English is immense. It is the language with the vastest vocabulary in the world. On top of that, there are new words emerging every single day. Through wide usage, these words become so trendy that they are eventually officially recognized.
No wonder we, English learners, have words we often confuse. The reason could arise from the fact some English words are somehow pronounced the same as the words from our native language, or there is so little difference in pronunciation between some English words that, if it weren’t for the context, we wouldn’t know which word to use. There might also be no reason at all. It is often a personal matter, and we cannot account for why we often confuse certain words.
Today, we will explore some of the commonly confused words in English. First, read and think what the meaning of each word is. Then check your answer. Once you’ve read up on these words, a challenging treat will be waiting for you!
P.S. Where in the Cambridge exams, like B2 First and C1 Advanced, will this practice come in handy? Part 1 in the Reading and Use of English paper is the exam task where you must show control of these commonly confused words. Read more about it and see how to do it well in the following article: How to do the B2 First Reading tasks successfully (& easily)
Name the difference between these commonly confused words
Look at the groups of words below. They are often incorrectly used by English learners. Say the difference between these English confusing words, then unveil their meaning to check how close to their definition your answers are.
The way a person or a thing looks to other people; an occasion when someone appears in public
E.g. physical appearance, smart appearance; television appearance
An expression on someone’s face; the appearance of something
E.g. to have a worried look; to like the look of the (house)
Something that is in someone’s view; the act of seeing
E.g. to keep sight of, out of someone’s sight, to come into sight, to be within sight, to catch/lose sight of, at first sight
What can be seen from a particular location, especially in the distance.
E.g. the view from the top of the mountain, a panoramic view from the top of the roof, a stunning view of the mountain chain, admire the view of
Reach a place, especially at the end of a journey
E.g. arrive at a point, e.g. school; arrive in a larger area e.g. a city/country; arrive back
Arrive at a particular place
E.g. get home, get to the hotel
Arrive at a place after spending a long time or effort travelling; get to a particular level, especially a high one
E.g. reach the coast, reach the top of the mountain; reach the Advanced level in English
Able to operate independently for the most part. To complete the chores, automatic things require a human component. Opposite: manual
E.g. a five-speed automatic transmission, automatic camera, automatic washing machine
Carried out by machines or computers without needing human control. The automated things are more complex than the automatic ones.
E.g. automated check-in machine, automated driving system
A line which is agreed to divide one country from another.
E.g. across the border, be on border of (a country), the border guards.
The outer or furthest point of something.
E.g. the edge of the cake, the edge of the table, the edge of the village.
A long, thin mark on the surface; a group of people standing one behind the other.
E.g. dotted line, horizontal line; walk in a straight line, get/stand in line.
The outer, often curved, circular, and deep, edge of something.
E.g. the rim of the cup, the rim of the glasses, the rim of the volcano.
Countable noun.
A part of a meal served separately from other parts.
E.g. the main course, a four-course lunch.
Countable noun.
Food prepared in a particular way as part of a meal.
E.g. a vegetarian dish.
Something that is eaten or absorbed, to keep people and animals alive.
E.g. buy food, snack foods
Countable noun.
An occasion when food is eaten, or the food eaten on such an occasion.
E.g. a heavy meal, come over for a meal.
Countable noun.
A flat, usually round dish, whose edges are slightly raised, that we eat or serve the food from.
E.g. clean plates, a salad plate.
To receive money as payment for work that we do; to get something that we deserve.
E.g. earn a living, earn dollars; earn a vacation.
To get something that is useful, that gives us an advantage, or that is in some way positive, especially over a period of time.
E.g. gain reputation, gain support, gain control, gain experience.
To achieve first position and/or get a prize in a competition, election, fight, the lottery, etc.
E.g. win the World Cup, win a medal, win a match.
A short journey, usually made for pleasure, often by a group of people, to a place of interest.
E.g. go on an excursion, a weekend excursion to the city.
Noun.
The act of travelling from one place to another, especially in a vehicle; a long, difficult, and often adventurous trip.
E.g. go on long journey, a safe journey, the return train journey; a journey into outer space.
Verb.
To travel somewhere.
E.g. to journey south.
Uncountable noun.
The activity of travelling.
E.g. air travel, foreign travel, business travel.
Verb.
To move from one place to another.
