COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS

Accept vs. Except  Accept is a verb: “to receive.”  Except may be either a verb meaning “to leave out” or a preposition meaning “excluding.”  John did not accept my advice to talk with his friend.  All of the boys except Joe went to the baseball game after dinner.  Now, write your own sentences with each of these words.

Affect vs. Effect  Affect is a verb: “to influence.”  Effect is a noun: “the result [of an action].”  The illness had a strange effect on everyone who has caught it.  The audience was deeply affected by the actor’s powerful performance.  Now write your own sentence with each of these words.

Advice vs. Advise  Advice is a noun: “suggestion about what to do”  Advise is a verb: “to offer a suggestion about what to do”  The counselor offered her advice on junior courses.  My friend advised me not to eat the salad at lunch.  Now, write your own sentences with each of these words.

All ready vs. Already  All ready: “all prepared”  Already is an adverb: “previously”  The team is all ready for the tournament this weekend.  We have already covered subject/verb agreement.

Allusion vs. Illusion  Allusion is a noun: “reference to something”  Illusion is a noun: “mistaken idea or misleading appearance”  The story contained an allusion to the Bible.  The magician conducted several tricks that were optical illusions.

Between vs. Among  Between: use when referring to two things at a time, even though they may be part of a group consisting of more than two.  Among: when referring to all members of a group rather than to separate individuals in the group.  A strong bond exists between the twins.  We distributed the pamphlets among the crowd.

Complement vs. Compliment  Complement: something that makes whole or complete  Compliment: praise

Counsel, Consul, and Council  Counsel: noun: advice; verb: to give advice  Council: a group called together to accomplish a job  Consul: a representative of a foreign country  The teacher counsels me about studying for tests.  The council of students voted to have a dance.  The American consul traveled to Africa.

Councilor vs. Counselor  Councilor: a member of a council  Counselor: a person who gives advice  The councilor for the city voted against the new road project.  The counselor advised us on which classes to take.

Formally vs. Formerly  Formally: properly; according to strict rules  Formerly: previously; in the past  The diplomat from Japan will be formally introduced at the luncheon.  Joe was formerly a member of the band.

Emigrate vs. Immigrate  Emigrate: to leave a country or a region to settle elsewhere  Immigrate: to come into a country or a region to settle there  The students emigrated Canada to study engineering.  The students immigrated to the US to study engineering.

Rise vs. Raise  Rise: to go up or to get up  Raise: to lift up or to bring up  I will rise to say the pledge in the mornings.  Please raise the window to let in the fresh air.

Weather vs. Whether  Weather: conditions outdoors  Whether: conjunction used to introduce alternatives  The weather needs to get warm.  I am not sure whether the weekend will be warm or not.

Adjectives vs. Adverbs  Good/Well: Adjective/Adverb  Slow/Slowly: Adjective/Adverb  The movie is good.  I don’t feel well.  The turtle walked slowly.  The turtle is slow.