What are Commonly Confused Pairs?
Some pairs of words may not be exact homophones but are still easily mixed up if they have similar pronunciations, spellings, and/or meanings.
Examples of Commonly Confused Pairs
Some examples of commonly confused pairs would be the following:
Between / Among
Between: Used in comparison of two items.
– Have you decided between the brownie sundae and the banana split?
Among: Used in comparison of three or more items.
– There must be enough change among the three of us to get soda from the vending machine.
Lie / Lay
Lie: To recline or rest in a flat position. It does not take a direct object.
– I need to lie down for a while.
Lay: To place something down. It requires a direct object.
– Please lay the book on the table.
Compliment / Complement
Compliment: A polite expression of praise or admiration.
– She gave me a nice compliment on my dress.
Complement: Something that completes or goes well with something.
– The wine is a perfect complement to the meal.
Principal / Principle
Principal: The head of a school or the main or most important part of something.
– The school principal gave a speech.
Principle: A fundamental truth or proposition serving as the foundation for belief or action.
– Honesty is an important principle in life.
Elicit / Illicit
Elicit: To draw out a response or reaction.
– The teacher tried to elicit answers from the students.
Illicit: Forbidden by law, rules, or custom.
– He was arrested for his involvement in illicit activities.
Farther / Further
Farther: Refers to physical distance.
– We walked farther than we planned.
Further: Refers to a greater degree, extent, or time.
– We need to discuss this further.
Lose / Loose
Lose: To be unable to find or retain something.
– Be careful not to lose your keys.
Loose: Not tight or securely fastened.
– The screws on the chair are loose.
Be sure to learn these commonly confused pairs so that you understand how to correctly apply them in your writing.
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Can your students apply commonly confused pairs correctly in their writing?
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