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WORDS DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLESa lot

allot

A lot is two words meaning "mu!" A #ot o$ %o#ogna was #e$t oer 

$rom t!e 'art()

a whileawhile

A while is two words meaning "a s!ort 'eriod o$ time" I wi## meet(ou in a w!i#e)

a

an

and

A is an inde$inite arti#e to %e used %e$ore nouns %eginning wit! a

onsonant a '!otogra'!* a tree* a !orse)

An is to %e used %e$ore nouns %eginning wit! a owe# +or owe#

sound, an a''#e* an !our* an e#e'!ant)

And  is a on-untion used %etween nouns in a #ist A %#an.et and

 'ini %as.et are needed $or t!e a$ternoon)

accede

exceed

Accede means "to agree or a##ow" /iram 0!ea'#( $ina##(acceded  to

ae'ting t!e 'residen( o$ t!e om'an()

Exceed means "to go %e(ond* to sur'ass" T!e amount o$ a#o!o# in

!is %#ood exceeded  t!e 'reious reord)

accept

except

Accept means "to ta.e wi##ing#(" Miss Deeds accepted  t!e u' o$ 

!ot tea een wit!out a sauer)

Except is a 're'osition meaning "e1#uding" Eer(one was

disa''ointed wit! t!e 'art( except  Ida 2oodtime)

adapt

adept

adopt

Adapt means "to ad-ust" Minnie Mi#es 3ui.#( ada'ted to #iing

awa( $rom !ome)

Adept means "s.i##ed" Lui##e is ade't at s'ea.ing #anguages)

Adopt means to "ae't as (our own" It was di$$iu#t to ado't on#(one 'u''( $rom t!e anima# s!e#ter)

adverse

averse

Adverse means "un$aora%#e* !osti#e" T!ose driing in aderse

winter onditions ma( %e 'utting t!emse#es at ris.)

Averse means "unwi##ing or re'e##ed" S!e was immediate#( aerse to

t!e idea)

advice

advise

Advice  is a noun meaning "an o'inion gien wit! t!e intention o$ 

!e#'ing" M( mot!er sti## gies me adie een t!oug! I4m 56 (ears

o#d)

Advise is a er% meaning "to gie ounse# or adie" T!e

meteoro#ogist adised #isteners to sta( indoors %eause o$ t!e

e1treme#( o#d tem'eratures)

affect

effect

Affect  is most o$ten used as a er% meaning "to in$#uene" T!e

 'resident4s s'ee! a$$eted !is iews o$ t!e u'oming e#etion)

T!e er% effect means "to ause" 7atting !er e(es so $#irtatious#(

e$$eted a strong desire in Rat!%one to em%rae Mira%e##e)

aid

aide

Aid is !e#' or assistane gien Eer( 0!ristmas t!e ommunit(

gies aid to t!ose #ess $ortunate)

An aide is a 'erson w!o !e#'s Frieda 2og! wor.ed $ie (ears as a

tea!er4s aide)

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airs

heirs

Airs re$ers to sno%%is! and arti$iia# %e!aior Portia Rad#($$e 'ut

on airs at t!e $ine dinner 'art( -ust %eause s!e !ad a $ew diamonds)

Heirs are 'eo'#e w!o* %eause t!e( are $ami#(* wi## in!erit an estate

or tit#e)

all rightalright

All right is a '!rase meaning "eer(t!ing is rig!t" Is a## rig!t !ere8Alright is a sing#e word meaning "O9" Is eer(t!ing a#rig!t !ere8

all together

altogether

All together is a''#ied to 'eo'#e or t!ings t!at are %eing treated as a

w!o#e We a#wa(s !ad $un w!en we were a## toget!er) To dou%#e

!e. t!is usage* tr( se'arating t!e two words We a## !ad $un w!en

were toget!er)

Altogether is an ader% t!at means "om'#ete#( or tota##(" :sing a

$#as!#ig!t in %ed is an a#toget!er new a''roa! to reading)

all ways

always

All ways means "%( eer( means or met!od" Dir. tried a## wa(s to

naigate t!e storm)

Always means "$oreer" Sue St) Marie a#wa(s res'onded a#m#(

during emergen( situations)

allude

elude

Allude means "to suggest indiret#(" Letiia an4t s'ea. to !er 

!us%and wit!out a##uding to !is a$$air wit! Mart!a Snodgrass)

Elude means "to dodge or esa'e" Serious re#ations!i's a#wa(s

seemed to e#ude !im)

allusion

illusion

An allusion is a su%t#e re$erene or !int Rita 7oo. made an a##usion

to t!e most reent noe# s!e read in our onersation (esterda()

An illusion is a dee'tion* mirage* or a wi#d idea T!e tea!er said

s!e !ad no i##usions a%out !ow mu! wor. tea!ing demands)almost

most

Almost means "near#( a##" A#most a## m( $riends !ae graduated

$rom o##ege %( now)

Most is su'er#atie o$ more* meaning "t!e greatest or to t!e !ig!est

degree" 0!u. is t!e most om'uter sa( gu( I .now* or 0!u. 

oo.ed a most de#iious su''er)

aloud

allowed

Aloud means "s'ea.ing so t!at someone e#se an !ear (ou" Read

t!is 'aragra'! a#oud)

Allowed means "!aing 'ermission" /is %oss a##owed !im to ta.e

t!e wee.end o$$)

already, all

ready

Already  is an ader% t!at indiates an ation is om'#eted %( a

ertain time /ers!e# !ad a#read( $inis!ed t!at w!o#e 'ie)

All ready means "eer(t!ing is om'#ete#( 're'ared" T!e !i#dren

were a## read( and %und#ed u' warm#( to go aro#ing on t!e snow(

eening)

alternately

alternatively

Alternately means "ta.ing turns" We 'add#ed a#ternate#( so neit!er 

o$ us wou#d get too tired)

Alternatively means "as an o'tion" Instead o$ going %( train* we

ou#d !ae gone a#ternatie#( %( ar)

ambiguous   Ambiguous is desri%es a '!rase or at wit! more t!an one meaning*or one t!at is un#ear T!e ending o$ t!e s!ort stor( is am%iguous; we

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ambivalent don4t .now i$ !e died or ontinue !is -ourne()

Ambivalent means "unertaint( and !aing on$#iting attitudes and

$ee#ings" /e was am%ia#ent as to w!i! andidate to ote $or)

amiable

amicable

Amiable re$ers to a 'erson w!o is $riend#(* good<natured* and

 '#easant Susan was er( amia%#e and #i.ed immediate#()Amicable means "$riend#( and 'eaea%#e"* and is used to desri%e

agreements or re#ations!i's %etween grou's or 'eo'#e A$ter (ears o$ 

disagreement* t!e two ountries ame to an amia%#e agreement)

among

between

Among is used $or t!ree or more S!ir#e( !ad to !oose among t!ree

uniersities s!e mig!t attend)

Between is used $or two t!ings I ou#dn4t deide %etween %#ue and

green)

amoral

immoral

Amoral means "!aing no 'rini'#es at a##* good or %ad" Per( is

tota##( amora#; !e is eit!er !e#'ing ot!ers or !e#'ing !imse#$ at t!eir 

e1'ense)Immoral means "%ad* #a.ing good 'rini'#es" Eer(t!ing !is

 %rot!er does !arms ot!ers w!et!er it %ene$its !im or not)

amount

number

Amount is used wit! unounta%#e and a%strat nouns a #arge amount

o$ mone(* amount o$ wor.* amount o$ !a''iness or amount o$ dirt)

Number is used wit! ounta%#e and onrete '#ura# e1'ressions a

num%er o$ 'eo'#e* a num%er o$ attem'ts* a num%er o$ noe#s* a

num%er o$ tria#s)

amused

bemused

Amused is w!en somet!ing is entertaining T!e !i#dren were

amused %( wat!ing t!e .ittens '#a()Bemused means "%ewi#dered" or "#ost in t!oug!t" 2eorge was

 %emused %( t!e une1'eted ending to t!e moie)

annual

annul

Annual means "(ear#(" We must 'a( an annua# ta1)

Annul means "to ma.e oid or ina#id" T!e( want to annu# t!e

marriage)

any one

anyone

Any one means "an( one 'erson" An( one o$ (ou ma( go* %ut not a##

o$ (ou)

Anyone means "an(%od(* an( 'erson at a##" An(one an !ew gum

and wa#. at t!e same time)

anyway

anywhere

nowhere

anyways

anywheres

nowheres

Anyway* anywhere* and nowhere are t!e orret $orms)

apart

a part

Apart is an ader% meaning "in 'iees" M( '#an $or m( aation $e##

a'art)

A part is a noun meaning "one setion o$" A 'art o$ m( !eart #e$tw!en !e did)

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appraise

apprise

Appraise is to assess or estimate t!e wort! o$ to a''raise a diamond)

Apprise is to in$orm or noti$( t!e o$$ier a''rised us o$ our rig!ts)

arcane

archaic

Arcane re$ers to t!ings .nown and understood %( $ew 'eo'#e

Amanda L(nn tea!es arane t!eories o$ modern musi at t!e o##ege)

Archaic  re$ers to t!ings er(* er( o#d and outdated T!e O1$ordEng#is! Ditionar( ontains man( words t!at are ar!ai)

as

lie

As ma( %e used as a on-untion t!at introdue de'endent #auses

2eorge ta#.s as !is $at!er does) In$orma##(* it ma( a#so %e used as a

 're'osition in om'aratie onstrutions #i.e =ean<0#aude is as

$orget$u# as me +or as I am,)

!ie is a 're'osition is $o##owed %( a noun or 'ronoun 2eorge #oo.s

#i.e !is mot!er) It ma( a#so %e used as an ad-etie meaning

"simi#ar" 2eorge and I !ae #i.e minds)

ascentassent

Ascent is an u'ward moement Leo4s asent to t!e 'residen( o$ t!e

om'an( ame s#ow#()

Assent means "to agree to" 2reta ou#d not %egin t!e 'ro-et un#ess

management assented)

ascetic

aesthetic

An ascetic is a 'erson w!o renounes a## materia# om$orts* o$ten $or 

re#igious deotion t!e (oung man #ead !is aseti #i$est(#e des'ite !is

 'arents4 '#ans $or !im) It an a#so %e used as an ad-etie Et!an Asia

#ed an aseti #i$est(#e)

