used with “that” clauses.)
Threw vs. Through vs. Thorough
Threw: tossed
Through: (the window)
Thorough: careful and complete
Torturous vs. Tortuous
Torturous: agonizing
Tortuous: twisting/devious
Toward vs. Towards
Style Tip?
Toward: preferred spelling in the United States and Canada
Towards: preferred spelling in the UK
Style Tip: AP and Chicago only accept “toward.”
Troop vs. Troupe
Troop: a group of soldiers
Troupe: a group of performers
Trooper vs. Trouper
Trooper: cop
Trouper: playactor
E.g., The Trooper was a real Trouper.
Turgid vs.Turbid vs. Torpid
Turgid: pompous/pretentious/dull
Turbid: muddy/confused
Torpid: idle, lazy, and sleepy
Unconscionable vs. Unconscious
Unconscionable: unthinkable
Unconscious: unaware
Undo vs. Undue
Undo: to unfasten, reverse progress, to upset another person or cause them to fail
Undue: extreme, excessive, e.g., undue force
Unexceptionable vs. Unexceptional
Unexceptionable: beyond reproach
Unexceptional: nondescript/typical
Uninterested vs. Disinterested
Point of interest?
Style Tip?
Uninterested: not interested
Disinterested: unbiased
Point of Interest: Both words are technically acceptable terms for “not interested,” but in modern usage, disinterested is most often used to denote a lack of bias.
Style Tip: Both AP and Chicago Manual reserve the word “disinterested” as a synonym for “unbiased” only.
Vain vs. Vane vs. Vein
Vain: futile/hollow/conceited
Vane: (weather vane)
Vein: (blood)
Venal vs. Venial
Venal: corruptible/corrupt, e.g., That judge is known for being venal and easily bought
Venial: forgivable/minor, e.g., venial sin
Voracious vs. Veracious
Voracious: hungry
Veracious: truthful
Waist vs. Waste
Waist: (belly)
Waste: to squander/trash
Waver vs. Waiver
Waver: to be indecisive, falter, or hesitate
Waiver: a permissive form relinquishing certain rights.
Weather vs. Whether vs. Wether
Weather: outside conditions
Whether: (or not)
Wether: a castrated sheep
Wreak vs. Reek vs. Wreck
Wreak: to inflict, e.g., wreak havoc
Reek: strong unpleasant odor
Wreck: to destroy, or something that has been destroyed, e.g shipwreck
Wringing vs. Ringing
Wringing: squeezing, drenched, e.g., wringing wet
Ringing: noise, encircling, calling
Yolk vs. Yoke
Yolk: (egg)
Yoke: a harness
Ingenuine vs. Disingenuous
Ingenuine: Not genuine; not used formally
Disingenuous: insincere, not genuine
Duel vs. Dual
Duel: fight
Dual: double
Past vs. Last
Past: refers to time
Last: refers to order
E.g., His income soared the past three years—not “last.” vs. I loved his last book!
Ability vs. Capability vs. Capacity
Ability: a physical or mental skill or the power to achieve something.
Capability: refers more generally to power or ability, or being able to use or be used in a certain way,e.g., long-range capability.
Capacity: ability to hold or contain something
About vs. Approximately: Which is preferred?
Tip?
Exception?
When possible, use “about” instead of “approximately.”
TIP: Avoid coupling with other words of approximation, such as “guess” or “estimate.”
EXCEPTION: “Approximately” is preferred in scientific reference.
Accord vs. Accordance
Accord: agreement
Accordance: conformity, e.g., “in accordance with”
Addicted vs. Dependent
One is physically addicted to something but psychologically dependent on something.
Adduce vs. Deduce vs. Induce
Adduce: to give as a reason, to offer as proof, or as an example, e.g., as evidence of reliability, she adduced her four years of steady volunteer work as a nurse’s aide
Deduce: to draw a specific conclusion from general principles
Induce: to form a general principle based on specific observations, e.g., After years of studying ravens, the researchers induced a few of their social habits
Adequate vs. Sufficient
Adequate: the suitability of something in a particular circumstance, e.g. an adequate excuse
Sufficient: enough to meet a need, used specifically with mass nouns, plurals, and abstract concepts, e.g., sufficient information)
Adherence vs. Adhesion
Adherence: figurative, to “stick” to a rule
Adhesion: to literally stick to something.
E.g., Your adherence to the transportation code requires the adhesion of an inspection sticker to your windshield
Admission vs. Admittance
Admission: figurative, to be granted the rights and privileges of entry
Admittance: physical entry, e.g., no admittance beyond this point
Already vs. All Ready
Already: refers to time, e.g., it’s bedtime already)
All Ready: refers to preparedness (E.g.,is everyone prepared?)