E.g. to like to travel, to travel free, to travel to work, to travel the world.
Countable noun.
A short journey to a place and back again.
E.g. go on a (shopping) trip, take a trip (abroad), a business trip, a trip to Paris, a sightseeing trip.
A long journey, especially by ship.
E.g. on a sea voyage, a voyage across the ocean.
The direction or the route.
E.g. to be on the way to a place, to know my way around the city.
The money that we pay for a journey in a vehicle, the cost of a trip.
E.g. the train fare, rising air fares.
A small piece of paper given to us to show that we have paid.
E.g. a concert ticket, a bus ticket, a lottery ticket.
An amount of money, charge, paid for a piece of work or for a particular right or service.
E.g. university fees, an entrance fee, the lawyer’s fee, the membership fee.
To learn new information about something or someone.
E.g. find out about a surprise party, find out the bus times.
To spend time with someone or something so that we gradually learn more about them.
E.g. get to know each other.
To already have the information bout something.
E.g. know some names, know the way.
To see and talk to someone for the first time; come together with someone intentionally or without intending to.
Countable noun.
A particular type of work or activity which we regularly do to earn money; a particular piece of work.
E.g. have a permanent job, do a well-paid job, apply for a job; do jobs around the house.
Singular noun.
Something that is your responsibility.
E.g. It’s our job to protect the environment.
Uncountable noun.
Something we do, by mental or physical effort, to usually earn money; the material used by someone at work, or what they produce; the place where we go to do our job.
E.g. have much work, start work; take the work home; commute to work.
Countable noun.
Something created as a result of effort, especially a painting, book, or a piece of music.
E.g. works by Michelangelo, works of art.
To become a member of an organization; get involved in an activity or journey with someone.
E.g. join the gym; join the queue, join the family for dinner.
To be actively involved in an activity with other people.
E.g. take part in the play.
To get new knowledge or skills.
E.g. learn cooking, learn a language, learn how to use a machine.
To go to classes, read books, etc to try to understand new ideas and facts.
E.g. study at school, study Physics, study animals’ behaviour.
To give new knowledge or skills to someone.
E.g. teach English to foreign students, teach at school.
Transitive verb. It must take an object.
To put something in especially a flat or horizontal position, usually carefully or for a particular purpose.
E.g. She laid the baby on the bed. I laid the tray on the table.
Intransitive verb. It does not take an object. lying, lay, lain.
To move into a horizontal position.
E.g. lie in bed, lie on my side, lie awake.
To direct our eyes in the direction of something and pay attention to it.
E.g. look at a picture.
To notice something using our eyes.
E.g. A newborn kitten cannot see.
To look at something that is changing or moving for a period of time.
E.g. watch TV, watch a football match, watch people walking past.
An event, or a time when something happens.
E.g. on special occasions, a historic occasion.
A situation which gives us the possibility to do something that we want.
Synonym: a chance to do something.
E.g. have the opportunity to travel, opportunity of seeing stunning views.
A chance that something may happen or be true. It is followed by “of” or “that”-clause.
Synonym: a chance of (doing) something.
E.g. the possibility of working.
Transitive verb. It must take an object.
To lift something to a higher position; to cause something to increase, or become bigger, better, higher, etc.
E.g. I raise my hand. They raised the prices. She raised her voice.
Intransitive verb. It does not take an object. rise, rose, risen.
To move upwards, to stand, to get out of bed.
E.g. The sun rises. Taxes rise.
Commonly confused words CHALLENGE
You are now ready to put to test your knowledge of these commonly confused words. We have prepared three quizzes for you. Looking for a clue? Click on the hint button. It is there for you, ready and waiting!
Quiz ONE
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Question 1 of 10
1. Question
Fill in the blank
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“When one , two learn.” by Robert Heinlein
CorrectIncorrectHint
This is what the teacher does.
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Question 2 of 10
2. Question
We | when we fail.
CorrectIncorrectHint
We get better only when we make mistakes.
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Question 3 of 10
3. Question
The senior students asked the principal to | them with the choice of venue for the graduation ceremony.
CorrectIncorrectHint
Help someone
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Question 4 of 10
4. Question
We | some secret information when someone spills the beans.
CorrectIncorrectHint
We learn new information.
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Question 5 of 10
5. Question
Having a pillow fight is much | .