Aesthetic re$ers to t!e '!i#oso'!( o$ %eaut( or t!e '#easing 3ua#ities

o$ somet!ing T!e statuette Leander reated was #a.ing in aest!eti

3ua#ities)

ascribe

describe

Ascribe means "to attri%ute to" S!e asri%ed !er $ee#ings o$ -ea#ous(

to inseurit()

"escribe means "to s!ow w!at somet!ing is %( drawing a 'iture

wit! words" Desri%e in detai# w!at t!e man #oo.ed #i.e)

aspersion

dispersion

Aspersion  is s#ander* a damaging remar. T!e am'aign was $i##ed

wit! one as'ersion a$ter anot!er)

"ispersion is t!e at o$ sattering T!e dis'ersion o$ seeds was

irregu#ar %eause !e sowed t!e seeds %( !and)

assentascent

See asent* assent)

assistance

assistants

Assistance is !e#' or aid t!e nurses gae assistane to t!e 'atients)

Assistants are more t!an one assistant* a 'erson w!o gies !e#' t!e

emergen( room assistants were read( to !e#' an(one w!o ame

t!roug! t!e door) +See a#so  patienceand  patients),

assure

ensure

insure

Assure means "to guarantee" /e assured !er it was a 3ua#it( item)

Ensure means "to ma.e sure %( dou%#e !e.ing" T!e ustodian

ensured t!e doors to t!e s!oo# were #o.ed at nig!t)

Insure means "to 'roide insurane" It is wise to insure (our !ouse

against $#ood* $ire* or t!e$t)

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auger

augur

An auger is a too# used $or digging !o#es I$ (ou want to ie $is!* (ou

need to $irst dri## a !o#e in t!e ie wit! an auger)

Augur means "to 'redit* $oreast" Lero(4s in!eritane augured

!a''iness $or !im in t!e $uture)

bad

badly

Bad  is an ad-etie used a$ter er%s #i.e am* $ee#* is* seem* and

 %eome T!e( $e#t %ad) +:sing %ad#( !ere wou#d mean t!at t!eir s.i##

at $ee#ing is 'oor,)

Badly is an ader% used a$ter ot!er er%s T!e( '#a(ed %ad#() 7ad#(

an a#so mean "great#(" T!e( needed $ood %ad#()

baited

bated

Baited usua##( re$ers to tra's 7aiting deer in order to !unt t!em is

i##ega# in most states)

Bated is se#dom used %ut means "redued* a%ated" =essia %ated !er 

 'ae to #et !er running mate at! u')

bare

bear

Bare means "na.ed" Wa#.ing in grass wit! %are $eet is re$res!ing)

Bear is t!e anima#* and a#so means "to arr(" S!erman must %ear t!e %urden o$ $#un.ing mat! twie)

ba#aar

bi#arre

Ba#aar is an e1!i%ition* mar.et* or $air T!e Saturda( morning %a>aar 

is wort! seeing een i$ (ou %u( not!ing)

Bi#arre means "weird and unwor#d#(" 7arr( to#d us a %i>arre stor(

#ast nig!t)

belief 

believe

Belief  is a noun /e !ad strong %e#ie$s)

Believe is a er% S!e %e#iees s!e an do an(t!ing)

beside

besides

Beside means "ne1t to" P#ae t!e dis!es %eside t!e sin.)

Besides is an ader% or 're'osition t!at means "a#so* additiona##(" Iwou#d en-o( going on a aation %esides)

better

had better

Had better is t!e orret $orm* used w!en giing adie t!at !ints at

an undesira%#e onse3uene i$ not $o##owed ?ou !ad %etter go to t!e

dotor) Don4t #eae out have)

between

among

See among* %etween)

biannual

biennial

Biannual is twie in one (ear M( tri' to t!e dentist is a %iannua#

eent)

Biennial means "eer( two (ears" T!ese $#owers are %iennia#; t!e( %#oom eer( two (ears)

bimonthly

semimonthly

Bimonthly  means "eer( two mont!s" We order $rom t!e o<o'

 %imont!#()

$emimonthly means "twie a mont! +%iwee.#(," We !ae our !ouse

#eaned semimont!#()

blithe

lithe

Blithe* an ad-etie* means "#ig!t!earted and are$ree" A %#it!e

mood oeromes us in t!e s'ring)

!ithe is a#so an ad-etie %ut it means "$#e1i%#e* grae$u#* and

su''#e" T!e #it!e moements o$ t!e (oga instrutor im'ressed us a##)

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blonde

blond

Blonde desri%es women 7runettes !ae -ust as mu! $un as %#ondes

+%#onde women,)

Blond desri%es men Sean was not a natura# %#ond) T!is distintion

is not neessar( t!oug! blond  is now genera##( ae'ted $or %ot!

men and women)

board

bored

Board means a $ew t!ings) One is "a #ong s!eet o$ wood" /iram !ad

to ut t!e %oard to ma.e t!e s!e#es) It a#so means "a ommittee"

T!e %oard o$ diretors met to deide t!e $ate o$ t!e s!oo#) Last#(* it

an mean "to get onto" S!e %oarded t!e s!i')

Bored means "not interested" S!e is %ored %( t!e dr( #eture)

bore

boar

boor

A bore is a %oring or tiresome 'erson or t!ing =as'er is su! a %ore

w!en !e ta#.s a%out !is ats@

A boar is a ma#e 'ig Wi#d %oars a%ound in t!is $orest)

A boor is an unre$ined* u#gar 'erson W!at a %oor 2u( was to get

drun. at t!e wedding and em%arrass eer(one)

born

borne

Born is new#( oming into #i$e A !i#d was %orn at B6 New ?ear4s

da()

Borne means "arried" A## gossi' is %orne %( an i## wind)

borrow

lend

Borrow is to reeie somet!ing $rom someone tem'orari#( to

 %orrow a %oo. and t!en return it)

!end is a er% t!at mean "to tem'orari#( gie somet!ing to

someone" /enr( wi## #end +or #oan, Franine a %oo.)

!oan is a noun a %an. #oan) Loan is o$ten used in Amerian Eng#is!

as a er% meaning "to #end" Loan me a %oo.* '#ease)

braise

bra#e

Braise means "to oo. +usua##( meat, s#ow#( in #i3uid" 7raised meat

is usua##( tender)

To bra#e is to so#der or reate wit! meta#s su! as %ron>e S!ir#e(

 %ra>ed a statue o$ a $amous 0ii# War #eader)

brae

brea 

Brae means "to sto'" ?ou s!ou#d %ra.e s#ow#( on ie)

Brea  means "to smas!" To %rea. a mirror %rings seen (ears o$ 

worse #u. t!an (ou are !aing now)

breath

breathe

Breath is a noun meaning "t!e air 'u##ed into t!e #ungs" Ta.e a dee'

 %reat! and re#a1)

Breathe* wit! an E on t!e end* is a er% =ust %reat!e dee'#( anda#m down)

bridal

bridle

Bridal !as to do a %ride and !er wedding =une Ma( t!rew !er %rida#

 %ou3uet to t!e sreaming rowd o$ sing#e women)

A bridle is a !a#ter or restraint* su! as a !orse %rid#e O#d Frost(

didn4t #i.e t!e %rid#e oer !is !ead)

by

buy

bye

By is a 're'osition meaning "ne1t to" Par. t!e ar %( t!e !ouse)

Buy means "'ur!ase" 2rand'a %u(s an ie ream one eer(

Sunda( a$ternoon)

Bye means "$arewe## or good<%(e" 7(e* now; I4## see (ou #ater)can%t hardly T!is e1'ression is a nonstandard dou%#e negatie +hardly is

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onsidered negatie,* so aoid it) It is %etter to sa( can hardly I an

!ard#( !ear (ou oer t!e noise o$ t!e 'art(@/ard#()

canvas

canvass

&anvas is #ot! or $a%ri a anas %ag to %ring to t!e %ea!)

&anvass means "to ondut a sure( or e1amine t!oroug!#("* or "to

see. otes" S!e anassed a## t!e stores %e$ore s!e $ound t!e rig!tdress)

capital

capitol

A capital  is w!ere t!e seat o$ goernment is T!e a'ita# o$ t!e

:nited States is Was!ington D0) 0a'ita# an a#so mean "wea#t!" or 

"a #arge #etter")

T!e &apitol +usua##( a'ita#i>ed, is t!e atua# %ui#ding in w!i! t!e

goernment and #egis#ature meets We wi## trae# to t!e 0a'ito# t!is

wee.end)

censor

sensor

censure

&ensor is to 'ro!i%it $ree e1'ression T!e 'rini'a# ensored a##

re$erenes to smo.ing in s!oo# 'u%#iations)

A sensor is somet!ing t!at inter'rets stimu#ation T!e #ig!ts are

turned on %( a moement sensor)

&ensure is re%u.e* !ars! ritiism Mort( S.ustin was seere#(

ensured $or 'utting t!e $rog in t!e water oo#er)

cite

site

sight

&ite means "to 3uote or mention" /e ited a $amous t!eorist in !is

s'ee!)

$ite  is a noun meaning "a '#ae" At w!i! site wi## we stage t!e

 'art(8

$ight  is a noun meaning "iew" T!e sig!t o$ t!e New ?or. 0it(

s.(#ine is s'etau#ar)climactic

climatic

&limactic re$ers to t!e 'ea. Wende## snee>ed rig!t at t!e #imati

moment o$ a moie)

&limatic re$ers to t!e #imate and weat!er New Monia is .nown $or 

its dramati #imati !anges)

coarse

course

&oarse is an ad-etie meaning "roug!* %ig<grained* not $ine" We

need to use oarse sand'a'er to remoe t!e 'aint $rom t!is wood)

&ourse is a noun re$erring to a diretion +t!e ourse o$ a s!i', or a

series o$ #etures on one su%-et +a !istor( ourse in o##ege, T!e

 'oetr( ourse Stu de7a.er too. in o##dge !anged t!e ourse o$ !is

#i$e)

collaborate

corroborate

&ollaborate means "to wor. toget!er" 0o##a%orate wit! t!e 'eo'#e

on (our team)

&orroborate means "to su''ort wit! eidene" or "'roe true" T!e

testimon( was orro%orated wit! eidene o$ !is innoene)

complement

compliment

&omplement means "to su''#ement" or "ma.e om'#ete" T!eir two

 'ersona#ities om'#ement ea! ot!er)

&ompliment means "to 'raise or ongratu#ate" S!e reeied a

om'#iment on !er sense o$ $as!ion)

compose   &ompose means to "ma.e u'" and is o$ten used in t!e 'assie oieT!e #ass is om'osed o$ students o$ seera# nationa#ities)

