Module 18: Commonly Confused English Words

  📖 Quiet vs Silent💥

What is the difference between Quiet vs Silent?

It is important to distinguish between the two words quiet and silent. In this article, we will look at the differences between the words quiet and silent and explain why it is important to understand the differences and how to use them appropriately.

Quiet: You make a sound but not a loud sound.

Example:

✗ I have a car with silent engine. (silent engine = broken car)

 ✓ I have a car with quiet engine. (all cars make sound, however this car doesn't make a loud sound -> quiet)

 

Silent: You don't make any sound at all (no noise, no sound)

Example:

 ✗ She didn't say anything, she was quiet.

 ✓ She didn't say anything, she was silent.

 

📖Wish vs Hope💥

What is the difference between Wish and Hope? How to distinguish between Wish and Hope? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ I hope I were younger.

 ✓ I wish I were younger.

 

 ✗ I wish that she is fine.

 ✓ I hope that she is fine.

 

Hope:  To express something is very possible to happen.

Wish: To express something is impossible (not likely) to happen. (Never use present simple tense for the clause after "wish")

 

 

 

📖 As vs Like💥

What is the difference between As and Like? How to distinguish between As and Like? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Jack talks like his brother does. 

 ✓ Jack talks as his brother does. 

 

 ✗ As other students, She is very busy.

 ✓ Like other students, She is very busy.

 

As: (preposition) As + adjectives, adverbs + as, (conjunction) introduce dependent clauses. Do not use as before a noun or pronoun in comparisons. 

Like: is a preposition is followed by a noun or pronoun.

 

📖 Couple vs Pair💥

What is the difference between Couple and Pair? How to distinguish between Couple and Pair? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ It took a pair of hours to fix the car.

 ✓ It took a couple of hours to fix the car.

 

 ✗ I'd like to buy a new couple of glasses.

 ✓ I'd like to buy a new pair of glasses.

 

Couple: Two things of the same type (don't need to use together) or two people who are married or in love.

Pair: Two things of the same type used together (a pair of shoes, a pair of gloves)

 

 

📖 Passed vs Past 💥

What is the difference between Passed and Past? How to distinguish between Passed and Past? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ I past my English Exam last week.

 ✓ I passed my English Exam last week

 

 ✗ It is half passed five now.

 ✓ It is half past five now.

 

Passed: past tense of the verb "to pass"

Past: (adjective) previous time, finished or ended. (preposition) later or further a particular time or place.

 

 

📖 Almost vs Most 💥

What is the difference between Almost and Most? How to distinguish between Almost and Most? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ She is the almost beautiful girl I've ever met.

 ✓ She is the most beautiful girl I've ever met.

 

 ✗ I'll be away for almost two weeks.

 ✓ Are there any other questions?

 

Almost: Nearly all (not completely)

Most: is superlative of form of more, the greatest or highest degree.

 

📖 Salary vs Income 💥

What is the difference between Salary and Income? How to distinguish between Salary and Income? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Her income is paid directly into her bank account.
 ✓ Her salary is paid directly into her bank account.

 

 ✗ The last salary tax payment was 25 February.
 ✓ The last income tax payment was 25 February.

 

Salary: money that you receive for doing a regular job (monthly).

Income: money that you receive for doing a regular job and from other sources (business, investment).

 

 

 

📖 Other vs Another 💥

What is the difference between Other and Another? How to distinguish between Other and Another? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Buy two hats and get other free.
✓ Buy two hats and get another free.

 

 ✗ Are there any another questions?
✓ Are there any other questions?

 

Other: Refer to additional things or people (the one that you have not mentioned).

Another: one more person or thing of the same type as before and often followed by a singular countable noun.

 

📖 Work vs Job 💥

 

What is the difference between Work and Job? How to distinguish between Work and Job. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ He has had this work for 10 years.

 ✓ He has had this job for 10 years.

 

 ✗ I have just finished my job. Now I have to go to the post office.

 ✓ I have just finished my work. Now I have to go to the post office.

 

Work: (n) is an uncountable noun. It is more general than job.

Job: (n) is a countable noun. It is more specific than work, things you do regularly to earn money officially.

 

 

 

📖 Live vs Stay 💥

What is the difference between Live and Stay? How to distinguish between Live and Stay. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ I have lived here for 3 hours.

 ✓ I have stayed here for 3 hours.

