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Frequently Confused Words (Lesson)

Writers often confuse words that sound alike but have different meanings or words that have
similar meanings. Below are some of these frequently confused words. You need to be able
to select the appropriate word based on the context. Below is a list of frequently confused
words and example sentences.

a lot: a considerable quantity or extent (noun) allude: to make an indirect reference to an idea,
allot: to assign (verb) place, person, or text (verb)
elude: to escape capture or to be incomprehensible (verb)
. I have a lot of socks.
. The teacher has allotted 20 minutes for the test. . Jacob hasn't even so much as alluded to liking me.
. The bank robber could elude the police for only
accept: to receive (verb) so long before getting caught.
except: excluding (preposition)
allusion: a reference to something (noun)
. I accept your apology. illusion: a false perception of reality (noun)
. Everyone is going to the store except me.
. The story has an allusion to Arachne, a
adapt: to change or to make suitable for a purpose (verb) character from Greek mythology.
adopt: to accept with approval or to take into one's . The illusion kept the audience entranced
family (verb)
for hours.
. The ideal candidate should be able to adapt aloud: with the speaking voice (adverb)
to change quickly and easily. allowed: permitted (verb)
. The legislature has yet to adopt the
committee's recommendations. . The teacher read aloud to her students.
. The teacher allowed her students to read outside.
advice: an opinion or a recommendation about what
could or should be done (noun)
apart: separate one from another; in pieces or
advise: to recommend, suggest, or counsel (verb) parts (adverb)
apart: one piece of a whole (noun)
. I never asked for your advice.
. His lawyer advised him not to talk. . Their family was torn apart by the war.
. Henri wants to be apart of our volunteer team.
affect: to influence (verb)
effect: a result (noun) ascent: an act of rising (noun)
assent: an act of agreeing to something (noun)
. The snowstorm has affected the city.
. The effect of the snowstorm is school closings. . Her ascent into the mountains was tiring.
. Her assent gave us permission to close the deal.
aisle: a pathway between rows of seats (noun)
ail: to be sick (verb) assure: to remove doubt or anxiety (verb)
isle: an island (noun) ensure: to guarantee an event or condition (verb)
I'll: "I will" (contraction)
insure: to protect from financial liability with
insurance (verb)
. The bride walked up the aisle with her father.
. Melissa needs to take care of her ailing father.
. Lecrae tried to assure Thomas that he knew what he
. We are taking a trip to the British Isles. was doing.
. I'll wash my car tomorrow.
. Thomas just wanted to ensure that their
undertaking would be successful.
 . Whatever happens, be sure to insure your 2
car before you let them borrow it. coarse: rough (adjective)
course: a path (noun)
award: to bestow based on merit (verb)
reward: to give wages or recompense (verb) . The coarse sand hurts my feet.
. Kimiran along the course.
. Ryan was awarded a medal for his bravery.
. Adele rewarded the puppy for his obedience. conscience: the sense of moral goodness of one's
conduct, intentions, or character (noun)
between: in the middle of (preposition used when conscious: capable of or marked by thought, will,
talking about distinct, individual items) design, or perception (adjective)
among: in the middle of (preposition used when
talking about items that are not distinct) . Rumi had a guilty conscience, so she
turned herself in.
. I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. . It was a conscious decision to do the right thing.
. I am among people who understand me.
complement: to make complete or whole
breath: inhaled or exhaled air (noun) (verb) compliment: to give praise (verb)
breathe: to exhale and inhale (verb)
. The lemon juice complements the flavor of
. The ring was so beautiful that it took my the fish.
breath away. . Danielle complimented John on his courage.
. Ronnie was so excited to see her favorite
singer that she forgot to breathe and passed out. counsel: to advise (verb)
council: an assembly or a group working to legislate
capital: a city serving as a seat of government or advise (noun)
(noun) capitol: a building in which a legislative body
meets (noun) . My lawyer counseled me to get the company
to sign a contract.
. Austin is the capital of Texas. . The council will meet tonight to elect officers.
. The U.S. Congress meets at the Capitol.
discreet: judicious in one's conduct or speech
censor: to forbid the public distribution of a piece (adjective) discrete: separate or distinct (adjective)
of information (verb)
censure: to give a formal rebuke (verb) . Try to be discreet when you slip him the note.
sensor: an object that detects stimuli such as heat, light, . Cut the brownies into nine discrete pieces.
or movement (noun)
elicit: to call forth or evoke or to deduce
. The university censored its campus newspaper (verb) illicit: morally wrong or illegal
before it was published. (adjective)
. The lawyer was censured due to her improper
conduct during the case. . Jackie is trying to elicit sympathy because she
. The sensor in my smoke detector is very sensitive. is in trouble.
. He said he was arrested for illicit activity.
cite: to quote (verb)
site: a position or place (noun) eminent: of high status or prominent
sight: vision (noun) (adjective) imminent: about to happen, occur,
or take place (adjective)
. The essay cites several different authors.
. Meet me at the construction site. . Whoever becomes president will hold an eminent
. Please get that bug out of my sight. position.
. The destruction of the building seems imminent.
farther: to greater distance or extent (adverb used 3
to express physical distance) lease: to rent for money (verb)
further: to greater distance or extent (adverb used to least: the smallest amount or degree (adjective)
express advancement to a greater degree, as in time
and other concepts)
. She leased the car.
. That option will cost the least amount of money.
. Pamela ran farther than I did.
. I will further my education by attending college.
lose: to fail to keep or maintain (verb)
loose: not tight or secure (adjective)
fewer: smaller amount (adjective used when referring
to something that can be counted) . Do not lose this expensive bracelet.
less: smaller amount or degree (adjective used . This bracelet is loose on me.
when referring to something that cannot be
counted)
passed: the past tense form of "pass," which means to
undergo a test or a course of study successfully (verb)
. I have fewer apples than Daniel.
past: having taken place in a period before the
. There was less pollution last year. present (adjective)
here: in this place (adverb)
. Raj barely passed his algebra class.
hear: to perceive sounds (verb)
. Don't judge me by my past mistakes.
. When will you get here?
. I hear the train coming. patience: the quality of being patient (noun)
patients: the plural form of "patient" (noun)
incidence: rate, extent, or frequency of occurrence . Daryl is testing my patience.
(noun) incident: a definite and separate occurrence or
action . The patients had to reschedule their appointments.
(noun)
poor: lacking resources (adjective)
pore: to gaze intently or toreador study attentively (verb)
. There is a high incidence of robbery in
that neighborhood.
. I'd rather not talk about that incident. . Carly has always desired to care for those who
are poor.
. Roman pored over the contract trying to find
its: belonging to something (adjective) a loophole.
it's: "it is" or "it has" (contraction)
precede: to go before or to introduce (verb)
. Its weakness is in its legs.
. It's going to be a rainy day. proceed: to move forward or to continue an action
or process (verb)
knew: past tense form of "know," which means to
. His reputation preceded him.
hold information in mind (verb)
. We must proceed with the ceremony.
new: appearing, thought of, or made for the first
time (adjective)
principal: ahead of a school or organization
(noun) principle: a basic law or truth (noun)
. At two years old, Cathleen already knew
her alphabet.
. Shondra went to the dealership to pickup her . The principal will make an important
announcement this morning.
new car.
. A principle of healthy eating is to eat fresh
and natural foods.
lead: a kind of metal or the graphite in pencils
(noun) led: past tense form of "lead," which means
to guide (verb) quiet: an absence of noise or activity (noun)
quite: to a degree or to an extent (adverb)
. My mechanical pencil needs more lead.
. The dog led me to the injured child. . I enjoyed the peace and quiet.
. The strawberries were quite delicious.
stationary: fixed or unchanging (adjective) 4
stationery: paper used for writing (noun) which: (pronoun used to refer to things in nonrestrictive
or nonessential clauses)
. A stationary bike allows people to
watch television while exercising. that: (pronoun used to refer to things in restrictive
. Cindy likes to use unique stationery for her letters. or essential clauses)