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comprise   &omprise means "!ae* onsist o$* or in#ude" Students o$ seera#

nationa#ities om'rise t!e #ass) A ru#e to remem%er wou#d %e t!at t!e

w!o#e om'rises its 'arts* and t!e 'arts om'ose t!e w!o#e)

concurrent

consecutive

&oncurrent simu#taneous or !a''ening at t!e same time as

somet!ing e#se onurrent %#i>>ards in t!ree di$$erent states)&onsecutive means "suessie or one a$ter anot!er" T!e state !ad

t!ree onseutie %#i>>ards t!at mont!)

conform

confirm

&onform means "to %e simi#ar to" Some s!oo#s on$orm t!eir 

students %( using uni$orms)

&onfirm is to ma.e sure or dou%#e !e. to on$irm a $#ig!t

reseration)

congenial

congenital

&ongenial desri%es somet!ing #i.ea%#e* suita%#e to taste T!e( en-o(

t!e ongenia# surroundings in t!eir !ome)

&ongenital re$ers to a ondition 'resent at %irt! %eause o$ !eredit(

Ra(mond !as a ongenita# !eart de$et)

connote

denote

&onnote means to "im'#( or suggest" 4/ome4 onnotes warmt! and

sa$et()

"enote means to "indiate s'ei$ia##(* to mean" 4/ome4 denotes t!e

 '#ae w!ere (ou #ie)

conscience

conscious

&onscience  is t!e $ee#ing or .now#edge o$ rig!t and wrong M(

onsiene wou#dn4t a##ow me to om'ete wit! someone so mu!

wea.er t!an me)

&onscious re$ers to %eing awa.e and aware Mo##( 0odd#e was sti##

onsious a$ter %anging !er !ead on t!e !ead%oard)continual

continuous

&ontinual means "re'eated wit! %rea.s in %etween" We need

ontinua# rain t!roug!out t!e summer $or ro's to grow)

&ontinuous means "wit!out sto''ing" T!e ontinuous drumming o$ 

t!e rain on t!e windows 'ut /erman to s#ee')

convince

persuade

&onvince is to ause anot!er to $ee# sure or %e#iee somet!ing to %e

true We##* Arg(#e 2reen'asture !as onined me t!at a#iens do

e1ist)

'ersuade is to ta#. someone into doing somet!ing Per( 'ersuaded

me to !e#' !im was! !is ar)

co(operation

corporation

&o(operation means "wor.ing toget!er" I wou#d #i.e to t!an. (ou

$or (our oo'eration wit! us on t!e 'ro-et)

A corporation  is a #arge om'an( Presidents o$ #arge or'orations

reeie tens o$ mi##ions o$ do##ars in sa#ar()

corps

core

corpse

&orps +'ronouned 4ore4, is an organi>ation o$ 'eo'#e dediated to a

sing#e goa# Luinda -oined t!e Peae 0or's a$ter o##ege)

A core  is t!e enter o$ a $ruit ontaining seeds 7art!o#omew eats

a''#es* ore and a##)

A corpse  is a dead %od( T!e or'se o$ Dann(4s dog was #oing#(

#aid to rest in t!e %a. (ard)

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correspondence

correspondents

&orrespondence is agreement or written ommuniation su! as

#etters or news arti#es P!i# and Ra!e# ontinued t!eir 

orres'ondene $or (ears)

&orrespondents are t!ose w!o write t!is ommuniation R!oda

Lott !as #ied a%road as a news orres'ondent $or seera# (ears)

could not care

less

T!is e1'ression is o$ten on$using $or Eng#is! #anguage #earners) It is

a#wa(s used wit! a negatie and means t!at (ou rea##( don4t are at

a## Sine s!e was si.* Mona ou#d not are #ess a%out doing !er 

!omewor.* or Mona ou#d not are #ess w!i! o#or sweater s!e

wore)

council

counsel

consul

A council is a grou' o$ 'eo'#e a##ed toget!er to meet on an issue

T!e s!oo# %oard ouni# meets eer( T!ursda( eening)

&ounsel  is adie I a#wa(s go to 0#(de $or ounse# on t!e toug!

deision in m( #i$e)

A consul is a di'#omat a''ointed to 'rotet t!e iti>ens andommeria# interests o$ one ountr( in anot!er I$ (ou need !e#'

starting a %usiness in Frane* ta#. to t!e :S onsu# in Paris)

crea 

cree 

&rea  an %e t!e noun or er% $or a s3uea. or groan T!e rea. o$ 

t!e $#oor%oards a#erted Ne## t!at 7ernard was snea.ing u' on !er)

A cree  is a sma## stream T!e .ids #oed to '#a( in t!e ree. on a !ot

summer da()

credible

creditable

&redible means "%e#iea%#e or re#ia%#e" T!ere is no redi%#e

eidene t!at it was I w!o %ro.e t!e #am')

&reditable means "wort!( o$ 'raise or res'et" I ou#dn4t !ae %ro.en t!e #am' %eause I !ae a redita%#e a#i%i)

criteria

criterion

&riterion is singu#ar T!ere is on#( one riterion $or t!is -o%)

&riteria is '#ura# Seera# riteria need to %e met in order $or us to

moe $orward)

custom

costume

A custom is a u#tura# tradition It is a ustom in =a'an to remoe

(our s!oes w!en entering a !ome)

A costume is t!e out$it worn to re'resent a 'artiu#ar time* eent* or 

u#ture W!at is (our ostume $or /a##oween going to %e8

dairy

diary

A dairy is a $arm w!ere mi#. and mi#. 'roduts are 'rodued

Made#eine grew u' on a dair( and .nows !ow to !urn %utter)A diary is t!e dai#( -ourna# .e't R!oda 7oo. writes in !er diar( $or 

two !ours eer( nig!t)

deduction

induction

"eduction  is drawing a genera# 'rini'#e $rom 'artiu#ar $ats or 

instanes I4e seen !undreds o$ ro%ins and t!e( a## !ae red %reasts)

+2enera# 'rini'#e<a## ro%ins !ae red %reasts) ,

Induction is t!e e1'#anation o$ 'artiu#ar $ats or instanes $rom a

genera# 'rini'#e T!at %ird must %e a ro%in %eause it !as a red

 %reast) +2enera# 'rini'#e<a## ro%ins !ae red %reasts) ,

denoteconnote

See onnote* denote)

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describe

ascribe

See asri%e* desri%e)

desert

dessert

"esert means "to a%andon" +and an a#so %e a noun* meaning "a

waste#and", 0oo#e( deserted !is $ami#( w!en t!e( a## got tattoos and

#i' 'ierings)"essert is t!e sweet ourse o$ a mea# T!e w!o#e $ami#( wanted to

!ae a.e $or dessert)

device

devise

A device is an instrument used to 'er$orm a tas. T!is deie wi##

 'ee# a''#es $or (ou)

"evise is to reate or inent T!e( wi## deise a s!eme to ontinue

t!e %usiness)

diary

dairy

See dair(* diar()

diversdiverse

"ivers means "seera#" ?ou an ta.e t!at statement in diers wa(s)"iverse means "di$$erent or aried" T!ere are man( dierse u#tures

in t!e wor#d)

different from

different than

"ifferent from  is t!e standard usage w!en om'aring two t!ings

Su>ie4s sweater is di$$erent $rom Mar(4s) Don4t sa(* "Di$$erent t!an

somet!ing e#se)"

discreet

discrete

"iscreet means "modest and 'rudent" P#ease %e disreet a%out t!e

sur'rise 'art(* we don4t want !er to $ind out)

"iscrete means "se'arate and distint" Een t!oug! t!e( were

married* t!e( .e't t!eir mone( in two disrete aounts)

disinterested

uninterested

"isinterested is an ad-etie t!at means "un%iased or im'artia#"

Sine s!e !ad not!ing at sta.e* s!e was a disinterested 'art( in t!e

matter)

)ninterested means "not interested" Anita =o% was -ust uninterested

in t!e o$$er)

dispersion

aspersion

See as'ersion* dis'ersion)

e* g*

i* e*

e* g* is a Latin a%%reiation meaning "$or e1am'#e" Lui##e doesn4t

#i.e $ruit* e)g) 'ears* a''#es* gra'es* and %ananas)

i* e* is a Latin a%%reiation meaning "t!at is +to sa(," M(rt#e !ad to#eae t!e room* i)e) s!e !ad to go to t!e %at!room)

each other

one another

:se each other w!en on#( two o%-ets are ino#ed T!e twins #oe

ea! ot!er)

:se one another in re$erring to more t!an two o%-ets T!e tri'#ets

a## #oe one anot!er)

each

every

T!ese are singu#ar distri%utie 'ronouns; use t!em wit! a singu#ar 

er%) Each re$ers to a sing#e indiidua# in a grou' Ea! o$ us oted

di$$erent#()

Every re$ers to a## t!e mem%ers o$ a grou' in#usie#( Eer( one o$ us oted t!e same)

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effect

affect

See a$$et* e$$et)

elicit

illicit

Elicit  is a er% t!at means "to draw out" T!e tea!er !ad trou%#e

e#iiting res'onses $rom t!e students)

Illicit is an ad-etie meaning "i##ega# or i##egitimate" I##iit drugs or i##iit %e!aior ma( !e#' (ou enter -ai#)

elude

allude

See a##ude* e#ude)

emigrant

immigrant

An emigrant is a 'erson w!o #eaes !is natie ountr( to sett#e in

anot!er T!e emigrants #e$t eer(t!ing %e!ind in sear! o$ somet!ing

more)

An immigrant re$ers is 'erson w!o moes to a new ountr( Man(

immigrants sett#e in t!is ountr( eer( (ear)

emigrateimmigrate

Emigrate from means "to #eae one4s ountr(" Franes emigrated tot!e :S)

Immigrate to means "to sett#e in anot!er ountr(" /er $ami#(

immigrated to t!e :S $our generations ago)

eminent

emanant

imminent

Eminent means "o$ !ig! ran.* outstanding* or 'restigious" An

eminent aut!or ame to read at t!e uniersit()

Emanant means "sending or issuing $ort!" Emanant t!oug!ts #i.e

t!ose s!ou#d %e .e't to (ourse#$)

Imminent means "#ose to !a''ening or near" Eer(one waited

an1ious#( $or an imminent storm 'redited to arrie s!ort#()

enervate

innervate

Innervate means "to su''#( wit! neres or ita#it(" T!e t!era'ist

innerated t!e s!ou#ders wit! massage)

