Common errors
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This document discusses commonly confused words in the English language. It identifies four main categories of confused words: 1) homophones that sound the same but have different meanings, 2) etymological/functional variations that come from the same root but have different parts of speech or meanings, 3) transcriptions of colloquialisms that are spelled how they sound in dialects but are different words, and 4) antonyms that are opposite in meaning but not spelling or pronunciation. Examples are provided for each category to illustrate words that are often mixed up.
Common errors
- 3. Introduction In the English language there are some words that are spelled differently but sound exactly the same, and there are some words that are spelled the same but are pronounced differently. Then, there are those words that do not share the same spelling or pronunciation but are often confused. These are your commonly confused words.
- 4. Varieties of Commonly Confused Words 1. Homophones 2. Etymological / functional variations 3. Transcriptions of colloquialisms 4. Antonyms
- 5. Homophones – words that sound alike but have different meanings To, too, two Their, there, they’re Cite, site, sight Principal, principle Right, write, rite, wright
- 6. Etymological/functional variations – words that come from the same root but have evolved toward differing parts of speech or meaning Affect, effect Quote, quotation Advice, advise Conscience, conscious Proceed, precede Accept, except Credible, credulous VERB ADJECTIVE NOUN ROOT
- 7. Transcriptions of colloquialisms Ideal for idea Suppose to for supposed to Use to for used to Ever for every Cause for‘cause (because) Words that are spelled as they sound in oral dialect or imprecisely but are actually spellings of different words
- 8. Antonyms Infer for imply Literally for figuratively Can’t hardly for can hardly Words that are not spelled or pronounced similarly at all but are opposite in meaning. Oddly enough, many speakers and writers confuse such words because they are related in their minds but may have opposite definitions.
- 9. There = where? here? Their = they own it They’re = they are Ways to Remember Whose → those Who’s = who is