 

 ✗ My parents stayed in New York since 1980.

 ✓ My parents lived in New York since 1980.

 

Live: You have a home in a place you live (long time)

Stay: You are in a place for a while as a guest.

 

 

📖 High vs Tall 💥

What is the difference between High vs Tall? How to distinguish between High vs Tall. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ That tree is very high.

 ✓ That tree is very tall.                                                                              

 

 ✗ That mountain is very tall.

 ✓ That mountain is very high.

 

High: used to measure the length from top to bottom (Things are large in size. Ex: Mountain, Walls)

Tall: used to talk about things having small diameter to its height. Ex: people, tree, buildings, animals) 

 

 

 

 

📖 Hire vs Rent 💥

What is the difference between Hire and Rent? How to distinguish between Hire and Rent. Let's see the following examples.

 

British English: I'd like to hire a car for 2 days.

American English: I'd like to rent a car for 2 days.

 

British English: Hire is used for both people and things for A SHORT TIME. Rent is used for both people and things for A LONG TIME.

American English: Rent is used for things (both for a short and long time). Hire is used for people (both for a short and long time).

 

 

📖 Raise vs Rise 💥

What is the difference between Raise and Rise? How to distinguish between Raise and Rise. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ The sun raises in the morning.
✓ The sun rises in the morning.

 

 ✗ Please rise your hand if you have any questions.
 ✓ Please raise your hand if you have any questions.

 

Raise: move to a higher position. Raise + an object.

Rise: move upward by itself. Rise can't be used with an object.

 

 

📖 Between vs Among 💥

What is the difference between among and between? How to distinguish between among and between. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Bob sits down among John and Kate.

 ✓ Bob sits down between John and Kate.

 

 ✗ I can't see her between the crowd.

 ✓ I can't see her among the crowd.

 

Between: in or though the middle of TWO things or people (Only TWO)

Among: in or though the middle of a group (three or more) of  things or people.

 

 

📖 Alike vs Like vs Similar 💥

What are the differences among Alike, Like and Similar? How to distinguish among Alike, Like and Similar. Let's see the following examples.

✗ My book is alike to yours.

 ✓ My book is like yours.

 ✓ My book is similar to yours.

 

 ✗ Our books are like.

 ✓ Our books are alike.

 ✓ Our books are similar.

 

Similar: (Adjective) Something is almost the same.

Alike: (Adjective) Very similar (people look or behave)

Like: (Preposition) Similar to someone or something.

 

My book is like yours

My book is similar to yours

Our books are alike.

Our books are similar.

 

📖 Some time vs Sometime vs Sometimes 💥

What are the differences among Some time vs Sometime vs Sometimes? How to distinguish Some time vs Sometime vs Sometimes? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ He needs sometime to think about it.

✗ He needs sometimes to think about it.

 ✓ He needs some time to think about it.

 

 ✗ I'll have a vacation some time in July.

 ✗ I'll have a vacation sometimes in July.

 ✓ I'll have a vacation sometime in July.

 

 ✗ Sometime I go to work by bus.

 ✗ Some time I go to work by bus.

 ✓ Sometimes I go to work by bus.

 

Some time            : a considerable period of time.

Sometime             : a time in the future or in the past but you don't know exactly when.

Sometimes          : Something happens occasionally but not always.

 

📖 Imply vs Infer 💥

What is the difference between Imply and Infer? How to distinguish between Imply and Infer? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Her remark infer  that he is wrong.

 ✓ Her remark implies that he is wrong.

 

 ✗ It is impossible to imply final results from these statistics.

 ✓ It is impossible to infer final results from these statistics.

 

Imply:  You suggest indirectly something that is true.

Infer: You make a conclusion (opinion) from known facts or information that you have. (infer sth from sth)

 

 

📖 Amount vs Number 💥

What is the difference between Amount and Number? How to distinguish between Amount and Number? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ I've saved a considerable number of money.

 ✓ I've saved a considerable amount of money.

 

 ✗ I've sold an amount of cars.

 ✓ I've sold a number of cars.

 

Amount: is used with uncountable nouns.

Number: is used with countable nouns.

 

📖 Treat vs Cure 💥

What is the difference between Treat and Cure? How to distinguish between Treat and Cure? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Five injured people were cured at Center Hospital yesterday.

 ✓ Five injured people were treated at Center Hospital yesterday.

 

 ✗ 100 patients can be treated of the disease.