Enervate is to wea.en or destro( t!e ita#it( o$ T!e negatie attitude

enerated !er ent!usiasm)

entomology

etymology

Entomology re$ers to t!e stud( o$ insets Dona#d ou#dn4t %e a$raid

o$ %ugs i$ !e wanted to get a degree in entomo#og()

Etymology is t!e stud( o$ t!e !istor( o$ words and w!ere t!e( ome

$rom T!e et(mo#og( o$ mortify goes %a. to Latin mortuus "dead") is

nie)

etc*   Etc* is Latin $or et etera and means "and so on" ?ou need to %ring '#ates* .nies* $or.s* s'oons* et) to t!e ta%#e) It is a good idea*

!oweer* to -ust $inis! t!e #ist* not #etting it end wit! etc* 7ut i$ (ou

must* use a '!rase #i.e "and so on"* "and so $ort!")

ethereal

ephemeral

Ethereal desri%es somet!ing t!at is #ig!t* air(* and intangi%#e

Et!erea# #ouds !oered a%oe; Eer(t!ing in t!e %a##room #oo.ed

et!erea#)

Ephemeral re$ers to an(t!ing #asting $or a s!ort 'eriod Trut! an %e

an e'!emera# t!ing; A ree. an %e e'!emera# i$ it disa''ears in t!e

midd#e o$ summer)

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everyone

every one

Everyone means "ea! 'erson" Eer(one in t!e room must #eae

immediate#()

Every one  re$ers to ea! t!ing or 'erson indiidua##( Fe#ie 'ut

eer( one o$ t!e eggs in t!e %as.et)

exceedaccede

See aede* e1eed)

except

accept

See ae't* e1e't)

explicit

implicit

Explicit means "#ear and diret" P#ease gie me e1'#iit diretions)

Implicit means "indiret#(* wit! some 'arts understood" T!e(

im'#iit#( agreed to neer ta#. on t!e su%-et again)

fair

fare

A fair is an e1!i%ition o$ $arm 'rodue usua##( wit! a o##etion o$ 

rides and attrations Eer( (ear our $ami#( goes to t!e state $air)

Afare

 is t!e $ee (ou 'a( to ride 'u%#i trans'ortation T!e $are to ride

t!e %us is a$$orda%#e in our town)

farther

further

+arther !as to do wit! distane /ow mu! $art!er is it to

Poug!.ee'sie8

+urther means "additiona#" or "more" P#ease gie me $urt!er 

in$ormation a%out t!e %est route to Poug!.ee'sie)

fa#e

phase

+a#e is to distress or distur% T!e srutin( o$ t!e media didn4t $a>e

S!aron)

A phase is a 'eriod o$ dee#o'ment or a 'eriod o$ time in a (#e o$ 

eents Stuart went t!roug! a '!ase w!en a## !e did was eat !ot dogs)

few

less

+ew is used w!en ta#.ing a%out t!ings t!at an %e ounted Lureen

!as a $ew ideas; a#so a $ew .e(s* $ew #ouds* $ew a#ues* $ew

diseases)

!ess is used w!en ta#.ing a%out t!ings t!at an4t %e ounted Lureen

s!ows #ess 'erseerane t!an we e1'eted; a#so #ess distane* #ess

 'o##ution* #ess rain)

figuratively

literally

+iguratively re$ers to meta'!ori s'ee!* not rea#isti or e1at To

sa(* "/orae died #aug!ing*" is to s'ea. $iguratie#()

!iterally  re$ers to rea#isti or e1at s'ee! I$ /orae #itera##( died

#aug!ing* !e must %e %uried +%ut it was not su! a %ad wa( to go,)flammable

inflammable

T!ese two words %ot! mean "easi#( set on $ire" a !ig!#(

$#amma%#eCin$#amma%#e su%stane) /oweer* flammable is now used

as a warning to aoid misinter'reting t!e 're$i1in- as negation)

flare

flair

+lare is to inrease great#(* %urn %rig!t#(* or somet!ing t!at 'roides

a %rig!t $#ame T!e $ire in t!e gri## $#ared %rig!t#( w!en Ea tossed

gaso#ine on it)

+lair re$ers to a sense o$ st(#e or a ta#ent Dut! Masters !as a $#air 

$or entertaining a grou' o$ men)

flaunt  o flaunt means "to s!ow o$$" Maud L(nn Dresser #i.es to $#aunt !er 

 -ewe#s at 'arties)

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flout   o flout means "to s!ow sorn or ontem't $or" Larr( $#outs t!e

s'eed #imit in eer( state w!en it suits !is s!edu#e)

forbear

forebear

+orbear means "to re$rain $rom" T!e !i#dren sim'#( ou#d not

$or%ear #aug!ing in t!e #i%rar()

A forebear is an anestor or $ore$at!er Our $ore%ears w!o $oundedt!is ountr( enturies ago)

foreword

forward

A foreword is a s!ort introdution at t!e %eginning o$ a %oo. usua##(

written %( someone ot!er t!an t!e aut!or T!e $oreword o$ t!e %oo. 

e1'#ains !ow its t!esis $its in wit! urrent t!in.ing)

+orward is an ader% indiating moement a!ead or toward t!e

$ront Prisi##a moes $orward s#ow#( in t!e #ine at t!e groer( store)

forth

fourth

+orth means "$orward* $rom t!is 'oint" 7arr( moed $ort! wit!out

#oo.ing %a.)

+ourth  indiates an o%-et t!at omes %etween No) and No)

Dustin Mo''et -ust $inis!ed #eaning t!e $ourt! $#oor)

foul

fowl

+oul an means "o$$ensie* rotten* or un$aora%#e" Fou# #anguage*

$ou# meat* and $ou# weat!er are unae'ta%#e at a 'ini)

+owl re$ers to %irds* es'eia##( domesti ones 0!i.ens* du.s*

geese* and tur.e(s are onsidered $ow#)

found

founded

+ound is t!e 'ast tense o$ $ind I $ound m( g#asses on#( a$ter I !ad

ste''ed on t!em@

+ounded  is 'ast tense o$ t!e er% found* meaning "to set u' or 

esta%#is!" M( anestors were t!e ones w!o $ounded t!is ountr()

founderflounder

+ounder means "to run aground" T!e %oat $oundered on a s!oa# int!e storm)

+lounder means "to moe #umsi#(* wit! di$$iu#t(" or "to %#under"

2#ad(s Frida( is $#oundering in o##ege)

gibe

gybe

 -ibe

.ibe means "to taunt* -eer* ma.e $un o$" /is #assmates gi%ed 7i##(

Ear# $or wearing !is underwear oer !is #ot!es)

.ybe means "to swing a $ore<and<a$t sai# $rom one side o$ a sai#%oat

to t!e ot!er to !ange ourse" W!en t!e wind s!i$ted* Fe#i1 g(%ed

w!en !e s!ou#d !ae ta.ed)

/ibe  re$ers to %eing in agreement Our iews on eer(t!ing $rom

 %ase%a## to Sorates seem to -i%e)

gorilla

guerrilla

A gorilla is a #arge a'e 2ori##as #ie in t!e A$rian tro'ia# $orest)

A guerrilla is a mem%er o$ irregu#ar mi#itar( t!at uses sur'rise

atta.s on its enem( 2uerri##a war$are uses tatis su! as es'ionage*

sa%otage* and am%us!)

hail

hale

Hail means "to greet or to ome $rom" S!e !ai#s $rom 0a#i$ornia)

/ai# a#so means "%a##s o$ ie" /ai# damaged t!e ro's)

Hale means "sound or !ea#t!(" Minnie Mi#es is !a#e and !eart(

enoug! to run $ie mi#es dai#()

hanged   Hanged is 'ast tense o$ !ang in t!e sense o$ e1euting someone %(using a ro'e around t!e ne. Out#aws in t!e O#d West were !anged

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hung w!en t!e( ou#d %e aug!t)

Hung is t!e 'ast tense o$ !ang* %ut is used $or t!ings L(da 0ain4s son

neer !ung u' !is #ot!es) =ust remem%er !anged is used $or 'eo'#e

+?u.@,* and !ung is used $or ot!er t!ings)

hardly T!is is a word used in a negatie sense meaning "%are#(" L(#e ou#d!ard#( .ee' !is e(es o'en at t!e #eture %( R!oda 7oo.)

herd

heard

A herd  is a grou' o$ anima#s Nonnie saw a !erd o$ ows in t!e

 'asture)

Heard is t!e 'ast tense o$ hear e#da !eard t!e %e##s ringing $or t!e

g#orious #eader w!o !ad reent#( died)

here

hear

Here re$ers to t!e '#ae w!ere (ou are ?ou s!ou#d ome !ere more

o$ten)

Hear is to #isten wit! t!e ears Am I s'ea.ing #oud enoug! $or (ou to

!ear me8

heroin

heroine

Heroin is an i##iit drug /eroin is a er( additing su%stane)

A heroine is a $ema#e !ero in rea# #i$e or in a stor( Marge was treated

#i.e a !eroine w!en s!e de#iered t!e %a%( in a a%)

historic

historical

Historic re$ers to somet!ing in !istor( t!at was im'ortant T!e

summit was a !istori meeting %etween t!e ountries)

Historical re$ers to an(t!ing in genera# !istor( T!e w!o#e #ass !ad

to dress in !istoria# ostumes $or t!e '#a()

hoard

horde

Hoard means "to o##et and .ee' $or onese#$" S3uirre#s !oard

aorns during t!e winter)

A horde is a #arge grou' /ordes o$ 'eo'#e go 0!ristmas s!o''ingt!e da( a$ter T!an.sgiing)

hole

whole

A hole is a ga' or s'ae A mot! made a !o#e in m( sweater)

0hole means "om'#ete" Stu 7ee$ ate t!e w!o#e 'i>>a !imse#$@

home

hone

Home in is t!e orret '!rase !ere is w!en re$erring to getting #oser 

to a goa# or target T!e missi#e !omed in e#etronia##( on t!e target)

Hone means "to s!ar'en" Denise made a reso#ution to !one !er 

 'iano '#a(ing s.i##s)

i* e*

e* g*

See e) g)* i) e)

illicit

elicit

See e#iit* i##iit)

illusion

allusion

See a##usion* i##usion)

immemorial

immortal

immoral

Immemorial re$ers to t!at w!i! is %e(ond time* anient T!ese

arti$ats !ae %een !ere sine time immemoria#)

Immortal desri%es t!ings t!at #ie $oreer T!e wa( Rando#'!

