Have you ever come across such words that might appear to have similar meanings but, in reality, have entirely different meanings? Unlike many other languages, in English, you will find many homophones or other words that are often misspelt or used in the wrong context. So to avoid such confusion, one must know the difference between such words. If someone wants to speak and write correct English, they need to learn the difference between such words.
So, where to find the difference between such words? It’s not possible to look up every word’s meaning and how they are different from each other. BYJU’S gives you various English Difference Between Articles that you can go through and find out how commonly confused words are different from each other. This article will also give you a list of frequently confused words and will also guide you on how they are different from one another. Let’s have a look.
List of Easily Confused Words
- Except and Accept – One of the most frequently used and confused words is ‘accept’ and ‘except’. There are times when students, instead of using the word ‘accept’, end up using the word ‘except’, thus changing the meaning of the sentence. The term ‘accept’ is a verb that means to welcome or receive something. For example, “Joey was accepted in the college.” Whereas when you use the word ‘except’, it’s used as a conjunction and means other than the existing thing or excluding. For example, “ Everyone went to the party except Ross.”
- Effect and Affect – You might have seen that students often misuse the terms ‘effect’ and ‘affect’. Most of them have the idea that these terms have similar meanings and can be used interchangeably. But that’s not the case! The term ‘affect’ is used as a verb that means to make a difference or influence. For example, “The tornado affected the village.” Whereas the ‘effect’ is used as a noun and simply means to result or consequences. For example, “This medicine has many side effects.”
- Shall and Will – Confused when to use the word ‘shall’ or ‘will’ in a sentence? When you use ‘will’ in a sentence, it means to emphasise actions/events that will take place in the future. ‘Will’ is used as a helping/auxiliary verb in sentences. For example, “Sheldon will come to the library.” Whereas when you use the word ‘shall’ though used as a helping verb, it is used when one wants to suggest or refer to things or ask a question. For example, “Shall I come by evening to meet you?” If students want to know more about the difference between shall and will,they can visit BYJU’S website and go through the difference.
- Right and Write – How do you know what you ‘write’ is ‘right’? Confused, isn’t it! Well, many of us still make this silly mistake of using these words interchangeably at times. The word ‘right’ simply means just or correct. For example, “He made the right decision.” Whereas the word ‘write’ means to pen down or record. For example, “Can you write a speech for me?” Words like these are known as homophones as they have the same pronunciation but absolutely different meanings.
These were just some commonly confused words that students should know about. A student who has a clear understanding of such commonly confused words has a better grip over the English language than other students. Knowing the difference between such words will help them to use the words correctly in the proper context. BYJU’S offer various articles on differences between words for students.
