Use the Correct Word for Your
Context
When faced with words that sound or look alike, many
of us have to stop and think (and, I hope, check) which
word is correct for what we are trying to say. Listed
below are 12 commonly confused word pairs with
brief definitions and sentences that will help you
distinguish them from each other.
If you are still unsure of which word to use in a given
situation, check a thesaurus for a synonym that
supports your context. The main objective is to ensure
you communicate your intended meaning correctly.
| Accept |
to take in, receive
(Jean will accept the award for salesperson of the
year.)
|
| Except |
to the exclusion of
(Everyone went to the wedding except Tim, who was
ill.)
|
| Affect |
change
or influence
(The blizzard affected driving conditions.)
|
| Effect |
result or consequence
(What effect will your new job have on your vacation
plans?)
|
| Among |
refers to more than two
choices
(Joseph's estate was divided among his six
grandchildren.)
|
| Between |
refers to only two
(I couldn't decide between cake or ice cream for
dessert.)
|
| Assure |
to give someone
confidence
(Our pilot assured us we would arrive on time.)
|
| Ensure |
to make certain
(Sam left work early to ensure he would miss the late
afternoon commuter rush.)
|
| Insure |
to protect against loss
(Kathy wants to insure her home against flood
damage.)
|
| Compliment |
praise
(Lisa appreciated Gary's compliment about her
presentation.)
|
| Complement |
completing or supplementing
something
(Sam's tie complemented his suit handsomely.)
|
| Continual |
intermittent, but frequently
repeated
(The continual breakdown of the air
conditioner during the heat wave was unbearable.)
|
| Continuous |
without interruption
(The
water flows continuously from the spring.)
|