dries* !e must t!in. t!at !e is immorta#)

Immoral means "not nie* unet!ia#* %ad" Stea#ing is immora#)immoral See amora#* immora#)

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amoral

immigrant

emigrant

See emigrant* immigrant)

immigrate

emigrate

See emigrate* immigrate)

imminent

eminent,

emanant

See eminent)

implicate,

imply

Implicate means "to #ose#( #in. or onnet" T!e %#ood on !is !ands

im'#iated !im in t!e murder)

Imply means "to 'oint to* or suggest indiret#(" T!e itim4s $riend

im'#ied !e t!oug!t !e .new w!o t!e murderer was)

implicitexplicit

See e1'#iit* im'#iit)

imply

infer

Imply means "to suggest indiret#(" /er !esitation im'#ied t!at !er 

answer was no)

Infer means "to draw a on#usion $rom .nown $ats" /e in$erred

t!at t!e answer was no $rom !er !esitation)

in regard to

as regards

7ot! o$ t!ese mean "re$erring to"* %ut use one or t!e ot!er In regard

to (our 'ro'osa# I !ae an idea* or As regards (our 'ro'osa#* I !ae

an idea) NOT in regards to@

inchoateincoherent

Inchoate desri%es somet!ing in an ear#( stage o$ dee#o'ment* and

t!at is inom'#ete Lu(4s '#an remained in!oate and was dee#o'ed

no $urt!er)

Incoherent desri%es somet!ing t!at is #a.ing onnetion or order

Some een t!oug!t t!at Lu(4s '#an was -ust a $ew ino!erent

t!oug!ts t!at didn4t !ang toget!er)

incredible

incredulous

Incredible means "astonis!ing or di$$iu#t to gras'" T!e inredi%#e

 'ower o$ a tornado attrats storm !asers)

Incredulous means "s.e'tia# and dis%e#ieing" S!e was

inredu#ous a%out Fred4s inter'retation o$ t!e eent)

induction

deduction

See dedution* indution)

innervate

enervate

See enerate* innerate)

insure

ensure

assure

See assure* ensure* insure)

intolerable

intolerant

Intolerable re$ers to somet!ing un%eara%#e T!e !eat during t!e

summer o$ B66 was into#era%#e)Intolerant re$ers to a 'erson w!o is una%#e to ae't di$$erenes in

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o'inion* !a%it* or %e#ie$ Ma(%e##e is into#erant o$ an(one w!o !ews

wit! t!eir mout! o'en)

irregardless

regardless

1egardless is t!e orret word to use* meaning "wit!out regard" T!e

(oung man #e$t regard#ess o$ t!e warnings)

Irregardless is a dou%#e negatie t!at s!ou#d %e aoided)its

it%s

Its  is t!e 'ossessie $orm o$ it* #i.e !ers* !is* and t!eirs T!e dog

#i.ed its $oot a$ter ste''ing in ma'#e s(ru')

It%s is s!ort $or 4it is4* a ontration o$ t!ose two words "We##* I guess

it4s Git isH time to was! t!e dog again)"

 -ibe

gibe

gybe

See gi%e* g(%e* -i%e)

ind of 

sort of 

Aoid t!ese e1'ressions in t!e sense o$ "somew!at"* "rat!er" or "a

#itt#e" +es'eia##( aoid reduing t!em to inda andsorta,) T!e 'ae

o$ t!e %ase%a## game was rat!er Gnot ind of H s#ow)

new

new

2new is t!e 'ast tense o$ .now S!e .new w!at s!e wanted to sa(

 %ut ou#dn4t sa( it)

New means "neer used" I ordered a new ustom ar $rom t!e

$ator( toda()

latent

patent

!atent means "'resent %ut not isi%#e or atie" =ust %eause I4m not

in %ed doesn4t mean t!at I don4t !ae a #atent irus)

'atent means "isi%#e* atie* or o%ious" T!e #aim t!at I 'in!ed

Mari#(n4s tus! is a 'atent #ie@

later

latter

!ater means "a$terward" 0ome #ater t!an seen o4#o.)!atter means "t!e #ast o$ two t!ings mentioned" I$ I !ae to !oose

 %etween %rains or %eaut(* I4## ta.e t!e #atter)

lay

lie

!ay is a transitie er%* w!i! means it ta.es an o%-et) It means "to

set or 'ut down $#at" 2wendo#(n #aid !i#d in t!e ri%* or La( a %oo. 

on t!e ta%#e* '#ease) Its $orms arelay, lays, laid, has laid * and is

laying )

!ie is an intransitie er%* so it does not ta.e an o%-et) It means "to

rest su'ine or remain in a ertain '#ae" I !ae to #ie down %eause

I4m not $ee#ing we##* or I #i.e to #ie in t!e grass $or !ours) Its $orms

are lie, lies, lay, has lain* and is lying )

lead

led

!ead an %e a er% meaning "to guide* %e in !arge o$" 2reg wi##

#ead a grou' t!is a$ternoon) It an a#so %e a noun meaning "a t('e o$ 

meta##i e#ement" :se a #ead 'eni# to $i## in (our answer s!eet)

!ed is t!e 'ast tense o$ lead  2reg #ed t!e grou' t!is a$ternoon)

lend

loan

borrow

!end is a er% t!at mean "to tem'orari#( gie somet!ing to

someone" Lu( wi## #end or #oan 0!u. !er %oo.s an( da()

A loan is a noun meaning somet!ing %orrowed Most 'eo'#e get a

 %an. #oan to %u( a !ouse) Loan is a#so used in Amerian Eng#is! as a

er% meaning "to #end")Borrow  is to reeie somet!ing $rom someone tem'orari#( 0an I

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 %orrow t!e %oo. i$ I 'romise to return it tomorrow8

less

few

See $ew* #ess)

lessen

lesson

!essen means "to derease or ma.e #ess" S!e #essened t!e !eada!e

 'ain wit! as'irin)A lesson is somet!ing (ou #earn A tea!er mig!t sa(* "Toda(4s #esson

is a%out anient Eg('t)"

liable

libel

!iable means "#ega##( res'onsi%#e $or or su%-et to" Tom is #ia%#e to

 'a( $or t!e damage i$ !e doesn4t 'roe !is innoene)

!ibel  is a noun t!at means "a s#anderous statement t!at damages

anot!er 'erson4s re'utation" 7ertrand was sued $or #i%e# $or w!at !e

 'rinted a%out P!i# Anders)

lightening

lightning

!ightening is a er% t!at means "to redue t!e weig!t o$" M( ourse

#oad needs #ig!tening i$ I am to om'#ete t!is ourse suess$u##()!ightning re$ers to t!e e#etria# dis!arge in t!e s.( Fred a'tured

t!e image o$ a %o#t o$ #ig!tning on $i#m)

lie

as

See as* #i.e)

literally

figuratively

See $iguratie#(* #itera##()

lithe

blithe

See %#it!e* #it!e)

loathe

loath

!oathe is a er% meaning "to detest or dis#i.e great#(" =anie #oat!esanima# rue#t()

!oath is an ad-etie meaning "re#utant* unwi##ing" Lane was

#oat! to as. $or an e1tension on !is term 'a'er t!at semester)

loose

lose

!oose  is not tig!t A #oose<$itting -a.et was more suita%#e t!an a

s!aw#)

!ose is to mis'#ae and not %e a%#e to $ind I o$ten #ose m( %earings

w!en entering a new it() T!an. goodness I don4t #ose m( .e(s

t!oug!@

mannermanor

Manner  is a wa( o$ doing or %e!aing Duane Pi'es insta##ed t!e

 '#um%ing in a wor.man<#i.e manner)

A manor is a !ouse on an estate T!e !au$$eur droe s#ow#( u' to

t!e manor)

mantel

mantle

A mantel is t!e s!e#$ a%oe a $ire'#ae* or $ae o$ one Mati#da set

seera# and#es on t!e mante#)

A mantle  is a #oa. or %#an.et e#ma gra%%ed !er mant#e %e$ore

!eading out t!e door)

marital

martial

Marital re$ers to marriage 7unn( and Lane are !aing marita#

 'ro%#ems)

Martial re$ers to war or warriors 7unn( !as a %#a. %e#t in martia#arts)

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marshal

marshall

A marshal is an o$$ier o$ !ig!est ran.ing; it an mean "to arrange"

T!e mars!a# gae orders to t!e troo's)

Marshall is a er% meaning "to toget!er" Mars!a## mars!a#ed

enoug! strengt! to wa#. 'ast t!e %ar on !is wa( !ome)

may bemaybe

May be as two words means "mig!t %e" ?our reading g#asses ma( %eon t!e nig!t stand)

Maybe is one word t!at means "'er!a's" Ma(%e (our reading

g#asses are on t!e nig!t stand)

me

myself 

Me is used as a sim'#e o%-et Susan to#d m( %rot!er and me a%out

!er tri' to A$ria)

Myself   is a re$#e1ie and an em'!ati 'ronoun I ta#. to m(se#$ 

Gre$#e1ieH or (ou an do t!at (ourse#$ Gem'!atiH)

meet

mete

meat

Meet means "to get toget!er or onnet wit! someone* to enounter"

E#ro( '#ans to meet a o##eague $or #un!)