 ✓ 100 patients can be cured of the disease.

 

Cure: Restore to health, make ill people completely well again.

Treat: use medicine, operations to cure an illness or injury.

 

 

📖 Injured vs Wounded (Injure vs Wound) 💥

What is the difference between Injured and Wounded? How to distinguish between Injured and Wounded? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Two people were wounded in this morning accident.

 ✓ Two people were injured in this morning accident.

 

 ✗ Six soldiers were injured in the battle.

 ✓ Six soldiers were wounded in the battle.

 

Injured: hurt in an accident.

Wounded: hurt in a battle or war (by a gun or a knife)

 

 

📖 Invent vs Discover 💥

What is the difference between Invent and Discover? How to distinguish between Invent and Discover. Let's see the following examples.

 

✓ They invented a very useful car.

✗ They discovered a very useful car.

 

✓ Scientist discovered a new planet yesterday.

✗ Scientist invented a new planet yesterday.

 

 

Use invent of something which did not exist until man created it. Example: a car or a telephone.

Use discover of something which existed without man's knowledge, to find something that was hidden or that people did not know about before. Example: countries, continents, planets etc.

 

 

 

📖 Fewer vs Less 💥

What is the difference between Fewer and Less? How to distinguish between Fewer and Less. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ There are LESS people here than yesterday.

✓ There are FEWER people here than yesterday.

 

 

✗ We earn FEWER money than last month.

✓ We earn LESS money than last month.

 

 

Use FEWER before plural nouns (countable nouns). Example: people, cars, houses etc.

Use LESS before a uncountable noun. Example: money, water, salt, etc

 

 

📖 Borrow vs Lend 💥

What is the difference between Borrow and Lend? How to distinguish between Borrow and Lend. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ May I LEND your car?

✓ May I BORROW your car?

 

✗ Can you BORROW me $10?

✓ Can you LEND me $10?

 

 

BORROW: You use, take or receive something that belongs to someone else and that will be returned.

LEND: You let someone borrow something that belongs to you temporarily and on condition that it will be returned.

 

 

 

📖 Beside vs Besides 💥

What is the difference between Beside and Besides? How to distinguish between Beside and Besides. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Do you now the girl besides Marry?

✓ Do you now the girl beside Marry

 

✗ Beside English, I can speak Japanese.

✓ Besides English, I can speak Japanese.

 

 

BESIDE (without "s"): A preposition, It means next to or by the side of someone or something:

BESIDES (with "s") : A preposition or an adverb, It means in addition to someone or something or moreover.

 

 

 

📖 Affect vs Effect 💥

What is the difference between Affect and Effect? How to distinguish between Affect and Effect. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Pollution effects our health.
✓ Pollution affects our health.

 

✗ Do you know the affects of smoking?
✓ Do you know the effects of smoking?

 

 

AFFECT: is a VERB. It means influence or do something that produces an effect or change in something or in someone’s situation:

EFFECT: is a NOUN. It means a change that is caused by a person, an event, action.

 

Note: Affect = have an effect on. Example: CO2 affects our environment = CO2 has an effect on our environment.

 

 

 

📖 Anyway vs Any Way💥

What is the difference between Anyway and Any Way? How to distinguish between Anyway and Any Way. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ How can we help you anyway?
✓ How can we help you in any way?

 

✗ Any way, why didn't you call me?
✓ Anyway, why didn't you call me?

 

 

Anyway (one word): in spite of something that you have just mentioned.

Any way (two words): = any method. We usually use "in any way".

 

 

📖 Interested vs Interesting💥

 

What is the difference between Interested and Interesting ? How to distinguish between Interested and Interesting. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ I am interesting in learning English.
✓ I am interested in learning English.

 

✗ The book is very interested.
✓ The book is very interesting.

 

 

Interested: showing your fascination or concern to something because you enjoy it.

Interesting: arousing your attention making you want to know more about it.

Remember that only people can be described as interested.

 

 

 

 

📖 Excited vs Exciting 💥

 

What is the difference between Excited and Exciting ? How to distinguish between Excited and Exciting . Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ I am exciting and happy to be a student.
✓ I am excited and happy to be a student.

 

✗ The trip to Hawaii was very excited.
✓ The trip to Hawaii was very exciting.

 

 

Excited: You feel happy because something good that has happened or is going to happen, you are excited.

Exciting: Something makes you feel excited and enthusiastic, it is exciting.

