Confusing Pairs of Words | |||||
Many pairs of words sound alike or nearly alike, but each has a different meaning. For example, affect means to influence something, while effect means the result of something. Words like these can be easily confused with each other. You must be careful to use the correct word from a pair of such confusing words when you are writing and speaking. If not, you may express something different than what you mean to express. For example, suppose you are writing about the importance of a good marriage. You write that martial bliss is a wonderful thing. The word martial refers to war. You should have written that marital bliss is a wonderful thing. The word marital refers to marriage. You wouldn't want to embarrass yourself by addressing a letter to the administrator of your school as "Dear Principle." The word principle means a fundamental truth. You should write "Dear Principal." The word principal refers to the head of a school. Here are some word pairs that are commonly confused. Learn the meanings of each of the words so that you use them correctly. Accept - to take something that is given to you Altar - a raised place used in religious services Ascent - to climb Brake - a device for stopping or slowing a vehicle Cite - to document Coarse - rough Complement - something that makes a thing whole or perfect Conscience - a sense of right and wrong ![]() Descent - coming from a higher place to a lower one Desert - a dry, hot, sandy area Device - something made for a certain purpose Elicit - to bring out Eminent - famous or well respected Faint - weak ![]() Forth - forward Here - at or in a place Hoard - to save and store away Hole - an opening through something Loath - reluctant Palate - the roof of the mouth Peace - absence of fighting Plain - clearly seen, heard, or understood Pore - a very small opening in the skin Precede - to come before Shear - to cut the wool off a sheep Stationary - to stand still Waist - the part of the human body between the ribs and the hips Weak - without strength Don't be CONFUSED! Learn the meanings of these words to use them correctly. |