Mete means "to distri%ute" We !ad to mete out t!e #ast o$ t!e water w!en we were sti## B6 mi#es $rom ii#i>ation on our !i.ing tri')

Meat is $#es! t!at ma( %e eaten Nat!an is a egetarian w!o doesn4t

eat meat at a##)

militate

mitigate

Militate means "to in$#uene toward or against a !ange" T!e

 %ana#it( o$ R!oda 7oo.4s stories mi#itated against t!eir %eoming

 'o'u#ar)

Mitigate means "to #essen* ma.e easier* or %eara%#e" A o#d

om'ress on (our #eg wi## mitigate t!e swe##ing)

mordanttrenchant

Mordant  is %iting#( sarasti Eer(one !ated Ra(mond4s mordantomments)

renchant means "$ore$u# and .een" Ra(mond reeied tren!ant

ritiism $rom eer(one $or !is omments)

most

almost

See a#most* most)

mute

moot

Mute means "!aing no sound or wit!out s'ee!" /e was stru. 

mute %( t!e !orror o$ t!e eents)

Moot as a noun is a 'u%#i meeting; as an ad-etie* t!e more

ommon usage* means "o'en to de%ate" in t!e :9 and "not o'en to

de%ate" in t!e :S) It is most o$ten used in t!e '!rase moot point 

W!en Wa#ter wa#.ed in* t!e 3uestion o$ w!o was going to 'i. !im

u' %eame moot)

no

now

No means "t!e o''osite o$ (es" T!e( a## said no in res'onse to t!e

#atest re$erendum)

To now is to understand are rea#i>e I don4t want to .now !ow (ou

got u' t!e tree)

noisome

noisy

Noisome means "disgusting* o$$ensie* and 'otentia##( !arm$u#" A

noisome sme## arose $rom t!e gar%age an)

Noisy means "ma.ing a #ot o$ sound or ra.et" Wit! so man(!i#dren* it %eame a nois( da( are enter)

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nonplussed   Nonplussed is o$ten misused in t!e sense o$ "a#m and un%ot!ered")

T!e atua# meaning is "on$used or %ewi#dered" S!e was non'#ussed

 %( !er !us%and4s unusua# %e!aior)

nowhere

nowheres

See an(wa(* an(w!ere* now!ere; an(wa(s* an(w!eres* now!eres)

obeisance

obse3uious

4beisance  is res'et and !omage 'aid someone Farina greeted t!e

3ueen wit! sinere o%eisane)

4bse3uiousness  is su%missieness and an eagerness to o%e( T!e

o%se3uiousness o$ t!e waiter made t!em ro## t!eir e(es)

obtuse

abstruse

4btuse means "#a.ing 3ui.ness o$ wit or sensitiit(* du##* dense"

7randon is so o%tuse !e doesn4t een .now w!en !e is %eing insu#ted)

Abstruse means "too di$$iu#t to understand $or t!e aerage mind"

T!e 'ro$essor 'resented an a%struse meta'!(sia# one't t!at went

oer our !eads)

one another

each other

See ea! ot!er* one anot!er )

overdo

overdue

4verdo is to e1aggerate somet!ing Mar( oerdoes !er ma.eu'

eer( morning and s!e ends u' #oo.ing #i.e a #own)

4verdue indiates somet!ing t!at !as missed its dead#ine ?ou must

return t!ese oerdue %oo.s to t!e #i%rar( immediate#(* or A isit to

our grand'arents is #ong oerdue)

pamper

pander

To pamper is to odd#e* or treat wit! indu#gene T!e on#( time m(

mom 'am'ers me is w!en I4m si.)

To pander is to ater to t!e %ase needs o$ ot!ers* to se## out Senator T!ro.morton got e#eted %( 'andering to s'eia# interest grou's)

passed

past

'assed is t!e 'ast tense o$ 'ass* to go %( or moe a!ead o$ T!e %o(s

 'assed t!roug! town 3ui.#()

'ast is a '#ae in time t!at was %e$ore now ?ou wou#d %e wise to

re$#et on t!e 'ast and #earn $rom it)

pasture

pastor

A pasture is a '#ae w!ere $arm anima#s gra>e A# Fa#$a 'uts !is

ows out into t!e 'asture eer( morning)

A pastor  is a mem%er o$ t!e #erg(* a minister o$ a !ur! Noa!

Sar3ue is t!e 'astor o$ t!e #oa# 7a'tist 0!ur!)patent

latent

See #atent* 'atent)

patience

patients

'atience is t!e a%i#it( to remain a#m een w!en dea#ing wit!

someone or somet!ing di$$iu#t T!e tea!er s!owed in$inite 'atiene

$or t!e students strugg#ing wit! t!e reading materia#) +See

a#so  assistance and  assistants),

'atients are 'eo'#e w!o are si. in a !os'ita# T!e nurse !ad seera#

new 'atients to get to .now t!at wee.)

peace   'eace is a sense o$ a#m and a%sene o$ war or !osti#it( We a## !o'e$or 'eae t!roug!out t!e wor#d)

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piece A piece is a 'art or segment o$ somet!ing /e#en /ig!water #ost a

 'iee o$ !er -ewe#r( in !ur! #ast Sunda()

pee 

pi3ue

pea 

To pee  is to #oo. 3ui.#( wit!out someone .nowing T!e !i#d

 'ee.ed inside t!e gi$t)

To pi3ue is to arouse or 'roo.e Murie#4s omment 'i3ued A%ner4suriosit() Pi3ue an a#so %e used as a noun meaning "resentment"

Sedgewi. $e#t a %it o$ 'i3ue at t!e assoiation o$ !is name wit! t!eir 

rea# estate s!eme)

A pea   is t!e !ig!est 'oint o$ somet!ing 0!astit( deided not to

drie to t!e to' o$ Pi.e4s Pea. during t!e 'ea. summer aation

season)

peer

pier

To peer is to s3uint and ga>e strong#( at Me#in !ad to 'eer t!roug!

$og to .ee' t!e ar on t!e !ig!wa()

a peer is an e3ua# Farnswort! didn4t onsider an(one !is 'eer w!en it

ame to t!e game o$ tidd#ed( win.s)A pier is a wa#.wa( t!at -uts into a %od( o$ water $or do.ing to !e

do.ed !is %oat at t!e end o$ t!e 'ier)

penultimate

ultimate

'enultimate means "t!e ne1t to t!e #ast +t!e u#timate," Litt#e did A#

Paa .now t!at t!e 'enu#timate s!rim' !e ate was t!e one t!at gae

!im $ood 'oisoning)

)ltimate  is t!e #ast or %est I $ound t!e u#timate gi$t $or 2ar( t!is

(ear)

perspective

prospective

A perspective is a iew $rom a ertain '#ae or 'osition or a menta#

out#oo. T!e 'ers'etie $rom t!is %ui#ding is s'etau#ar* or L(diaPotts !as a wonder$u# 'ers'etie on #i$e onsidering t!e $at t!at s!e

!as B .ids)

'rospective is an ad-etie t!at means "'ossi%#e* #i.e#( to !a''en"

We !ae seera# 'ros'etie o''ortunities %e$ore us)

persuade

convince

See onine* 'ersuade)

phase

fa#e

See $a>e* '!ase)

pi3uantpi3ue

'i3uant means "'#easant#( tart or s'i(" T!is restaurant seres a 'i3uant sa#sa t!at is a%so#ute#( de#iious)

To pi3ue is to arouse or 'roo.e 2rune##a 'i3ued ern4s uriosit(

wit! !er 3uestion) +See a#so peek),

plain

plane

'lain means "sim'#e not s!ow(" or "a #arge #ee# region" It was

 '#ain to see t!at anessa #oed 0onwa(* or 7owser4s $arm was on a

great '#ain w!ere w!eat grew we##)

A plane is a $#at and #ee# sur$ae* a new #ee#* or an air'#ane To

understand t!e e3uation o$ a '#ane sur$ae in mat!ematis (ou !ae

to rea! a new '#ane o$ onsiousness) Fran.#in #anded t!e '#ane

suess$u##()

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portent

potent

A portent  is a noun meaning "an omen or 'ro'!eti sign o$ t!e

$uture" Ian Oder too. $a##ing out o$ %ed t!at morning as a 'ortent o$ 

a greater disaster in t!e $uture)

'otent is an ad-etie meaning "strong and 'ower$u#" Arno#d was a

 'otent man* een at seent(* %ut ou#d not !and#e t!e 'otent martinis

7e##a Donna made)

pour

pore

pore

To pour is to dis'ense #i3uid $rom one ontainer into anot!er S!e

 'oured some mi#. into t!e g#ass)

A pore is to stud( or read intense#( /i#da 'ored oer t!e materia#s

nig!t#()

'ore a#so means "a sma## o'ening in s.in t!roug! w!i! moisture or 

air moes" Pores are a## oer our %odies)

practical

practicable

'ractical re$ers to %eing easi#( used and 'ut into 'ratie A Swiss

Arm( .ni$e !as man( 'ratia# uses)

'racticable means "$easi%#e or 'ossi%#e" It is not a#wa(s 'ratia%#e$or a %us( 'erson to use t!is too#)

precede

proceed

T!e er% precede means "to ome or go %e$ore* in $ront o$" T!e

$#ower gir# 'reeded t!e %ride in t!e 'roession down t!e ais#e)

'roceed means "to moe $orward" 7ot! t!e $#ower gir# and t!e %ride

 'roeeded down t!e ais#e at t!e same time)

premise

premises

A premise usua##( means "assum'tion" Sine t!e %asi 'remise was

wrong* a## t!e on#usions %ased on it were wrong* too)

'remises are a !ouse or %ui#ding and t!e grounds around it Smo.ing

is not a##owed on t!e 'remises)presence

presents

'resence means "t!e state o$ %eing near" A'ri#4s 'resene was

om$orting in Rod4s time o$ sorrow)

'resents are gi$ts T!e greatest gi$t is to #et someone gie (ou a

 'resent)

principal

principle

A principal  is t!e !ead o$ a 'ro$essiona# %usiness or s!oo# T!e

 'rini'a# o$ t!e midd#e s!oo# is a woman o$ 'rini'#es)

A principle is a %e#ie$ I aoid s!oo# 'rini'a#s as a matter o$ 

 'rini'#e)

profit

prophet

'rofit is t!e mone( earned a%oe t!e e1'ense it too. to om'#ete t!e

 'ro-et 2!is#aine and Pierre made a J66*666 'ro$it w!en t!e(

remode#ed and so#d t!eir !ouse)

A prophet is a 'erson w!o an $orete## t!e $uture and t!roug! w!i!

a diine 'resene s'ea.s At!eism is a non<'ro'!et re#igion)

profligate

prolific

'rofligate is to %e waste$u# and e1traagant Esmera#da is so

 'ro$#igate t!at s!e s'ent t!e entire mi##ion do##ars s!e won in t!e

#otter( in one (ear)

'rolific means "a%undant* $ruit$u#* 'roduing mu!" =o!n 2ris!am is

a 'ro#i$i writer)

3uiet   5uiet means "wit!out sound or mention o$" ?ou are su''osed to %e3uiet in !os'ita#s and #i%raries)

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3uite   5uite an mean eit!er "om'#ete#( or somew!at* rat!er"* de'ending

on w!at (ou mean I was 3uite a#one t!at Saturda( a$ternoon

+om'#ete#(, %ut t!e !ours 'assed 3uite 3ui.#( +rat!er,)

3uote

3uotation

5uote  is a er% meaning "to state t!e e1at words someone e#se

said" T!e 'astor 3uoted sri'ture $rom t!e 7i%#e or 0armen 3uoted a$amous 's(!o#ogist in om'#aining to t!e %oss)