CorrectIncorrectHint
Something that is enjoyable.
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Question 6 of 10
6. Question
Fill in the blank
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I feel dizzy. I need to down.
CorrectIncorrectHint
We move into a horizontal position.
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Question 7 of 10
7. Question
What an absent-minded person I am! I am always | things.
CorrectIncorrectHint
We no longer have these things, or we don’t remember them
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Question 8 of 10
8. Question
We showed our passport when we crossed the | .
CorrectIncorrectHint
Something that divides one country from another.
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Question 9 of 10
9. Question
Fill in the blank
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The hotel has a great of the sea.
CorrectIncorrectHint
You can see the sea from the hotel.
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Question 10 of 10
10. Question
Fill in the blank
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Most museums in London don’t charge an admission .
CorrectIncorrectHint
It is the money to enter the museum, not the piece of paper.
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Quiz TWO
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Question 1 of 9
1. Question
Fill in the blank
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When I am 18, I’m interested in to drive.
CorrectIncorrectHint
Driving is a skill, just like cooking or speaking English.
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Question 2 of 9
2. Question
Fill in the blank
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I have been classes for two years.
CorrectIncorrectHint
I was officially registered for classes.
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Question 3 of 9
3. Question
Fill in the blank
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Breakfast, brunch, lunch, tea (UK), dinner (UK supper) are .
CorrectIncorrectHint
Occasions when food is eaten.
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Question 4 of 9
4. Question
Would you like to | my parents?
CorrectIncorrectHint
To come together, spend time with someone.
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Question 5 of 9
5. Question
Fill in the blank
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What a hilarious film! It was so .
CorrectIncorrectHint
We laugh a lot when something is humorous.
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Question 6 of 9
6. Question
Thanks for the invitation. I’d love to | you for dinner.
CorrectIncorrectHint
To get involved in an activity with someone.
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Question 7 of 9
7. Question
How much money do you | a month?
CorrectIncorrectHint
We receive money as payment for work
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Question 8 of 9
8. Question
The commuters find the bus | quite expensive.
CorrectIncorrectHint
The cost of the bus journey
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Question 9 of 9
9. Question
We have finally | our destination.
CorrectIncorrectHint
To spend a long time travelling
Quiz THREE
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Question 1 of 9
1. Question
I have been | for my doctorate in Medicine for two years.
CorrectIncorrectHint
This is what we do at school or college.
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Question 2 of 9
2. Question
A lot of people are expected to | the open day ceremony.
CorrectIncorrectHint
Go to an event
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Question 3 of 9
3. Question
What do we cook?
CorrectIncorrectHint
We cook something that can be eaten.
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Question 4 of 9
4. Question
When we do the dishes, we | .
CorrectIncorrectHint
It is a household chore.
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Question 5 of 9
5. Question
Fill in the blank
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I my best friend since we were at the nursery school together.
CorrectIncorrectHint
I am familiar with this person.
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Question 6 of 9
6. Question
Fill in the blank.
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Both children and their families were invited to in the end-of-year performance.
CorrectIncorrectHint
To actively participate in an event.
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Question 7 of 9
7. Question
Fill in the blank
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One of the school rules is to our hand before we speak.
CorrectIncorrectHint
We lift our hand, we don’t stand up.
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Question 8 of 9
8. Question
Fill in the blank
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You are such a heavy bag! Shall I lend you a hand?
CorrectIncorrectHint
The bag is not an item of clothing or jewellery.
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Question 9 of 9
9. Question
The onward | wasn’t nearly as hard as the homeward one.
CorrectIncorrectHint
Travel in a vehicle from one point to another
How’s it been? Are you right on the money?! Any mistakes? Cheer up! You will do it better next time!
I hope you have found in the list we have prepared for you those confusing words you personally still make mistakes with. I have included the most commonly confused words, those that my students, throughout my teaching experience, were again and again making mistakes with. But let me tell you one thing, you’ve made a mistake once, the same mistake twice, three times, it’s OK, we are ALL learning. This is a never-ending process. Welcome and respect the mistakes.
Once you’ve realized you have used the wrong word? Self-correct yourself. You won’t believe how happy a teacher or speaking examiner is when you do so.
What other commonly confused words would you add? Feel free to let us know.
Stay tuned for more words of advice and handy material!
