Confused words in English PDF!
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Similar Words – Video Lesson:
Here is the list of most commonly confusing words in English, these words look similar but their meaning
Few, a few, the few
Few means not many( in number)
- He has few boos, at that place we had few friends.
- She can use a few English words correctly.
A few means some in number
- He has a few books.
- We met a few strange persons on the road.
- The few means those some persons, things, etc.
- The few friends I have are all very able.
Little, a little, the little
- Little means not much
- We have little drinking water.
- There is little truth in your story.
- A little means some in quantity.
- We have a little drinking water.
- There is surely a little truth in your story.
The little means that quantity.
- The little drinking water that we have is boiled.
- Where is the little honey that you had bought in Lahore?
- The little flour here is of really good quality.
Less, fewer
Less is used for quantity, size, etc.
Fewer for number
- She has less sugar than she needs.
- Did he give you less than forty kilograms of wheat?
- She showed less wisdom than her sister.
- Does Ali not have fewer books than john?
- I have seen fewer films than my friends.
Older, oldest, elder, eldest
- Older and oldest are used for persons, animals, birds, things, etc.
- Elder and eldest are used for members of a family. “Than” cannot be placed after “elder”.
- Now “older” and “oldest” are also used for members of a family in modern English
Later, the latest
Later and latest is used in relation to time.
At the latest or at the latest means “ before or not later than.”
- She answered this question later than you.
- He presented his friend with the latest book on this subject.
Former, latter
Formal and latter are used in relation to the position. Former means “the first” and the latter “the second” of two people or things are just spoken of.
- John and Ali are friends; the former is a shopkeeper while the latter is a farmer.
- He is the former prime minister of our country.
- London and Paris are ideally situated; the former on the Thames and the latter on the seine.
Nearest, Near
“Nearest” is used in regard to distance and “next” in regard to position.
- The hotel is the nearest to the Station, and in the building next to it is a computer center.
- Which is the nearest to the bazaar from here?
- Which building is next to our college?
- Next to Hameed, John entered the room.
All Ready and Already
“All ready” and “already” are two commonly confused terms in English, but they have different meanings and uses.
- “Already” is an adverb that means “before now” or “by this time.” It is used to describe something that has happened or been done at an earlier time than expected. For example:
“I already ate breakfast.” (meaning I ate breakfast before now)
“He’s already left for work.” (meaning he left for work before now)
- On the other hand, “all ready” means “completely prepared or ready.” It is used to describe a state of readiness or completion. For example:
“We are all ready to go on the trip.” (meaning we are completely prepared for the trip)
“The food is all ready to be served.” (meaning the food is completely prepared and ready to be served)
In summary, “already” refers to something that happened before now, while “all ready” refers to something that is completely prepared or ready. It’s important to use these terms correctly to avoid confusion or misunderstandings in communication.
Advice vs. Advise:
“I need your advice on this matter.” (meaning opinion or suggestion)
“Can you advise me on how to proceed?” (meaning to give advice or guidance)
Aisle vs. Isle:
“I walked down the aisle to my seat.” (meaning a passage or pathway)
“We took a trip to the Isle of Skye.” (meaning an island)
Among vs. Between:
“The book is among the many on the shelf.” (meaning part of a group)
“The conversation was between two people.” (meaning involving two distinct entities)
Beside vs. Besides:
“I sat beside my friend during the movie.” (meaning next to)
“Besides math, he also enjoys science.” (meaning in addition to)
Cite vs. Site vs. Sight:
“Can you cite the source of that information?” (meaning to quote or reference)
“The construction site is closed on weekends.” (meaning a location where work is being done)
“The view from the top of the mountain was a breathtaking sight.” (meaning something seen or observed)
Conscious vs. Conscience:
“She was conscious of the dangers of the situation.” (meaning aware or awake)
“His conscience wouldn’t let him take credit for someone else’s work.” (meaning a person’s moral sense of right and wrong)
Council vs. Counsel:
“The city council approved the new development project.” (meaning a group of people elected or appointed to make decisions)
“She sought legal counsel regarding her divorce.” (meaning advice or guidance)
Desert vs. Dessert:
“The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world.” (meaning a dry and arid region)
“I’m looking forward to having dessert after dinner.” (meaning a sweet course served after a meal)
Dual vs. Duel:
“The car has dual exhaust pipes.” (meaning two of something)
“The two men had a duel at dawn.” (meaning a fight between two people)
Emigrate vs. Immigrate:
“She emigrated from France to the United States.” (meaning to leave one’s home country)
“He immigrated to Canada from Japan.” (meaning to move to a new country)
Fair vs. Fare:
“The fair is in town this week.” (meaning a public exhibition or event)
“What is the fare for the train to the city?” (meaning the price of transportation)
Flair vs. Flare:
“She has a flair for design.” (meaning a natural talent or skill)
“The fireworks display ended with a big flare.” (meaning a sudden burst of brightness)
Former vs. Latter:
“The former president made a speech at the convention.” (meaning previous or earlier)
“I prefer the latter option.” (meaning the second of two things mentioned)
Forward vs. Foreword:
“He moved forward to the next level of his career.” (meaning in the direction of progress)
“The author wrote a foreword to his new book.” (meaning an introductory statement)
Grisly vs. Grizzly:
“The murder scene was grisly.” (meaning gruesome or horrifying)
“We saw a grizzly bear in the woods.” (meaning a type of large brown bear)
Hear vs. Here:
“Can you hear me now?” (meaning to perceive sounds)
“I am here at the meeting.” (meaning in this place)
INFOGRAPHICS
Confused words in English PDF is at the bottom.
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