Confusing word pairs
Choose correctly between look-alike words such as affect and effect.
English has many words that look or sound almost the same but do very different jobs. This lesson pairs the most troublesome ones so you can choose correctly by checking meaning and part of speech.
Confusing word pairs are words that look or sound alike but differ in meaning, spelling or part of speech.
Examples
- Lack of sleep can affect your memory.
- The new timetable had a good effect on attendance.
- Please advise me on which flat to rent.
- The car remained stationary at the signal.
- Honesty is a principle my parents taught me.
- Everyone came except Mohan.
How it works
Check the part of speech
Many pairs split into a noun and a verb. In British spelling, advice, practice and effect are nouns, while advise, practise and affect are verbs. After a, the or some, you probably need the noun.
I must practise my speech, because regular practice builds confidence.
Use a memory hook
Tie a letter to the meaning. Stationery has an e, like envelope, and a principle is a rule.
Buy some stationery before the meeting.
Listen for sound-alikes
Some pairs sound nearly the same: lose/loose, accept/except, compliment/complement. Ask yourself what you mean: receiving or leaving out? praise or completion?
She accepted the offer at once.
Quick reference
| Word | Meaning and part of speech | Example |
|---|---|---|
| affect | verb: to influence | Noise affects sleep. |
| effect | noun: a result | The medicine had no effect. |
| accept | verb: to receive or agree to | I accept your apology. |
| except | preposition: leaving out | All except Raju passed. |
| compliment | noun or verb: praise | She paid me a compliment. |
| complement | noun or verb: something that completes | The scarf complements her sari. |
| lose | verb: to misplace or be defeated | Don't lose the ticket. |
| loose | adjective: not tight | The screw is loose. |
Common mistakes
✕Can you give me an advise?
✓Can you give me some advice?
Advice is an uncountable noun; advise is the verb.
✕The strike will effect train services.
✓The strike will affect train services.
After will you need the verb affect.
✕Everyone was invited accept me.
✓Everyone was invited except me.
Except means 'leaving out'; accept means 'receive'.
Worked example
Exercise 1
Choose the correct word.
I bought pens from the ___ shop. (stationery / stationary)
✓I bought pens from the stationery shop.
Stationery means writing materials; stationary means not moving.
Unlock practice for this lesson
- Quick check with 5 questions and solutions
- 7 interactive exercises, from easy to hard, checked as you go
- How to use this in your own writing
- Progress tracking and a certificate when you finish
Already Premium?
Practice
7 exercises in this lesson
Practice is part of Premium. Lesson 1 is free if you want to try the format first.