Confusing English Words (Commonly Misused Words)

Accept = to receive or agree. Except = excluding something. Example: I accept your offer. Everyone came except John.

Affect = influence (verb). Effect = result (noun). Example: Stress affects health. The medicine had a good effect.

Advice = suggestion (noun). Advise = to suggest (verb). Example: Thank you for your advice. I advise you to study daily.

Lose = fail to keep. Loose = not tight. Example: Don’t lose your keys. This shirt is loose.

Their = belonging to them. There = place. They’re = they are. Example: Their house is over there. They’re happy.

Your = belonging to you. You’re = you are. Example: Your bag is here. You’re very kind.

Its = belonging to it. It’s = it is. Example: The cat cleaned its paws. It’s raining.

Then = time/order. Than = comparison. Example: Finish homework, then relax. She is taller than me.

Compliment = praise. Complement = complete or match well. Example: She gave me a compliment. The colors complement each other.

Principle = rule or belief. Principal = head of school or main. Example: Honesty is a principle. The principal gave a speech.

Stationary = not moving. Stationery = writing materials. Example: The car remained stationary. I bought stationery items.

Farther = physical distance. Further = additional degree or extent. Example: The park is farther away. Let’s discuss this further.

Borrow = take temporarily. Lend = give temporarily. Example: Can I borrow your pen? I can lend you mine.

Hear = perceive sound. Listen = pay attention to sound. Example: I hear music. Please listen carefully.

Say = speak words. Tell = inform someone. Example: She said hello. He told me the truth.

Beside = next to. Besides = in addition to. Example: Sit beside me. Besides English, she knows French.

Quiet = silent. Quite = fairly or very. Example: The room is quiet. The movie was quite interesting.

Later = after some time. Latter = second of two things. Example: I’ll call you later. I prefer the latter option.

Weather = climate conditions. Whether = expressing choice or doubt. Example: The weather is nice. I don’t know whether he will come.

Desert = dry area. Dessert = sweet food after meal. Example: Camels live in the desert. I ate ice cream for dessert.

Who = subject. Whom = object. Example: Who called you? Whom did you meet?

Bring = move toward. Take = move away. Example: Bring your book here. Take this bag outside.

Historic = important in history. Historical = related to history. Example: It was a historic event. I enjoy historical books.

Emigrate = leave a country. Immigrate = enter a country. Example: He emigrated from Pakistan. He immigrated to Canada.

Assure = promise. Ensure = make certain. Insure = provide insurance. Example: I assure you everything is fine. Please ensure the door is locked. I insured my car.