1. Commonly misused words
Week 2

2. Allusion v.s. Illusion
Allusion (n.): a reference to something
Example: Taylor Swift makes an
allusion to The Tragedy of Romeo
and Juliet in her song “Love Story.”
Illusion (n.): a misconception or false impression
Example: The mirrors at carnivals give me the illusion that I am much taller and fatter than I am.

3. Break v.s. Brake Break (v.): to damage something
(n.): the damage itself
(n.): to take time away from
Example: My mom warned me that I
would break my arm if I wasn’t careful.
Brake (n.): a device that causes something to slow down
Example: I had to purchase a new set of brakes for my car.

4. By v.s. Buy v.s. Bye
By (prep.): near or next to Example: The park is by the lake.
Buy (v.): to purchase
(n.): the purchase itself
Example: Want to go buy some new
clothes with me?
Bye (abbreviation): a
form of “goodbye”
Example: Say “bye” to your
father.