Remember that only people can be described as excited.

 

📖 Although vs But 💥

What is the difference between Although and But ? How to distinguish between Although and But . Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Although I am small, but I run faster than him.
✓ Although I am small, I run faster than him.

 

✗ It is an old book, although it is very interesting.
✓ It is an old book, but it is very interesting.

 

 

Although: We use when contrasting one clause with another in the same sentence.

But: We use when linking two words or phrases that seem opposite or very different in meaning. Don’t use but at the beginning of a sentence in written English

Remember that: Although and but can not be used together.

 

 

 

📖 Altogether vs All Together 💥

What is the difference between Altogether and All Together? How to distinguish between Altogether and All Together. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ I spent all together $1000 to buy a new laptop.
✓ I spent altogether $1000 to buy a new laptop.

 

✗ The kids go fishing altogether.
✓ The kids go fishing all together.

 

 

Altogether: wholly, entirely, completely, everything being considered, something has been done completely.

All together: At the same time, in one group, everyone or everything together.

 

 

 

📖 Produce vs Manufacture 💥

What is the difference between Produce and Manufacture? How to distinguish between Produce and Manufacture? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ This company produces washing machines.

 ✓ This company manufactures washing machines.

 

 ✗ Poor light manufactures weak plants. 

 ✓ Poor light produces weak plants.

 

Produce: make something as the result of a natural process.

Manufacture: make cars, equipment, machines.

 

 

 

 

📖 Make vs Produce💥

What is the difference between Make and Produce? How to distinguish between Make and Produce? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ This chair was produced of wood.
✓ This chair was made of wood.

 

 ✗ Poor light makes weak plants. 
✓ Poor light produces weak plants.

 

Produce: make something as the result of a natural process.

Make: You produce something in a factory. Use "made of" when materials can be recognized (This table was made of wood). Use "made from" when materials can't be recognized (This wine was made from grapes).

 

📖 Arrive vs Reach 💥

What is the difference between Arrive and Reach? How to distinguish between Arrive and Reach? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ They were unable to arrive a conclusion.
✓ They were unable to reach a conclusion.

 

 ✗ I reached late light night.
✓ I arrived late light night.

 

Reach    : is a transitive verb and it needs an object. (arrive somewhere after a long journey)

Arrive    : is an intransitive verb and it doesn't need an object. (You are going to a place and you get to it)

 

 

 

 

📖 Home vs House💥

What is the difference between Home and House? How to distinguish between Home and House? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ I'll go house now. Good night!

 ✓ I'll go home now. Good night!

 

 ✗ She is going to buy a new home.

 ✓ She is going to buy a new house.

 

Home     : Place where you live.

House    : A building that someones live in.

 

📖 Specially vs Especially 💥

What is the difference between Specially and Especially? How to distinguish between Specially and Especially? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ I went to London especially to visit my relatives.|
✓ I went to London specially to visit my relatives.

 

 ✗ I love Vietnamese food, specially Pho.
✓ I love Vietnamese food, especially Pho.

 

Specially               : You do something for a particular reason or purpose.

Especially             : Mainly, particularly (something is more important than the others)

 

 

 

 

📖 Politic vs Political 💥

What is the difference between Politic and Political? How to distinguish between Politic and Political. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ John is a political business man.
✓ John is a politic business man.

 

✗ Education has become a politic battleground.
✓ Education has become a political battleground.

 

 

Politic    : means prudent, artful

Political : It relates to politics, government

 

📖 Economic vs Economical💥

What is the difference between Economic and Economical ? How to distinguish between Economic and Economical . Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ This country's economical policies are not very good.
✓ This country's economic policies are not very good.

 

✗ This is a very economic car.
✓ This is a very economical car.

 

 

Economic             : We use economic when talking about the economy of a country, area, or region.

Economical          : We use economical when talking about something it saves you money, not expensive to buy or use.

 

 

 

📖 Died vs Dead 💥

What is the difference between Died and Dead? How to distinguish between Died and Dead. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ He dead five years ago.
✓ He died five years ago.

 

✗ He was found died in his car.
✓ He was found dead in his car.

 

 

Died (verb)           : Remember that, die is a verb and died is past tense of die. It describes an action.

Dead (adjective) : is an adjective and it describe a state (no longer alive).

 

 

 

📖 Attend vs Join 💥

What is the difference between Attend and Join? How to distinguish between Attend and Join. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Did you join the meeting yesterday?