their: belonging to them (adjective) who: (pronoun used to refer to a person or people)
there: in or to that place (adverb)
they're: "they are" (contraction) whom: (pronoun used to refer to a person or people
when it functions as an object of a verb or preposition in
. Their house is impressive. the
. I will walk there. sentence)
. They're working hard to meet this deadline.
. We have the meeting this Wednesday, which is
then: after that (adverb) my birthday.
than: (preposition used in comparisons) . The television that Stacey broke will cost
$2,000 to replace.
. Andy passed the football to Edward and then . Tamara, who won the award last year, will be
ran to the endzone. a presenter.
. Andy runs faster than Edward. . With whom will you be going to the dance?

through: into or out of (preposition) whole: total, all, or complete (adjective)

threw: past tense form of "throw" (verb) hole: an opening or a hollowed-out place (noun)

. The ball went through the hoop on her first try. . Billy ate the whole cake.
. She threw the ball as hard as she could. . There is a hole in my jeans.

to: (preposition) whose: belonging to who or which (pronoun)

too: very or also (adverb) who's: "who is" or "who has" (contraction)
two: 2 (noun)
. Whose phone is ringing?
. They both rushed to the door. . Who's at the door?
. Amelia was too tired.
. There are two apples left. write: to put words on paper (verb)
rite: a ceremonial act (noun)
wear: to have something on; to damage something
by using or rubbing (verb) . I need to write an essay for my history class.
where: in or to what place (adverb) . The initiation rites are simple to perform.
ware: a manufactured article or product; goods (noun)
your: belonging to you (adjective)
. The weather is wearing away at the bridge. you're: "you are" (contraction)
. Where is my favorite mug?
. The artist peddled his wares door to door. . Your essay was entertaining to read.
. You're hilarious.
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