A 3uotation  is t!e atua# statement %eing 3uoted 2ret!en read a

3uotation eer( da()

rain

reign

rein

1ain is t!e water t!at $a##s $rom t!e s.( Dingwe## didn4t !ae sense

enoug! to ome in out o$ t!e rain)

1eign is t!e ru#e o$ a .ing o$ 3ueen 9ing Wi#!e#m reigned wit! an

iron $ist to .ee' 'eae in t!e #and)

A rein +usua##( '#ura#* reins, are t!e stra's o$ #eat!er used to ontro#

and guide a !orse No matter !ow !ard Regina#d 'u##ed on t!e reins*

t!e !orse wou#d not s#ow down)raise

ra#e

1aise means "to %ui#d or grow" T!e $armer raises orn) T!e Amis!

wi## raise t!e wa##s o$ a %ui#ding %( noon)

1a#e is to destro( T!e s!oo# was ra>ed and a new one %ui#t in its

 '#ae)

real

really

1eal is a ariant o$ really used in dia#eta# areas +#i.e t!e Sout!ern

:S, w!ere ader%s are not distinguis!ed $rom ad-eties S!e sings

rea# good* in standard Eng#is! is S!e sings rea##( we##)

1eally is an intensi$(ing ader% 2wendo#(n was rea##( tired a$ter 

 '#a(ing outside a## da()

reality

realty

1eality means "t!e 'ereied wor#d as it is* t!e true situation" S!e

ou#d not te## t!e di$$erene %etween rea#it( and $antas()

1ealty is #and or rea# estate Rea#t( in #arge ities is mar.ed#(

e1'ensie)

rebate

refund

A rebate is a disount $rom t!e manu$aturer to t!e ustomer a$ter a

 'ur!ase !as %een made T!e JK66 om'uter ost on#( JK)5 a$ter 

a## t!e re%ates)

A refund is a $u## re'a(ment to a dissatis$ied ustomer Mi#dred

returned !er gird#e and demanded a $u## re$und)

regimen

regiment

1egimen is a s(stemati '#an S(#ia is undergoing a regimen $or a

!ea#t!ier #i$est(#e)

1egiment  is a troo' o$ so#diers T!e arm( is made u' o$ seera#

regiments)

residence

residents

A residence is w!ere 'eo'#e #ie* t!e !ouse or %ui#ding T!e ma(or4s

residene is #oated in t!e enter o$ t!e it()

T!e residents are t!e 'eo'#e w!o #ie t!ere T!e residents o$ t!e

ommunit( t!in.s t!e ma(or4s residene is to #u1urious)

respectable

respectful

1espectable means "desering res'et or on good %e!aior" Mot!er 

a#wa(s to#d us to %e res'eta%#e in 'u%#i)1espectful  re$ers to s!owing res'et 7e res'et$u# o$ t!e 'eo'#e

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respective around (ou* es'eia##( i$ t!e( !ae sti.s)

1espective means "indiidua# and a''ro'riate" T!e summer am'

.ids were s!own to t!eir res'etie a%ins)

respectfully

respectively

1espectfully means "'o#ite#( and wit! res'et" Me# Pew a#wa(s

dea#t res'et$u##( wit! ea! and eer( ustomer)1espectively  re$ers to t!e order in w!i! t!ings are gien I gae

Wa##ae and Linda %#ue and green so.s* res'etie#(* means t!at I

gae Wa##ae %#ue so.s and Linda green ones)

restive

restful

1estive means "im'atient and nerous* rest#ess" 0or( %eame restie

one !e .new t!e %oss was going to a## !im into !is o$$ie)

1estful means "$u## o$ rest* a#m* 3uiet* and restoratie" A rest$u#

aation in Indonesia was -ust w!at t!e dotored ordered)

retch

wretch

To retch is to tr( and omit Furman ret!ed seera# times a$ter 

swa##owing a %ite o$ Lur#een4s #ier 'udding)

A wretch is a misera%#e or wi.ed 'erson I didn4t %e#iee s!e ou#d %e su! a wret!)

rifle

riffle

1ifle means to sear! wit! t!e intention o$ stea#ing or ta.ing T!e

mugger ri$#ed 0#arissa4s 'urse #oo.ing $or as!)

To riffle means "to s!u$$#e or $#i' 3ui.#( t!roug! 'a'ers" 7i## ri$$#ed

t!e ard de. %e$ore dea#ing)

right

rite

write

1ight means "orret" S!e a#wa(s .new t!e rig!t t!ing to sa()

A rite is a eremon( Fina# rites $or t!e deeased were !e#d in t!e

!ur!)

To write is to e1'ress onese#$ in writing R!oda 7oo. writeseer(one a%out !er 'u%#is!ing areer)

rise

raise

1ise is intransitie and does not !ae an o%-et T!e sun rises in t!e

east)

1aise a#wa(s !as an o%-et ?ou an raise a ro' on a $arm or raise

(our !and in #ass)

road

rode

1oad is a #ong 'at! or street to trae# on Lui##e tries to sta( on a

main road w!ereer s!e trae#s)

1ode is 'ast tense o$ ride Mati#da rode !er %i(#e oer a #i$$ %(

aident)

role

roll

A role  is a 'art in a '#a( or moie Mar-orie4s $aorite ro#e o$ !er 

entire moie areer was t!at o$ t!e 3uir.( neig!%or in Keep your 

 Doors Locked ) It an a#so mean "a $untion o$" Mar-orie4s ro#e in

remoing t!e insignia $rom t!e 'o#ie ar door was minor)

1oll is a er% meaning "to turn oer and oer" Diane ro##ed t!e $#at

tire into t!e garage)

sale

sail

A sale is a noun meaning "t!e se##ing o$ somet!ing" Eer( ar sa#e

means a ommission $or t!e sa#esman)

A sail is t!e materia# used to at! wind on a %oat T!e sai# %i##owed

in t!e wind as =ao%4s %oat s#id aross t!e water)

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sale

sell

A sale is a noun meaning "t!e se##ing o$ somet!ing" Eer( ar sa#e

means a ommission $or t!e sa#esman)

To sell* t!e er%* is to o$$er goods $or onsum'tion at a ost Set!

se##s !is 'otter( at art $airs)

sanguinesaturnine

$anguine means "red* rudd( or o'timisti" I am not sanguine a%out(our getting t!is -o%)

$aturnine means "%eing mood(* su##en* or me#an!o#(" Ima Ai.en

$a##s into a saturnine mood eer( time !er !us%and /ad#e( goes awa(

on %usiness)

scene

seen

$cene is a '#ae or iew T!e sene o$ t!e rime was -ust outside !is

window)

$een is 'ast tense o$ see I !ae seen t!at moie t!ree times a#read()

seam

seem

A seam is w!ere two 'iees are -oined T!e seam o$ Letiia4s dress

ri''ed w!en s!e %ent oer)

To seem is to a''ear or #oo. as i$ Letiia seemed un!a''( w!en t!at!a''ened)

semimonthly

bimonthly

See %imont!#(* semimont!#()

sensor

censor

censure

See ensor* sensor* ensure)

sensual

sensuous

$ensual  re$ers to '!(sia#* es'eia##( se1ua#* '#easure Derr( ?are

wears sensua# dresses to attrat men)

$ensuous re$ers to an(t!ing artisti t!at a''ea#s to t!e senses or 

a''etites Marguerita !ad 're'ared a sensua# $east $or !er guests)

serf 

surf 

A serf  is a s#ae or serant Nei# Downe ame $rom a $ami#( o$ ser$s

 %ut rose to %eome a #and#ord)

o surf  is to ride t!e waes o$ water* or to sear! on t!e Internet T!e

sur$ is u' down at t!e %ea!; ou an sur$ t!e Internet some ot!er time)

set

sit

seat

$et  is a transitie er% meaning "to 'ut or '#ae somet!ing so#id

somew!ere" Marin set !is new #am' on t!e ta%#e)

$it means "to rest u'rig!t wit! t!e weig!t on t!e %utto.s or to moe

into su! a 'osition"; t!e 'ast tense is sat  Per( sat down %eside2enea on t!e 'ar. %en!)

$eat an %e a er% meaning "to s!ow someone t!eir seat or w!ere to

sit" T!e waiter seated Murgatro(d at !is usua# ta%#e %( t!e door)

sever

severe

$ever means "to ut t!roug! om'#ete#(" One %#ow $rom =essie4s

!at!et seered t!e ro'e)

$evere means "strit* !ard* e1treme" Seere winter weat!er ame

ear#( t!is (ear) T!ere was a seere tone in Mari#(n4s oie w!en s!e

 %erated Todd $or 'utting t!e ta. in !er !air)

shear   $hear means "to ut o$$" We s!ear s!ee'4s woo# in t!e s'ring and wes!ear t!e !edges in t!e summer)

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sheer   $heer means "'ure* unadu#terated" Fe#iit( $ound t!e amusement

 'ar. a s!eer '#easure) S!eer a#so means "trans'arent" Perr( Win.#e

!ung s!eer urtains in t!e #iing room)

shore

sure

A shore is a %ea! to s'end a aation on t!e s!ore) It a#so means "to

 %rae or su''ort" T!e( s!ored u' t!e #eaning wa## wit! stee# %eams)$ure means "wit!out dou%t" Maria was sure a%out t!e deision to

moe to anot!er ountr()

singly

singularly

$ingly means "one %( one" T!e $ire dri## re3uired eer(one to #eae

t!e %ui#ding 3uiet#( and sing#()

$ingularly means "e1traordinari#(* in an outstanding manner" /e

singu#ar#( $oug!t t!e re%e#s o$$ one %( one)

site

sight

cite

See ite* site* sig!t)

sleight(of(hand

slight(of(hand

$leight of hand re$ers to de1terit( and tri.er( wit! t!e !ands T!e

magiian4s s#eig!t o$ !and $oo#ed t!e audiene)

T!is '!rase is o$ten on$used wit! slight of hand* an ad-etie '!rase

meaning "!aing sma## s#ender !ands")

sole

soul

$ole means "sing#e" T!e so#e remaining 'erson in t!e room #e$t*

#eaing it em't() It a#so means t!e %ottom o$ a $oot or s!oe 2igi

needed new so#es on !er s!oes)

A soul re$ers to t!e s'irit o$ a #iing reature Do (ou %e#iee anima#s

!ae sou#s8

some time

sometime

sometimes

$ome time re$ers to a onsidera%#e 'eriod o$ time I need some time

to t!in. a%out it)

$ometime re$ers to an indistint or unstated time in t!e $uture I4## see

(ou around sometime)

$ometimes is an ader% meaning ontinua##(* o$$ and on*

oasiona##( 9aren sometimes drin.s o$$ee instead o$ tea)

stationary

stationery

$tationary means "sti## and unmoing" T!e at was stationar( unti#

it was time to 'oune on its 're()

$tationery re$ers to writing materia#s su! as 'a'er 0raig too. out

!is %est stationer( to write to !is %e#oed 0!ar#otte Russe)statue

statute

stature

A statue is a ared or s!a'ed imitation o$ an o%-et T!ere is a statue

o$ a #arge %ird is in !er garden)

A statute is #aw T!e goernment 'u%#is!es new statutes ea! (ear)

$tature means "status* standing" 0!ester Drors is a man o$ 

su%stantia# stature in state 'o#itis)

storey

story

$torey is t!e 7ritis! s'e##ing o$ story w!en t!is word re$ers to a $#oor 

o$ a %ui#ding T!e u''er store(s o$ t!e %ui#ding om'rised

a'artments) T!e :S s'e##ing o$ t!is sense o$ t!e word is a#so  story)

A story is a ta#e re#ated in s'ee! or writing %( someone) In t!e :S* it

is a#so t!e s'e##ing used to re$er to t!e $#oor o$ a %ui#ding M( !ome is

t!ree stories !ig!)