✓ Did you attend the meeting yesterday?

 

✗ John will attend our football club.

✓ John will join our football club.

 

Attend    : go to an event, activity such as meeting or school as student.

Join        : become a member of a club or organization etc.

 

 

 

 

 

📖 Bring vs Take 💥

What is the difference between Bring and Take? How to distinguish between Bring and Take. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Can you take me another beer?

✓ Can you bring me another beer?

✗ John will bring me to the airport.

✓ John will take me to the airport.

 

Movement toward to the speaker we use BRING

Movement away from the speaker we use TAKE

 

 

 

📖 Continuous vs Continual 💥

What is the difference between Continuous and Continual? How to distinguish between Continuous and Continual. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ We had five continual hours of meeting yesterday.
✓ We had five continuous hours of meeting yesterday.

 

✗ California faced two weeks of continuous rain.
✓ California faced two weeks of continual rain.

 

 

Continuous          : Continuing without stopping or breaks in between.

Continual              : Something happening over and over again with breaks in between that is annoying or causes problems.

 

 

 

 

 

📖 Expensive vs Costly 💥

What is the difference between Expensive and Costly? How to distinguish between Expensive and Costly. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ This bike is costly.
✓ This bike is expensive.

 

✗ Buying all those old cars was a expensive mistake.
✓ Buying all those old cars was a costly mistake.

 

 

Expensive            : Used for something usual, or regular buy or pay (expensive tickets, bikes, clothes etc)

Costly                    : Used for something unusual or rare that costs a lot (costly diamond rings) especially waste of money or cost a lot of money to correct or replace (costly mistake)

 

 

 

📖 Historic vs Historical 💥

What is the difference between Historic and Historical? How to distinguish between Historic and Historical. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ "It is a historical moment," he said.

✓ "It is a historic moment," he said.

 

✗ This is a historic novel.

✓ This is a historical novel.

 

We use HISTORIC to talk about a place, building in history, an event is very important and will be recorded in history.

We use HISTORICAL to talk about something that connect to the study of history, events, people etc happened or existed in the past.

 

 

 

📖 Fit vs Match 💥

What is the difference between Fit and Match? How to distinguish between Fit and Match. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ This shirt doesn't match you. It is too long.
✓ This shirt doesn't fit you. It is too long.

 

✗ This hat fits your shirt.
✓ This hat matches your shirt.

  

We use FIT it means that the size is right for you.

If two things MATCH, it means that they look attractive together, an attractive combination because the colours or patterns are similar.

 

 

 

📖 Learn vs Study 💥

What is the difference between Learn and Study? How to distinguish between Learn and Study. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Anna studied how to drive from her friend.

✓ Anna learned how to drive from her friend.

 

✗ I learn in the library as there are too many distractions at home.

 ✓ I study in the library as there are too many distractions at home.

 

When you LEARN you gain knowledge of a subject or skill, or mastery of something though experience, especially by being taught or trained.

 

When you STUDY you make an effort to learn about a subject by doing research, reading books, going to classes etc, especially at school or university.

 

 

 

 

📖 Accept vs Access 💥

What is the difference between Accept and Access? How to distinguish between Accept and Acces. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Professor Perez will access the chairmanship of the humanities department.

✓ Professor Perez will accept the chairmanship of the humanities department.

.

✗ The teacher had no accept to the students’ files, which were locked in the principal’s office.

✓ The teacher had no access to the students’ files, which were locked in the principal’s office.

 

 

Accept (verb)      : to take what is given.

Access (noun)     : availability, way of gaining entrance.

 

 

📖 Except vs Excess💥

What is the difference between Except and Excess? How to distinguish between Except and Excess. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Everyone is going to the convention excess Bob, who has to work.

✓ Everyone is going to the convention except Bob, who has to work.

 

✗ We paid a surcharge on our except baggage.

✓ We paid a surcharge on our excess baggage.

 

✗ The demand for funds was in except of the actual need.

✓ The demand for funds was in excess of the actual need.

 

 

Except (preposition)          : excluding or omitting a thing or person.

Excess (adjective)             : abundant, superfluous.
Excess (noun)                     : extract amount. 

 

 

 

 

📖 Advice vs Advise💥

What is the difference between Advice and Advise? How to distinguish between Advice and Advise. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ If you heed the teacher’s advise, you will do well in your studies.

