The English language keeps people in quite a pickle when it comes to certain confusing words. That is one reason why we end up mixing their use. Not that the words are wrong in any way, but, the context could be wrong. This happens because some confused words sound the same, because of their forms, or because they have the same spellings.
Most times, these words are very basic, which means we use them in our daily lives oh so often. But, if you have stumbled upon this article, then it only means that you are not a fan of using the words incorrectly. Let us fix the issue right now, and take a look at ten pairs of most commonly confused words in usage.
List of Confused Words
1. Altar and Alter
The words Altar and Alter sound the same, but have completely different meanings. The word altar is a place of sacrifice or ceremony. For example, Jason waited for Alice to show up at the altar, but she bailed out on their wedding. Alter on the other hand means to change something. I need to get my clothes altered before I leave for the trip.
2. Canon and Cannon
Yet again, this pair of confusing words sound the same, but are different in meaning and have different spellings as well. Canon is a rule; for example, There is no way you can break this canon until your stay in this college. Cannon as many of us might know is a big gun used especially in wars. Despite the use of cannons, the enemy could not defeat our soldiers in that particular area.
3. Difference and Deference
In line with these words, not just do they have different spellings, but they also slightly vary in terms of their pronunciation. Such a mistake is very common to the ‘message and massage’ confusion. Difference very clearly refers to things that vary from one other. There is a difference between helping someone and doing the job for them completely. Deference means respect; for example, He joined this ob in deference to his father’s wishes.
4. Gamble and Gambol
This pair of confused words also vary in terms of their spelling as well as their pronunciation. Gamble means to play a game or bet for money. Jack lost all his cash in gambling, and now he is going to lose his property too, Gambol means to play and jump around. The young children came gambling when they heard the drums play at a distance.
5. Lightening and Lightning
Here is another pair of words that people generally tend to confuse. Lightening means to lessen the loan or to make something less heavy. Lightning, on the other hand, is the streak of light than accompanies the thunder. Here are some examples. The only way of lightening some of her load is to share her burden with her. Marcy, who is otherwise very brave, shivered when she saw a streak of lightning outside her window.
6. Persecute and Prosecute
This pair of confused words sound much similar to one another but are far apart in their meanings and a little apart in their spellings. Persecute means to harass, while Prosecute means to judicially initiate proceedings against someone. The powerful few persecuted the weak men in the past. An example of the word prosecute is I will prosecute him in the law courts if he fails to pay the money within a week.
7. Raise and Raze
Surprisingly, this pair of confusing words in usage seems to have very opposite meanings. Raise is a simple one which means to list. The father raised his crying daughter up in the air and twirled her around until she laughed. Raze means to demolish. Many palatial buildings were raised to the ground in the recent earthquake.
8. Personal and Personnel
Personal means something that is one’s own. Please do not interfere in my personal matters until I ask for your opinion. Personnel refers to the members engaged in work. We give the military personnel all the facilities required.
9. Team and Teem
Team is not a word that many do not know; a group is a team. For example, My team lost, even though we gave it our all. Teem means full of, for example, The pond teems with fish.
10. Stationary and Stationery
While Stationary means fixed or immovable, Stationery means the items we use to read, write, etc. For example, While everything else has moved, the pole star remains stationary. An example of its confused pair word is We purchased the stationery for our office during the sale season.
Get a good look at this list, and try and use these words in sentences of your own. You can leave them for us in the comment section below. Make sure to practice them in writing, so that you know what spellings you are using. In the meantime, you can wait for the second part of this topic.
Does a Unique Science and Arts Vocabulary interest you? Click here to read.
Discussion about this post