Confusing Words in English with Explanation
Set 2 Set 3
Here is a list of confusing words that often appear in competitive exams, along with their meanings, explanations, and example sentences:
Affect vs. Effect
Affect (verb): To influence something.
Example: The news of his resignation will significantly affect the company's stock price.
Effect (noun): A result or outcome.
Example: The new law had a positive effect on the economy.
Compliment vs. Complement
Compliment (noun/verb): A polite expression of praise or admiration.
Example: She received a compliment on her dress.
Complement (noun/verb): Something that completes or goes well with something.
Example: The red wine perfectly complements the steak.
Elicit vs. Illicit
Elicit (verb): To draw out a response, answer, or fact from someone.
Example: The teacher tried to elicit the correct answer from the students.
Illicit (adjective): Forbidden by law, rules, or custom.
Example: He was arrested for his involvement in illicit activities.
Principal vs. Principle
Principal (noun/adjective): The head of a school or the most important element.
Example: The principal of the school gave a speech at the assembly.
Principle (noun): A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior.
Example: She is a woman of strong moral principles.
Stationary vs. Stationery
Stationary (adjective): Not moving or not intended to be moved.
Example: The car remained stationary despite the green light.
Stationery (noun): Writing and other office materials.
Example: She bought new stationery for her office.
Allusion vs. Illusion
Allusion (noun): An indirect or passing reference.
Example: The novel is filled with allusions to classical literature.
Illusion (noun): A false idea or belief, or something that deceives the senses.
Example: The magician's act was based on creating illusions.
Ensure vs. Insure
Ensure (verb): To make certain that something will happen.
Example: Measures were taken to ensure the safety of the passengers.
Insure (verb): To provide or arrange insurance for something or someone.
Example: It's important to insure your house against fire and theft.
Precede vs. Proceed
Precede (verb): To come before something in time.
Example: The speech was preceded by a brief introduction.
Proceed (verb): To begin or continue a course of action.
Example: After the break, we will proceed with the meeting.
Advice vs. Advise
Advice (noun): Guidance or recommendations concerning prudent future action.
Example: She gave me some good advice about managing my finances.
Advise (verb): To offer suggestions about the best course of action.
Example: I advise you to follow your doctor's recommendations.
Council vs. Counsel
Council (noun): An advisory, deliberative, or legislative body of people formally constituted and meeting regularly.
Example: The city council meets every Tuesday.
Counsel (noun/verb): Advice, especially given formally; to give advice.
Example: She sought counsel from a lawyer about her legal rights.
Accept vs. Except
Accept (verb): To consent to receive or undertake something.
Example: She accepted the job offer without hesitation.
Except (preposition/conjunction): Not including; other than.
Example: Everyone except John attended the meeting.
Eminent vs. Imminent
Eminent (adjective): Famous and respected within a particular sphere or profession.
Example: The eminent scientist received numerous awards for his research.
Imminent (adjective): About to happen.
Example: The dark clouds signaled that a storm was imminent.
Understanding these word pairs can significantly enhance your precision in language usage, which is critical in competitive exams.
Imply vs. Infer
Imply (verb): To suggest or indicate something indirectly.
Example: Her tone implied that she was not happy with the decision.
Infer (verb): To deduce or conclude information from evidence and reasoning.
Example: From his accent, I inferred that he was from the southern part of the country.
Cite vs. Site vs. Sight
Cite (verb): To quote as evidence or mention as an example.
Example: The researcher cited several studies to support her hypothesis.
Site (noun): A location or place.
Example: The construction site was closed for safety reasons.
Sight (noun): The ability to see; a view or scene.
Example: The sight of the sunset over the mountains was breathtaking.
Appraise vs. Apprise
Appraise (verb): To assess the value or quality of something.
Example: The jeweler appraised the diamond at a high value.
Apprise (verb): To inform or tell someone.
Example: She was apprised of the changes to the schedule via email.
Discreet vs. Discrete
Discreet (adjective): Careful and circumspect in one's speech or actions.
Example: They made discreet inquiries to avoid drawing attention.
Discrete (adjective): Individually separate and distinct.
Example: The course is divided into discrete modules.
Evoke vs. Invoke
Evoke (verb): To bring or recall a feeling, memory, or image to the conscious mind.
Example: The old photographs evoked memories of her childhood.
Invoke (verb): To call on (a deity or spirit) in prayer, or to cite something as an authority.
Example: During the ceremony, they invoked the gods for blessings.
Altogether vs. All Together
Altogether (adverb): Completely; in total.
Example: The proposal was altogether too risky.
All Together (phrase): All in one place or in a group.
Example: They arrived all together in a single bus.
Capital vs. Capitol
Capital (noun/adjective): The most important city in a country or region, usually its seat of government; wealth in the form of money or assets.
Example: Paris is the capital of France.
Capitol (noun): A building where a legislative body meets.
Example: The Capitol building in Washington, D.C., is an iconic symbol of American democracy.
Precede vs. Proceed
Precede (verb): To come before in time or order.
Example: The mayor's speech will precede the performance.
Proceed (verb): To continue or go forward.
Example: After obtaining the necessary permits, we can proceed with the construction.
Flaunt vs. Flout
Flaunt (verb): To display ostentatiously.
Example: She loves to flaunt her designer clothes.
Flout (verb): To openly disregard a rule or convention.
Example: Many people flout the no-smoking regulations.
Imminent vs. Immanent
Imminent (adjective): About to happen.
Example: The storm's arrival was imminent.
Immanent (adjective): Existing or operating within; inherent.
Example: The concept of justice is immanent in many cultures.
Proscribe vs. Prescribe
Proscribe (verb): To forbid, especially by law.
Example: The new policy proscribes the use of mobile phones in the classroom.
