Actually, there are more than 600 – 1000 confused words in the English Language, that either means the same (or) used for a similar purpose. But actually, there is a little difference between them.
Below given 50 commonly confused English words can help you realize their actual usage, original meaning, and their importance in daily usage.
The below words will also help you stay focussed while using the remaining confusing words once you get through these words.
So, kindly go through the below vocabulary with their real meanings and usage and improve you communication skills.
50 Most Commonly Confused English Words
Able Vs Capable
Able = Current things someone can do
Capable = Someone’s future potential
Accept Vs Except
Accept = to receive
Except = to exclude
All Ready Vs Already
All ready = completely prepared
Already = something happened before a certain time
All Right Vs Alright
All right = fairly well, everything is good (formal).
Alright = ok then/ok fine (informal)
All Together Vs Altogether
All together= All at the same time
Altogether = entire extent, with the everyone included
Allusion Vs Delusion Vs Illusion
Allusion = Passing reference or indirect mention
Delusion = A mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea
Illusion = Something that many people believe but is false
Alumna Vs Alumnae Vs Alumnus Vs Alumni
Alumna = A female graduate from a university, college, etc.
Alumnae = Plural form of Alumna (A group of women graduates)
Alumnus = A person who has received a degree from a school (high school, college or university).
Alumni = It is a plural form of alumnus (male graduates/former students of both sexes).
Amount Vs Number
Amount = A quantity of something (Mass noun: cannot of counted individually)
Number = Countable noun: can be counted individually
Anxious Vs Eager
Anxious = worried/ uneasy
Eager = Full of keen desire
Apt Vs Liable Vs Likely
Apt = Naturally disposed toward
Liable = At risk of or subject to experiencing something usually unpleasant
Likely = a likely result
Aware Vs Conscious
Aware = awareness about the happening world
Conscious = awareness of oneself
Awful Vs Awfully
Awful = very bad or unpleasant
Awfully = to emphasize something
Balance Vs Remainder (commercial terms)
Balance = the difference between debit & credit of an account
Remainder=denotes comparatively small part Between Vs Among.
Bring Vs Take
Bring = Bring your book with you when you come over
Take = Take your book with you when you leave over
Can Vs May = seek permission
Can is actually used in expressions that talks about capability
May is more polite way to seek permission than can.
Cannot Vs Can Not Vs Can’t
Can’t is a contraction form of Cannot
Cannot = unable/not willing
Can Not = we can not only stop there, but also won’t come in that route.
Certain Vs Sure
Sure & Certain = confidence/reliability
Certain = more emphasis on certainty & less frequently used.
Complected Vs Complexioned
Complected = Interconnected
Complexioned = tinted/give certain colour to
Continual Vs Continuous
Continual = repeated but with breaks in between
Continuous = continuing without breaks
Data Vs Datum
Data = single data
Datum = plural form of data
Disinterested Vs Uninterested
Disinterested = Unaffected by self-interest
Uninterested = Not showing interest
Each Other Vs One Another
We help each other through hard times (bi-directional action)
They compete with one another (can be more than two)
Enthuse Vs Enthusiastic
Enthuse = not in use & not accepted
Enthusiastic= Feel enthusiasm
Farther Vs Further
Farther = To mention physical distance
Further = to certain extent (where no physical distance is involved)
Fewer Vs Less
Fewer = When Actual count is distinct
Less = When general quantity is considered
Former Vs Latter
Former = Referring to the first of two things
Latter = Referring to the second of two things
Imply Vs Infer
Imply = state indirectly
Infer = guess correctly
Lay vs Lie
Lay = with object – i laid the book on the table
Lie = without object – I lied down/I lied on the bed
Learn Vs Teach
Learn = to gain knowledge
Teach = to give knowledge
Lend Vs Loan
Lend/Loan = give temporarily
Lend = non-financial
Loan = financial
Loose vs Lose
Loose = not tight
Lose = to fail to win/to misplace/to free oneself from something.
Majority Vs Plurality
Majority = At least one more than half
Plurality = number immediate next to majority
May vs Might
May = what is possible/could be factual
Might = hypothetical/counter factual
Memoranda vs Memorandum
Memoranda = a written proposal (plural form of memorandum)
Memorandum = a written proposal/reminder.
Moral Vs Morale
Moral = lesson learnt from a story
Morale = mental or emotional state
Practicable Vs Practical
Practicable = Usable for a specific purpose
Practical = Concerned with actual use or practice
Precede Vs Proceed
Precede = Be earlier in time; go back further
Proceed = follow up
Principal Vs Principle
Principal = Most important element
Principle = A basic generalization that is accepted as true
Prophecy Vs Prophesy
Prophecy (n) = Knowledge of the future with source
Prophesy (v) = Predict or reveal through
Proved Vs Proven
Proved (v) = Established beyond doubt
Proven (adj) = A proven formula
Provided Vs Providing
Provided = On condition
Providing = Give something useful
Raise Vs Rear
Raise = Increase the level or amount of something
Rear = back/behind
Raise Vs Rise
Raise = Increase the level or amount of something
Rise = Move upward
Shall Vs Will
Shall = First person future
Will = Expresses the future tense (2nd and 3rd person forms)
Should Vs Would
Follows the same pattern as shall vs will
Should = something is likely
Would = expresses a possibility
Sick Vs Disgusted
Sick = Affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
Disgusted = strong disapproval
Set Vs Sit
Set = Fix conclusively
Sit = Take a seat
Somewhere Vs Somewheres
Somewhere = at some place
Somewheres = An indefinite or unknown location
Suspect Vs Suspicion
Suspect = Hold in suspicion
Suspicion = Doubt about someone’s honesty
Way Vs Ways
Way (singular) = conceptual path, road or direction
Ways (plural) = by all routes
Note: but never use plural form in the place of singular
Hope, the above words will give some insight about synonyms, homonyms, antonyms, and other related words, and will also help you to be more focused from now on to use more appropriate and correct vocabulary.
E.Hemachandra Prasad