Thousands of words are added to the English dictionary every year. Memorising words and their meanings can be a challenge since there are many words that look and sound similar but have very different meanings (these words are also known as homophones). So it’s no surprise that even native English speakers find them confusing!
Below we’ve provided a list of some commonly confused words in the English language, along with their meaning and how to use them in a sentence. Why not take a look and see if you know the differences?
- Dessert vs Desert
Dessert - A sweet dish generally served at the end of a main meal.
“My favourite dessert is ice cream. What’s yours?”
Desert - As a noun, this refers to a dry, sandy region or any wasteland. The verb form on the other hand means to abandon or leave.
“The man spent days lost in the desert with almost no access to water.”
“I am not going to desert you.”
- Affect vs Effect
Affect - This verb means to act on or change someone/something.
“Try not to let your emotions affect your decision making”
Effect - The noun form of this word refers to the change which is a result or consequence of an action or a particular feeling or mood created by something. Whilst the verb form means to cause something to happen.
“Her strict workout routine had an immediate effect on her weight.”
“Sunny weather generally has a positive effect on people’s mood and wellbeing.”
- Devise vs Device
Devise - This verb means to plan or invent with careful thought.
“The new software will allow users to devise their own personalised calendar.”
Device - This noun refers to a piece of equipment used for a specific purpose.
“The store sells different electronic devices such as tablets, mobile phones, and laptops.”
- Formally vs Formerly
Formally - This adverbial form of the word ‘formal’ is used when something is done in a formal manner and also means ‘officially’.
“They formally introduced the new Department Head during the company event held the other night.”
Formerly - This comes from the word ‘former’ and means ‘previously’ or ‘in the past’.
“Australia was formerly known as New Holland.”
- Eminent vs Imminent
Eminent - This describes something or someone that stands out from the others or ‘distinguished’ or ‘unimpeachable.’
“The company is expecting the arrival of an eminent Digital Marketing specialist.”
Imminent - This word describes something that is about to happen very soon. It means ‘certain and very near’ or ‘impending.’
“Without some sort of support from the management, the closing of the project is imminent.”
- Loose vs Lose
Loose - This word can function as an adjective (not firmly or tightly fixed in place; not fitting tightly), a verb (to free from restraint), an adverb (in a loose manner) and less commonly as a noun (the release of an arrow from a bow).
“The missing girl was last seen at the grocery wearing a pair of tattered jeans and a loose white shirt.”
“The hounds were let loose to avoid trespassers from entering the property.”
“The item was damaged because the box was loosely packed.”
Lose - This word typically functions as a verb with meanings such as “to undergo defeat”, “to become unable to find [something]”, and “to be deprived of or cease to retain [something.]”
“I don’t want to lose this potential client to our rival company.”
“I tend to lose my keys when I’m outside, that's why I don’t bring them with me.”
“I’m starting to lose my sense of taste and smell because of COVID.”
- Medium vs Median
Medium - This can mean something that is of middle size when compared to things that are larger and smaller. It can also refer to a way of cooking meat or fish so that it is cooked in the middle. It also refers to a form or system of communication.
“The shirt is available in small, medium, and large sizes.”
“I prefer my steak medium instead of well-done.”
“Social media is an effective medium for advertising.”
Median - This refers to the middle number in a sorted list of numbers.
“What is the median price of homes in this area?”
- Personal vs Personnel
Personal - Used as an adjective with many meanings, including “of, relating to, or affecting a particular person”
“I was merely expressing my personal opinion.”
“Avoid sharing very personal matters during job interviews.”
Personnel - Refers to the people who are employed in a company or organisation.
“The maintenance personnel came in today to replace the light bulbs.”
- Plain vs Plane
Plain - This can mean a number of things such as lacking ornament or undecorated; having no pretensions or not remarkable or special; easy to understand.
“The room was plain and basic.”
“The instructions were plain and simple.”
Plane - This can be used as a shortened version of the word ‘aeroplane’ and can also be used as an adjective (completely level or flat), noun (a level of existence, consciousness, or development),
“It’s more comfortable and quicker to travel by plane.”
“In order to arrive at an answer, you need to define two points along the vertical plane.”
- Quiet vs Quite
Quiet - Means with little or no sound when used as an adjective.
“You need to remain quiet when you are studying in a library.”
Quite - This means to greater extent or degree; completely, entirely.
“I’m quite happy with the marketing pitch which was presented during the meeting earlier.”
- Right vs Rite vs Write
Right - This means correct, just, good or proper. This also refers to locations or directions as well as a moral or legal entitlement to have or obtain something or to act in a certain way.
“I hope I’m doing the right thing.”
Rite - This refers to a religious or other solemn ceremony or act.
“The blessing of the bread and wine is a rite reserved for ordained church leaders.”
Write - Meaning to form (words) by inscribing characters or symbols on a surface.
“Before emails and messaging apps were invented, people used to write letters as a form of communication.”
- Stationary vs Stationery
Stationary - Refers to something that is not moving or is not intended to be moved.
“If you’re wary of going outside to jog or workout, you can invest in a stationary bike or treadmill.”
Stationery - This refers to materials such as paper, pens, and ink used for writing or typing.
“She frequents the stationery shop because she loves buying different kinds of writing materials.”
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