Confusing Words
Some English words are easy to confuse because they sound the same, look similar, or have similar spelling but different meanings. You learn them by practice.
Same sound, different spelling
These words are homophones: they sound the same (or almost the same), but have different spellings and meanings.
- peace – a state without war
but piece – a part of something - break – damage or separate into pieces
but brake – a device used to slow or stop a vehicle - career – your working life
but carrier – a person or company that carries or transports something - advice – an opinion about what someone should do (noun)
but advise – to tell or recommend what someone should do (verb)
Similar spelling, different meaning
Some words are confusing because they look very similar, but their meanings are different.
- affect – influence
and effect – a result - stationary – not moving
and stationery – paper, pens and other writing materials - personal – belonging to a particular person
and personnel – employees - principle – a rule or belief
and principal – most important; or the head of a school - beside – next to
and besides – in addition to - bear – tolerate or accept something unpleasant
and bare – not covered - lose – no longer have something
and loose – not tight or fixed - discreet – careful and private
and discrete – separate and distinct
Compare:
- The disease affects the heart.
X The effect on her health was immediate. - a stationery shop
X a stationary bike