✓ If you heed the teacher’s advice, you will do well in your studies.

 

✗ The congress advice the presidents against signing the treaty at that.

✓ The congress advised the presidents against signing the treaty at that.

 

 

Advice (noun)      : opinion given to someone, counseling. 
Advise (verb)      : act of giving an opinion or counsel.

 

 

 

 

 

📖 Affect vs Effect 💥

What is the difference between Affect and Effect? How to distinguish between Affect and Effect. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ The doctors wanted to see how the medication would effect the patient.
✓ The doctors wanted to see how the medication would affect the patient.

 

✗ The children suffered no ill affects from their long plane ride.

✓ The children suffered no ill effects from their long plane ride.

 

✗ To affect a change in city government we must all vote on Tuesday.
✓ To effect a change in city government we must all vote on Tuesday.

 

 

 

Affect (verb)        : to produce a change in.

Effect (noun)        : end result or consequence.
Effect (verb)        : to produce as a result.

 

 

📖 Again vs Against💥

What is the difference between Again and Against? How to distinguish between Again and Against. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Mike wrote to the publishers against, inquiring about his manuscript.

✓ Mike wrote to the publishers again, inquiring about his manuscript.

 

✗ The athletic director was again our dancing in the new gym.

✓ The athletic director was against our dancing in the new gym.

 

✗ The boy standing again the piano is my cousin Bill.

✓ The boy standing against the piano is my cousin Bill.

 

 

Again (Adverb)                   : repetition of an action, one more time.

Against (Preposition)        : in opposition to someone or something.
Against (Preposition)        : next to, adjacent.

 

 

📖 Already vs All Ready💥

What is the difference between Already and All Ready? How to distinguish between Already and All Ready. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Abdullah’s plane had all ready landed before we got to the airport.

✓ Abdullah’s plane had already landed before we got to the airport.

 

✗ we are already to go boating.
✓ we are all ready to go boating.

 

 

Already (adverb)                                 : an action that happened at an indefinite time before the present.
All Ready (noun + adjective)          : prepared to do something.

 

 

 

 

📖 Among vs Between 💥

What is the difference between Among and Between? How to distinguish between Among and Between. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ It was difficult to c select a winner from between son many contestants.

✓ It was difficult to c select a winner from among son many contestants.

 

✗ Among writing her book and teaching, Fatimah had little time for anything else.
✓ Between writing her book and teaching, Fatimah had little time for anything else.

 

 

Among (preposition)         : show a relationship or selection involving three or more entities.
Between (preposition)      : show a relationship or selection involving only two entities. NOTE: when between is followed by two nouns or noun phrases, the two nouns or nouns phrases must be separated by and and never by or.

 

📖 Beside vs Besides vs Aside💥

What is the difference between Beside, Besides and Aside? How to distinguish between Beside, Besides and Aside. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ There is a small table besides the bed.
✗ There is a small table aside the bed.

✓ There is a small table beside the bed.

 

✗ I have five history books here beside the four that I left at home.

✗ I have five history books here aside the four that I left at home.

✓ I have five history books here besides the four that I left at home.

 

✗ Harry sets money beside every payday for his daughter’s education.
✗ Harry sets money besides every payday for his daughter’s education.

✓ Harry sets money aside every payday for his daughter’s education.

 

 

Beside   (preposition)                        : next to.                                                                             
Besides (preposition or adverb)    : in addition to, also, moreover.
Aside (adverb)                                    : to one side.

 

 

 

📖 Compare vs Contrast💥

What is the difference between Compare and Contrast? How to distinguish between Compare and Contrast. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Sue contrasted her new school with the last one she had attended.

✓ Sue compared her new school with the last one she had attended.

 

✗ In her composition, Marta choose to compare life in a big city with that of a small town.
✓ In her composition, Marta choose to contrast life in a big city with that of a small town.

 

 

Compare (verb)  : show similarities.
Contrast (verb)   : show differences.

 

📖 Consecutive vs Successive💥

What is the difference between Consecutive and Successive? How to distinguish between Consecutive and Successive. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Today is the tenth successive day of this unbearable heat wave.

✓ Today is the tenth consecutive day of this unbearable heat wave.

 

✗ The united states won gold medals in two consecutive Olympic Games.
✓ The united states won gold medals in two successive Olympic Games.