Prescribe (verb): To recommend a course of action or treatment.
Example: The doctor prescribed antibiotics for the infection.
Raze vs. Raise
Raze (verb): To completely destroy (a building, town, etc.).
Example: The old warehouse was razed to make way for new apartments.
Raise (verb): To lift or move something to a higher position.
Example: She raised her hand to ask a question.
Than vs. Then
Than (conjunction): Used in comparisons.
Example: She is taller than her brother.
Then (adverb): At that time; next.
Example: Finish your homework, then you can watch TV.
Mastering these word pairs will enhance your precision in language usage, which is crucial for excelling in competitive exams.
Assure vs. Ensure vs. Insure
Assure (verb): To tell someone something positively or confidently to dispel any doubts.
Example: I assure you that the project will be completed on time.
Ensure (verb): To make certain that something happens.
Example: Please ensure that the door is locked before you leave.
Insure (verb): To protect against risk by regularly paying an insurance company.
Example: He decided to insure his car against theft.
Adverse vs. Averse
Adverse (adjective): Preventing success or development; harmful; unfavorable.
Example: The adverse weather conditions caused the event to be canceled.
Averse (adjective): Having a strong dislike of or opposition to something.
Example: She is averse to exercising in the morning.
Eminent vs. Immanent vs. Imminent
Eminent (adjective): Famous and respected within a particular sphere.
Example: The eminent professor was awarded the Nobel Prize.
Immanent (adjective): Existing or operating within; inherent.
Example: He believed that spirituality is immanent in all aspects of life.
Imminent (adjective): About to happen.
Example: The imminent arrival of the storm caused widespread panic.
Conscious vs. Conscience
Conscious (adjective): Aware of and responding to one's surroundings.
Example: She was conscious of the people staring at her.
Conscience (noun): A person's moral sense of right and wrong.
Example: His conscience told him that stealing was wrong.
Empathy vs. Sympathy
Empathy (noun): The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
Example: She showed great empathy towards her friend's difficult situation.
Sympathy (noun): Feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune.
Example: He expressed his sympathy for the victims of the disaster.
Disinterested vs. Uninterested
Disinterested (adjective): Unbiased and impartial.
Example: A disinterested third party was called in to mediate the dispute.
Uninterested (adjective): Not interested; indifferent.
Example: He was uninterested in the topic and soon lost focus.
Respectively vs. Respectfully
Respectively (adverb): In the order given.
Example: The books were placed on the shelf according to their size, small, medium, and large, respectively.
Respectfully (adverb): With deference and respect.
Example: She listened respectfully to his advice.
Convince vs. Persuade
Convince (verb): To cause someone to believe firmly in the truth of something.
Example: I convinced him that the plan was a good one.
Persuade (verb): To cause someone to do something through reasoning or argument.
Example: She persuaded him to join the team.
Imply vs. Infer
Imply (verb): To suggest or hint at something without stating it directly.
Example: Her words implied that she was dissatisfied.
Infer (verb): To deduce or conclude information from evidence and reasoning.
Example: From his expression, I inferred that he was unhappy.
Stationary vs. Stationery
Stationary (adjective): Not moving.
Example: The car remained stationary at the traffic light.
Stationery (noun): Writing materials, like paper, envelopes, and pens.
Example: She purchased some beautiful stationery for her letters.
Appraise vs. Apprise
Appraise (verb): To evaluate the value or quality of something.
Example: The expert appraised the painting at $10,000.
Apprise (verb): To inform or notify someone.
Example: Please apprise me of any changes to the schedule.
Liable vs. Libel
Liable (adjective): Responsible by law; legally answerable.
Example: The company is liable for any damages caused by its product.
Libel (noun): A published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation.
Example: He sued the newspaper for libel.
Elude vs. Allude
Elude (verb): To evade or escape from something or someone.
Example: The criminal managed to elude the police for several weeks.
Allude (verb): To suggest or call attention to indirectly; hint at.
Example: In his speech, he alluded to the company's financial problems.
Precede vs. Proceed
Precede (verb): To come before something in time.
Example: The introduction will precede the main presentation.
Proceed (verb): To begin or continue a course of action.
Example: We will proceed with the plan as discussed.
Dual vs. Duel
Dual (adjective): Consisting of two parts, elements, or aspects.
Example: The car has dual airbags for safety.
Duel (noun): A contest with deadly weapons arranged between two people in order to settle a point of honor.
Example: The two men fought a duel over the insult.
Elicit vs. Illicit
Elicit (verb): To evoke or draw out a response from someone.
Example: The teacher's question elicited a thoughtful response.
Illicit (adjective): Forbidden by law, rules, or custom.
Example: He was involved in illicit trade activities.
Ingenious vs. Ingenuous
Ingenious (adjective): Clever, original, and inventive.
Example: She came up with an ingenious solution to the problem.
Ingenuous (adjective): Innocent and unsuspecting.
Example: His ingenuous nature made him an easy target for scams.
Persecute vs. Prosecute
Persecute (verb): To subject someone to hostility and ill-treatment.
Example: Many people are persecuted for their religious beliefs.
Prosecute (verb): To institute legal proceedings against someone.
Example: The state decided to prosecute the company for environmental violations.
Tortuous vs. Torturous
Tortuous (adjective): Full of twists and turns.
Example: The tortuous road up the mountain was difficult to navigate.
Torturous (adjective): Characterized by extreme pain or suffering.
Example: The prisoners endured torturous conditions.
Perspective vs. Prospective
Perspective (noun): A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something.
Example: From my perspective, the plan seems feasible.
Prospective (adjective): Expected or expecting to be something in the future.
Example: The company is meeting with prospective clients next week.
Understanding these nuanced differences in word meanings and usage can significantly improve your communication skills and performance in competitive exams.
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