Amend vs. Emend
Amend: to change or add to, e.g., the city amended its charter
Emend: to correct text, e.g., he emended several typos)
Amount vs. Number
Use “amount” for things that cannot be counted and “number” for things that can be counted.
Assault vs. Battery
Assault: a threat that causes someone to reasonably fear physical violence
Battery: violent and intentional physical contact with another person.
Assemblage vs. Assembly
Assemblage: an informal collection of people or things
Assembly: a group of people organized for a purpose.
Auger vs. Augur
Auger: a tool for boring
Augur: a seer, to foretell
Avenge/Vengeance vs. Revenge
Avenge/Vengeance: to punish/punishment for a specific wrong
Revenge: the infliction of harm on another out of anger or resentment
Avocation vs. Vocation
Avocation: hobby
Vocation: profession
Bacteria vs. Bacterium
Bacteria: plural
Bacterium: singular
Bale vs. Bail
Bale: a bundle, to bundle, e.g., a bale of hay
Bail: to scoop out water, to leave quickly or escape, to post security, e.g., to post bail.
Beneficence vs. Benevolence
Benevolence: the attribute of being disposed to doing good, applies most often to people, e.g., They praised the priest’s benevolence.
Beneficence: the act of performing a good deed, e.g., The beneficence of one man.
Between vs. Among vs. Amid
Exception?
Tip?
Between: indicates one-to-one relationships, e.g., between you and me.
Among: indicates undefined or collective relationships, e.g., honor among thieves, also used with plurals of nouns that can be counted, e.g., among the children
Amid: used with mass nouns, e.g., amid talk of war
EXCEPTION: “Between” is perfectly appropriate for more than two objects if multiple one-to-one relationships are understood from the context, e.g., trade between members of the European Union
Tip: Avoid “amidst” and “amongst”.
Beside vs. Besides
Beside: at the side of
Besides: in addition to
Blatant vs. Flagrant
Blatant: plain for all to see, e.g., a blatant error
Flagrant: brazen and open, e.g., a flagrant insult
Born vs. Borne
Born: to be born, a born ruler
Borne: the past participle of “bear,” also used to form compound terms in the sciences, e.g., foodborne, vector-borne
Bring vs. Take: Tip?
Bring vs. Take: Ask yourself: where is the action directed? If it’s toward you, use “bring,” e.g., bring home the bacon. If it’s away from you, use “take,” e.g., take out the trash.
Childish vs. Childlike
Childish: negative connotation, connotes immaturity and unreasonableness, e.g., childish ranting
Childlike: positive connotation, connotes innocence, mildness, and freshness, e.g., a childlike smile
Collaborate vs. Corroborate
Collaborate: to work together
Corroborate: to back up with proof or evidence
Collegial vs. Collegiate
Collegial: describes a relationship with a colleague
Collegiate: describes a relationship to college
Common vs. Mutual
Tip?
Common: shared by two or more people
Mutual: reciprocal, e.g., mutual obligations
Tip: “friend in common” is preferred to “mutual friend”
Compelled vs. Impelled
Compelled: forced
Impelled: convinced of something’s necessity
Complacent vs. Complaisant vs. Compliant
Complacent: to be content with oneself and one’s life and unprepared for it to change
Complaisant: to be easygoing and eager to please
Compliant: obedient
Condole vs. Console
Condole: to verbally express sympathy
Console: to comfort
Contagious vs. Infectious
Tip?
Contagious: spreads by direct contact with an infected person or animal
Infectious: spread by germs on a contaminated object
Tip: In nonliteral usage, the terms are interchangeable
Contravene vs. Controvert
Contravene: to conflict with or violate
Controvert: to challenge or contradict
Corporal vs. Corporeal
Corporal: relates to the body, e.g., corporal punishment
Corporeal: has a body, e.g., not our spiritual but our corporeal existence
Counselor vs. Councilor
Counselor: a person who gives advice
Councilor: one who sits on a council
Crevice vs. Crevasse: Explain the difference.
A matter of size. A crack in the sidewalk is a “crevice”; a fissure in a glacier or a dam is a “crevasse.”
Derisive vs. Derisory
Derisive: ridiculing, e.g., derisive laughter
Derisory: deserving of ridicule, e.g., a derisory hat
Discriminating vs. Discriminatory
Discriminating: distinguishing, discerning
Discriminatory: reflecting a biased treatment, e.g., a discriminatory employment policy
Eager vs. Anxious
Eager: excited, enthusiastic
Anxious: denotes uneasiness
NOTE: Anxious has a negative connotation. Don’t use it in place of “eager,” e.g., I’m anxious to meet him.
