Confusing Words That You’ll Never Confuse Again
1. Pretend or Prevent:
Pretend: (Verb) To behave as if something is true when you know that it is not, especially in order to deceive people or as a game.
Ex. He isn’t really sick – He’s only pretending.
Prevent: (Verb) To stop something from happening or someone from doing something.
Ex. The vaccine will prevent the spread of the virus.
2. Loose or Lose:
Loose: (Adj.) Not firmly held or fastened in place.
Ex. This nail is loose. Let me tighten it.
Lose: (Verb) To no longer have something because you don't know where it is.
Ex. I always lose my car keys.
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3. Probably or Properly:
Probably: (Adv.): Almost certainly.
Ex. I’ll probably come weather permitting.
Properly: (Adv.) Correctly, or exactly.
Ex. My phone isn’t working properly.
4. Then or Than
Then: (Adv.) Next or after that.
Ex. Heat the pan, then add the meat.
Than: (Prep. / Conj.) Used to join two parts of a comparison.
Ex. Jack is taller than Jane.
5. Were or Wear
Were: (Verb.) The past form of “be”.
Ex. They were here last night.
Wear: (Verb) To have clothing, jewelry, etc. on your body.
Ex. I wear my glasses all the time.
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6. Your or You’re:
Your: (A determiner) Belonging to the person you are talking to.
Ex. Is this your book?
You’re: The short form of "you are".
Ex. You're welcome.
7. Breath or Breathe:
Breath: (Noun) The air that goes into and out of your lungs.
Ex. The doctor asked me to take a deep breath.
Breathe: (Verb) To move air into and out of the lungs.
Ex. Let's go out for some fresh air. I can't breathe.
8. Affect or Effect:
Affect: (Verb) To cause a change in someone or something.
Ex. The spread of the virus affected our business negatively.
Effect: (Noun) The result of a particular influence.
Ex. Does the medicine have any side effects?
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9. Accept or Except:
Accept: (Verb) To agree to take something.
Ex. Did you accept the job offer?
Except: (Pre. / Conj.) Not including; but not.
Ex. It's cool and quiet everywhere except in the kitchen.
10. It’s or Its:
It’s: Short form of "It is"
Ex. It’s raining now.
It’s: Short form of "It has"
Ex. It’s been a wonderful day
Its: The Possessive form of "It"
Ex. The cat drank its milk.
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