 

 

Consecutive (adjective)   : indicates an uninterrupted sequence.
Successive (adjective)     : indicates a series of separate events.

 

 

📖 Considerable vs Considerate💥

What is the difference between Considerable and Considerate? How to distinguish between Considerable and Considerate. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Even though Marge had considerate experience in the field, she was not hired for the job. 

✓ Even though Marge had considerable experience in the field, she was not hired for the job.  

 

✗ It was very considerable of Harry to send his hostess a bouquet of flowers.
✓ It was very considerate of Harry to send his hostess a bouquet of flowers.

 

 

Considerable (adjective) : rather large amount or degree.
Considerate (adjective)   : thoughtful, polite.

 

📖 Credible vs Creditable vs Credulous💥

What is the difference between Credible and Creditable? How to distinguish between Credible and Creditable. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ His explanation of the rescue at sea seemed Creditable.
✓ His explanation of the rescue at sea seemed credible.

 

✗ The fireman’s daring rescue of those trapped in the burning building was a credible deed.
✓ The fireman’s daring rescue of those trapped in the burning building was a creditable deed.

 

✗ Aminah is so Creditable that she will accept any excuse you offer.
✓ Aminah is so credulous that she will accept any excuse you offer.

 

 

Credible (adjective)           : believable.
Creditable (adjective)       : worthy of praise
Credulous (adjective)       : Gullible

 

 

📖 Detract vs Distract💥

What is the difference between Detract and Distract? How to distinguish between Detract and Distract. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Molly’s nervousness distracted from her singing.

✓ Molly’s nervousness detracted from her singing.  

 

 

✗ Please do not detract your father while he is balancing the checkbook
✓ Please do not distract your father while he is balancing the checkbook

 

 

Detract (verb)      : take away or lessen the value of a person or thing.
Distract (verb)     : cause a lack of mental concentration on what one is doing or the goals one has set.

 

📖 Device vs Devise💥

What is the difference between Device and Devise? How to distinguish between Device and Devise. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ This is a clever devise for cleaning fish without getting pinched by the scales.

✓ This is a clever device for cleaning fish without getting pinched by the scales.

 

 

✗ The general deviced a plan for attacking the enemy camp at night while the soldiers were celebrating.  
✓ The general devised a plan for attacking the enemy camp at night while the soldiers were celebrating.  

 

 

Device (noun)      : an invention or plan.
Devise (verb)       : invent, create contrive.

 

 

 

📖 Elicit vs Illicit💥

What is the difference between Elicit and Illicit? How to distinguish between Elicit and Illicit. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ The prosecutor’s barrage of question finally illicited the truth from the witness.

✓ The prosecutor’s barrage of question finally elicited the truth from the witness.

 

 

✗ The politician’s elicit dealings with organized crime caused him to lose his government position.
✓ The politician’s illicit dealings with organized crime caused him to lose his government position.

 

 

Elicit (verb)          : draw out, evoke.
Illicit (adjective) : unlawful.

 

 

📖 Emigrant vs Immigrant💥

What is the difference between Emigrant and Immigrant? How to distinguish between Emigrant and Immigrant. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ After World War II, many immigrants left Europe to go to the United States

✓ After World War II, many emigrants left Europe to go to the United States

 

 

✗ The United States is a country composed of emigrants.

✓ The United States is a country composed of immigrants.

 

 

Emigrant (noun)  : one who leaves one’s own country to live in another
Immigrant (noun : one who comes to a new country to settle.

NOTE: The verbs are emigrate and immigrate. It is possible to be both an emigrant and immigrant at the same time as one leaves one’s own country (emigrant) and arrives in another country (immigrant) to settle.

 

 

 

📖 Example vs Sample💥

What is the difference between Example and Sample? How to distinguish between Example and Sample. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Picasso’s Guernica is an excellent sample of expressionism in art. 

✓ Picasso’s Guernica is an excellent example of expressionism in art.  

 

 

✗ My niece loves to go to the supermarket because the dairy lady always gives her a example of cheese.

✓ My niece loves to go to the supermarket because the dairy lady always gives her a sample of cheese.

 

 

Example (noun)  : anything used to prove a point.
Sample (noun)     : a representative part of a whole.

 

📖 Formerly vs Formally💥

What is the difference between Example and Sample? How to distinguish between Example and Sample. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ He formerly worked as a professor, but now he is a physicist.

✓ He formerly worked as a professor, but now he is a physicist.