Effrontery vs. Affront
Effrontery: an act of shameless impudence or audacity
Affront: a deliberate insult
Enervate vs. Innervate
Enervate: to weaken or drain energy
Innervate: to stimulate or provide energy
Enumerable vs. Innumerable
Enumerable: countable
Innumerable: can’t be counted, at least not practically
Forbear vs. Forebear
Forbear: to refrain
Forebear: an ancestor
Forego vs. Forgo
Forego: to go before
Forgo: to do without or renounce
Fortuitous vs. Fortunate
Fortuitous: by chance
Fortunate: by good fortune
Guild vs. Gild
Guild: an organization of persons with a common interest or profession
Gild: to gild is to put a thin layer of gold on something
Imply vs. Infer
Imply: to hint or suggest
Infer: to deduce
Innate vs. Inherent
Innate: a characteristic that a living thing has from birth
Inherent: a characteristic that is part of a thing’s nature, but life is not implied, e.g., the rock’s inherent hardness
Jealousy vs. Envy
Jealousy: resentment toward another
Envy: covetousness of another’s advantages, possessions, or abilities
Leach vs. Leech
Leach: to percolate or to separate out solids in solution by percolation
Leech: a bloodsucking creature
Lease vs. Let
Same meaning with one distinction: Either the owner or the tenant can be said to “lease” property, but only the owner can be said to “let” it.
Malevolent vs. Maleficent
Malevolent: evil in mind, e.g., with malevolent intent
Maleficent: evil in deed, e.g., a maleficent bully
Naturalist vs. Naturist
Naturalist: a person who studies natural history
Naturist: a nature worshiper or a nudist
Obtuse vs. Abstruse
Obtuse: describes a person who can’t understand, dull, dull-witted
Abstruse: describes an idea that is hard to understand, incomprehensible or nearly so
Odious vs. Odorous vs. Odoriferous vs. Malodorous
Odious: hateful
Odorous/Odoriferous: detectable by smell—for better or worse
Malodorous: smelling quite bad
Oppress vs. Repress
Oppress: to persecute or tyrannize
Repress: to restrain or subordinate
Ordinance vs. Ordnance
Ordinance: a regulation or an authoritative decree
Ordnance: military armament, especially artillery but also weapons and ammunition generally
Pertain vs. Appertain
Pertain: to relate to
Appertain: to belong to by right, e.g., rights appertaining to the defendant
Precipitate vs. Precipitous
Precipitate: to cause to happen suddenly, to act or speak in a sudden or rash manner.
Precipitous: dangerously steep
Purposely vs. Purposefully
Purposely: done intentionally
Purposefully: done with a certain goal in mind, e.g., he strode purposefully into the room
Rack vs. Wrack
“Rack” is used in all common usage. “Wrack” refers only to seaweed.
Recur vs. Reoccur
Recur: to happen again and again, to return to one’s attention or memory, e.g., the idea recurred to him throughout the night
Reoccur: to happen again
Refrain vs. Restrain
Refrain: to keep from doing something
Restrain: to stop another from doing something, especially by force
E.g., if you don’t refrain from disorderly conduct, the police will restrain you.
Staunch vs. Stanch
Staunch: ardent and faithful
Stanch: to stop the flow
Subsequent vs. Consequent
Tip?
Subsequent: something that happens after something else
Consequent: something that happens as a result of something that happened before
Tip: The second denotes causation; the first does not.
Systematic vs. Systemic
Systematic: according to a plan or system, organized methodically, or arranged in a system
Systemic: affecting the whole of something
Tantalizing vs. Titillating
Tantalizing: something desired but out of reach
Titillating: something that tickles pleasantly, literally or figuratively—often carries sexual connotations
Plain vs. Plane
Plain: simple, apparent, unadorned, an expanse of lowland
Plane: airplane, flat surface, wood-shaping tool
Formula vs. Formulas vs. Formulae.
Formula: Singular
Formulas: Plural, preferred
Formulae: Plural, less common
Bold vs. Bald
Tip?
Bold: fearless
Bald: simple & blunt (or having no hair)
Tip:
Certain phrases use these words almost interchangeably, e.g. a bold/bald-faced lie.
“Bold statement” and “bald statement” are both acceptable phrases, but they mean slightly different things.
Is the correct expression “chomping at the bit” or “champing at the bit”?
“Champing at the bit”
To chomp is to bite or chew. To champ is to grind.
