Confused Pairs of WordsThere are a lot of words in English that look or sound alike but have very different meanings, such as affect and effect or advise and advice. It’s easy to get them confused.Here’s a quick-reference list of pairs of words that regularly cause people problems.

Word 1 Meaning Word 2 Meaningaccept to agree to receive or do except not includingadvice recommendations about what to do advise to recommend somethingaffect to change or make a difference to effect a result; to bring about a resultall together all in one place, all at once altogether completely; on the wholealong moving or extending horizontally on a long referring to something of great lengthalready by the time specified or before all ready completely preparedamong refers to three or more objects or people between refers to two objects or peopleanyone Not specified any one refers to a specific person or objectborn having started life borne carriedbrake a device for stopping a vehicle; to stop a vehicle break to separate into pieces; a pause

Can refers to ability may refers to permissioncereal a breakfast food made from grains serial happening in a seriescompare to point out resemblances compare with point out differencescomplement to add to so as to improve; an addition that

improves somethingcompliment to praise or express approval; an admiring

remarkcouncil a group of people who manage or advise counsel advice; to adviseensure to make certain that something will happen insure to provide compensation if a person dies or

property is damagedenvelop to cover or surround envelope a paper container for a letterloose to unfasten; to set free lose to be deprived of; to be unable to findmeter a measuring device metre a metric unit; rhythm in versepole a long, slender piece of wood poll voting in an electionpractice the use of an idea or method; the work or

business of a doctor, dentist, etc.practise to do something repeatedly to gain skill; to

do something regularlyprincipal most important; the head of a school principle a fundamental rule or beliefsight the ability to see site a location

To/Too/Two“To” is a preposition or part of an infinitive. It introduces a prepositional phrase or comes before a verb. It often answers the questionwhere? “Too” is an adverb meaning also or very.“Two” is an adjective; it is the name of a number.Quite/Quit/Quiet “Quite” is an adverb meaning completely, very, or entirely. It rhymes with “fight.”“Quit” is a verb meaning stop or cease. It rhymes with “sit.”“Quiet” is an adjective meaning calm, silent, or noiseless. As a verb, it means soothe or calm. As a noun, it means Peace/Piece “Peace” is a noun meaning tranquility.“Piece” as a noun means division or creation. As a verb, it means patch, repair.Weak/Week “Weak” is an adjective meaning flimsy, frail, or powerless.“Week” is a noun meaning a period of seven days.Which/Witch “Which” is a pronoun dealing with choice. As an adverb, it introduces a subordinate (less important) clause.“Witch” is a noun meaning sorceress or enchantress (a female sorcerer or magician).By/Buy/Bye “By” is a preposition used to introduce a phrase.“Buy” is a verb meaning purchase; as a noun, it means bargain or deal.“Bye” is an interjection used in place of goodbye.Dear/Deer “Dear” is an adjective meaning valued or loved.“Deer” is a noun referring to an animal.Weather/Whether “Weather” is a noun referring to the condition outside.“Whether” is an adverb used when referring to a possibility.Than/Then “Than” is a conjunctive word used to make a comparison.“Then” is an adverb telling when or meaning next.Loose/Lose/Loss “Loose” is an adjective meaning free, unrestrained, or not tight. It rhymes with “goose.”“Lose” is a verb meaning misplace, to be defeated or fail to keep. It rhymes with “shoes.”

“Loss” is a noun meaning defeat, downturn, or the opposite of victory or gain. It rhymes with “toss.”