 

 

✗ At the resort we were required to dress formally for dinner every night.

✓ She has formally requested a name change.

 

 

 

Formerly (adverb)              : previously

Formally (adverb)              :
a. an elegant way of dressing, usually a tuxedo for men and a long grown for women.
b. properly, officially.

 

 

📖 Hard vs Hardly💥

What is the difference between Hard and Hardly? How to distinguish between Hard and Hardly. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ b. The stadium seats were hardly, so we rented a cushion.
✓ a. The test was so hard that nobody passed.
✓ b. The stadium seats were hard, so we rented a cushion.
✓ c. They worked hard on the project.

 

 

 

✗ He had so much work to do after that vacation that he hard knew where to begin.

✓ He had so much work to do after that vacation that he hardly knew where to begin.

 

 

Hard (adjective) :
a. difficult
b. opposite soft
c. with great effort (adverb)

Hardly (adverb)  : barely, scarcely.

 

📖 Helpless VS Useless💥

What is the difference between Helpless and Useless? How to distinguish between Helpless and Useless. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Because I could not speak their language. I felt useless trying to understand the tourists’ plight.

✓ Because I could not speak their language. I felt helpless trying to understand the tourists’ plight.

 

 

✗ An umbrella is helpless in a hurricane.
✓ An umbrella is useless in a hurricane.

 

 

 

Helpless (adjective)          : unable to remedy (an animate thing is helpless).

Useless (adjective)           : worthless, unserviceable.

 

 

 

📖 House VS Home💥

What is the difference between House and Home? How to distinguish between House and Home. House noun) VS Home (noun) are many times used interchangeably, but there exists a difference in meaning. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ The Chapmans are building a new home.
✓ The Chapmans are building a new house.

 

 

✗ House is where the heart is
✓ Home is where the heart is

 

 

House (noun)                       : House refers to the building or structure.

Home (noun)                        : Home refers to the atmosphere or feeling of domestic tranquility found in a house.

 

📖 Imaginary VS Imaginative💥

What is the difference between Imaginary and Imaginative? How to distinguish between Imaginary and Imaginative. Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Since Ralph has no brothers or sisters, he has created imaginative playmate.

✓ Since Ralph has no brothers or sisters, he has created imaginary playmate.

 

 

✗ Star Wars was created by a highly imaginary writer.
✓ Star Wars was created by a highly imaginative writer.

 

 

 

Imaginary (adjective)        : something not real that exits in one’s imagination.

Imaginative (adjective)     : showing signs of great imagination.

 

 

 

 

📖 Immortal VS Immoral💥

What is the difference between Immortal and Immoral? How to distinguish between Immortal and Immoral? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ The immoral works of Shakespeare are still being read and enjoyed three centuries after their writing.

✓ The immortal works of Shakespeare are still being read and enjoyed three centuries after their writing.

 

 

✗ Their immortal behavior in front of the students cost the teachers their jobs.
✓ Their immoral behavior in front of the students cost the teachers their jobs.

 

 

 

Immortal (adjective)          : incapable of dying.

Imaginative (adjective)     : against the moral law, bad, evil.

 

📖 Inflict VS Afflict💥

What is the difference between Inflict and Afflict? How to distinguish between Inflict and Afflict? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Because the prisoners had created a riot and had assaulted several guard, the warden afflicted severe punishment on all the participants.  

✓ Because the prisoners had created a riot and had assaulted several guard, the warden inflicted severe punishment on all the participants.  

 

 

✗ During the middles, millions of people were inflicted by the plague.  
✓ During the middles, millions of people were afflicted by the plague.  

 

 

 

Inflict (verb)                         : impose something unwelcome

Afflict (verb)                        : cause physical or mental plan

 

 

 

 

📖 Industrial VS Industrious💥

What is the difference between Industrial and Industrious? How to distinguish between Industrial and Industrious? Let's see the following examples.

 

✗ Paul had an industrious accident and was in the hospital for three months. 

✓ Paul had an industrial accident and was in the hospital for three months.  

 

 

✗ Mark was such an industrial student that he received a four-year scholarship to the university.
✓ Mark was such an industrious student that he received a four-year scholarship to the university.

 

 

 

Industrial (adjective)         : pertaining to industry.

Industrious (adjective)     : diligent, hardworking.

 

 

Reference: a Book Cliffs TOEFL Preparation Guide