Peace Be Upon You Frequently Confused Words The word pairs listed below are often confused, either because their pronunciations are similar or because there is only a shade of
The word pairs listed below are often confused, either because their pronunciations are similar or because there is only a shade of difference in their meanings
accelerate, exhilarate
accelerate: to move faster
exhilarate: to invigorate
accept, except
accept: to receive
except: to exclude
adapt, adopt
adapt: to change in response to a situation or circumstance
adopt: to take on or make something one’s own
adhere, cohere
adhere: to stick to or by something
cohere: to stick two or more things together
arbitrate, mediate
arbitrate: to make a judgment in a dispute
mediate: to settle a dispute by helping the parties reach a decision
ascribe, subscribe
ascribe: to credit to a specific cause
subscribe: to endorse or approve something
assume, presume
assume: to take for granted without any evidence
presume: to take for granted without evidence to the contrary
assure, ensure, insure
assure: to remove doubt (used with reference to a person or animal)
ensure: to make certain
insure: to make certain, or to guarantee against risk
avocation, vocation
avocation: a hobby
vocation: a profession or calling
avoid, evade
avoid: to stay clear of
evade: to elude
beside, besides
beside: next to
besides: in addition
biannual, biennial
biannual: twice a year
biennial: every two years
blatant, flagrant
blatant: conspicuously offensive
flagrant: extremely offensive or reprehensible
burglary, robbery
burglary: breaking into a building with the intent to steal
robbery: taking property from a person by threat or force