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straight

strait

$traight  is an ad-etie t!at means !aing "no %ends or ure"s

Pims#e(4s wa#.ing ane is as straig!t as an arrow)

A strait  is a narrow !anne# onneting two %odies o$ water T!e

7ering Strait #ies %etween A#as.a and Si%eria)

supposedlysupposably

$upposedly means "re'uted#(" or "#i.e#( to %e true" Sam issu''osed#( t!e greatest water%o( in t!e $oot%a## team4s !istor()

$upposably means "an %e su''osed" T!e %est so#ution to t!e

 'ro%#em is su''osa%#( to ignore it) +/oweer* t!is word is se#dom

used),

taut

taught

aut is a #iterar( word t!at means "tig!t" /o#d t!e string taut w!i#e I

mar. t!e #ine)

aught is t!e 'ast tense o$ tea! 9ennet! taug!t eti3uette and good

manners $or seera# (ears)

tenant

tenet

A tenant  is someone w!o rents 'ro'ert( A new tenant moed into

t!e aant a'artment #ast wee.)A tenet is a 'rini'#e T!e ma-or tenets o$ a## re#igions are simi#ar)

than

then

han is used to om'are P!i#i''a 7(rd t!in.s s!e is smarter t!an

an( o$ us)

hen is a word to desri%e a time t!at is not now I 're$er Frida(; it

wou#d %e %etter to meet t!en %eause t!en I wi## %e read()

their

there

they%re

heir is 'ossessie o$ t!e( T!e twins #e$t t!eir %oo.s at !ome)

here re$ers to a '#ae t!at is not !ere We wi## %e t!ere in two !ours)

hey%re  is a ontration $or t!e( are T!e(4re going to a onert

tonig!t)theirself 

theirselves

themself 

themselves

On#( themselves is orret as a re$#e1ie or em'!ati 'ronoun T!e(

gae t!emse#es a## t!e redit $or t!e resue)

threw

through

A#t!oug! t!ese two words are 'ronouned t!e same*threw is t!e 'ast

tense o$ t!e er% throw* meaning "tossed* !ur#ed in t!e air" Mort(

t!rew t!e .e(s to t!e ar to M9in#e()

hrough is a 're'osition meaning "entering t!e inside o$ somet!ing

and oming out t!e ot!er side" 0!u. aidenta#( t!rew a ro. t!roug! Miss 0one'tion4s #iing room window)

throes

throws

hroes  are seere 'ains or di$$iu#t times Wade Riers $ound it

di$$iu#t to #isten to !is iPod in t!e t!roes o$ %att#e)

hrows is t!e '#ura# or 'resent tense o$ t!row Seera# t!rows #ater*

7ud Lig!t managed to 'ut a wad o$ 'a'er in t!e tras! an $rom !is

des.)

til

till

il is a ontration o$ t!e 're'osition until  I won4t see (ou ti#

tomorrow) On#( one L)

ill is a er% meaning "to u#tiate" M( :n#e Emmet ti##s a%out !a#$ 

t!e #and on !is $arm and !erds att#e on t!e rest)

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to

too

two

o is a 're'osition meaning "toward" We go to t!e #a.e eer(

summer) It a#so seres as t!e in$initie 'arti#e $or er%s I want to

sto' on$using words)

oo means "a#so" I4d #oe to go wit! (ou* too)

wo is t!e num%er %etween one and t!ree We !ae two o'tions !ire

a diore #aw(er or a mortiian)

torpid

turgid

orpid means "unres'onsie* #a.ing a#ertness" Prune##a tried to

e#iit answers $rom t!e tor'id students in $ront o$ !er)

urgid means "er( ornate and deoratie" T!e aut!or4s turgid

writing st(#e #ost m( interest 3ui.#() It an a#so mean "swo##en and

 %u#ging" Turgid eins oered !er #egs)

tortuous

torturous

ortuous means "winding* roo.ed* wit! man( twists and turns"

Wi#e( Drier was er( ade't at driing t!e tortuous mountain roads

o$ western Nort! 0aro#ina)

orturous means "er( 'ain$u#* #i.e torture" Mi. Stu'' $ounddoing mat! !omewor. torturous)

undoubtedly

undoubtably

indubitably

T!ese t!ree words ma( %e used inter!angea%#(* meaning "sure*

wit!out a dou%t" Mi#dred was undoubtedly| undoubtably|

indubitably t!e %est %a##et daner o$ a## time)

uninterested

disinterested

See disinterested* uninterested)

vane

vain

vein

A vane is %#ade t!at rotates I don4t .now !ow !ard t!e wind %#ew; it

 %#ew t!e weat!er ane o$$ t!e roo$)

6ain means "$ruit#ess* !o'e#ess* or wit!out resu#t" 7ertie !ar%ors aain !o'e o$ %eoming a wor#d<#ass ie s.ater)

6ein re$ers to t!e tu%es t!at arr( %#ood %a. to t!e !eart T!e eins

are usua##( sma##er t!an t!e arteries)

venal

venial

6enal means "orru'ti%#e* mone(<gru%%ing* #i.e#( to ae't %ri%es"

0!ris 0ross is a man so ena# !e !arged !is mot!er $or ta.ing !er to

t!e !os'ita#)

6enial means "easi#( $orgien" T!e -udge dismissed t!e enia#

rimes and $oused on t!e t!e$t o$ t!e !oo#ates)

versesversus

6erses  is '#ura# o$ erse* a #ine o$ 'oetr( seera# Emerson4s erseswere reited t!at eening)

6ersus means "in om'arison or o''osition to" T!e %ene$its o$ 

!aing a e## '!one ersus not !aing one de'end on t!e indiidua#)

vicious

viscous

6icious means "rue# and mean" A iious dog atta.ed t!e (oung

 %o()

6iscous means "t!i. and sti.(" /one( and tar are isous

su%stanes)

waist

waste

0aist re$ers t!e +o$ten, narrow area o$ a !uman %od( %etween t!e

!i's and ri%s We o$ten wear a %e#t around our waist)

0aste is gar%age* or waste an %e a er% meaning "to use are#ess#("?ou s!ou#dn4t waste $ood and (ou s!ou#d re(#e waste 'a'er)

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wary

weary

0ary means "#eer( and autious" T!e ustomer %eame war( w!en

t!e sa#es'erson said !e wou#d 'ersona##( guarantee t!e T set $or 66

(ears)

0eary means "tired and worn" A$ter a da( o$ !aresting orn* t!e

$armer was er( wear()

wave

waive

To wave is to moe %a. and $ort!; a wave is a swe##ing in a %od( o$ 

water due to moement /e#en /ig!water waed !er !and to t!e %oat

ro.ing in t!e waes)

0aive means "to gie u'* not re3uire or as. $or" Neer waie (our 

rig!t to a #aw(er)

wea 

wee 

0ea  is not strong Fin#e( gae a wea. 'er$ormane; ma(%e %eause

!e !as a wea. mind)

0ee  re$ers to t!e names o$ t!e seen da(s* $rom Sunda( to

Saturda( I go to t!e ie s.ating rin. one a wee.)

wear

ware

were

we%re

0ear  is a er% +wear* wore* worn, meaning to !ae #ot!ing on

Maud L(nn Dresser a#wa(s wears gaud( eening gowns on $orma#

oasions)

0are  is an arti#e o$ mer!andise* a 'rodut +usua##( used in t!e

 '#ura#, T!e 'otter dis'#a(ed !er wares on a %eauti$u# stand made %(

!er !us%and)

0ere is 'ast tense o$ are Maud and !er $iane were at t!e %a## #ast

wee.end)

0e%re is a ontration $or we are We4re going to t!e %a## t!is

wee.end so ma(%e we4## see t!em)

weather

whether

0eather !as to do wit! #imate I !o'e we !ae %eauti$u# weat!er $or 

m( daug!ter4s wedding)

0hether means "i$" and is used on#( inside sentenes I don4t .now

w!et!er to %ring an um%re##a or not)

wet

whet

0et is $u## o$ moisture We !ad to dr( out t!e wet s#ee'ing %ag on our 

am'ing tri' a$ter a sudden storm)

0het is to stimu#ate or arouse Sme##ing t!e stew w!etted !er 

a''etite)

which

witch

0hich means "w!at 'artiu#ar !oie" W!i! wit! 'ut t!e s'e## on

(ou8A witch  is a 'erson w!o %e#iees in or 'raties magi Not a##

wit!es !ae warts on t!eir noses +some !ae t!em on t!eir !ins,)

who%s

whose

0ho%s is a ontration $or who is W!o4s going to ote toda(8

0hose is t!e 'ossessie o$ who meaning "o$ w!om" W!ose ti.ets

are t!ese8

wont

won%t

0ont means "used to" Maggie was wont to getting eer(t!ing !er 

wa( and ried w!en s!e didn4t)

0on%t is a ontration $or wi## not Maggie won4t %e getting eer( to(

s!e wants t!is 0!ristmas)7our is 'ossessie $or (ou ?our idea is $antasti@

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your

you%re

7ou%re is a ontration $or (ou are ?ou4re t!e most treasured 'erson

in m( #i$e)