We all know English is a crazy language, with lots of different words sharing the same spelling and pronunciation.\u00a0\u00a0Some of these words are confusing even for native speakers, especially in writing.<\/p>\n
To help you out, we’ve created this list. On it, you’ll find some pairs of similar-sounding English words that confuse people all the time.<\/p>\n
We’ve also covered some of these words in this video from our YouTube channel<\/a>:<\/p>\n [fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Accept<\/strong> means to agree to take something that is offered. You probably see this word all the time when you visit websites or sign contracts (“I accept<\/em> the terms and conditions.”).<\/p>\n I accept<\/em> that this bad thing has happened.<\/p>\n Except<\/strong> means that the word after “except” is not included in a group. Often (but not always), “except” is written as “except for.<\/em>“<\/p>\n Everyone is going to the park except<\/em> for Sarah.<\/p>\n Advice<\/strong>, with an \u201cs\u201d sound, is a noun that means words meant to help someone.<\/p>\n My father gave me one piece of\u00a0advice<\/em>: \u201cAlways be on time.\u201d<\/p>\n Advise<\/strong>, with a \u201cz\u201d sound, is a verb. It refers to the act<\/em> of giving advice.<\/p>\n She advised<\/i> me to invest my money more carefully.<\/p>\n Affect <\/strong>is a verb that refers to how<\/em> particular actions will cause certain results or consequences.<\/p>\n I’m worried that your lazy habits will affect<\/i> your studies.<\/p>\n Effect<\/strong> is a noun that refers to the results<\/em> or consequences of particular actions.<\/p>\n Before you start an argument with your boss, consider the effects<\/i> of your actions.<\/p>\n Aid<\/strong> is a noun that means help or assistance.<\/p>\n The Red Cross provides aid<\/em> to disaster victims.<\/p>\n Aide<\/strong> is a person<\/em> who assists or helps. They typically work for people who are considered important.<\/p>\n The president’s aide<\/em> handed him important documents.<\/p>\n Aisle<\/strong> means a passage between rows of seats in a building, like in a church or a theater.<\/p>\n Someday, I will walk down a church aisle<\/em> and get married.<\/p>\n Isle<\/strong> means a small island.<\/p>\n We visited a beautiful isle<\/em> during our vacation.<\/p>\n “Allude” and “elude” sound the same when you’re saying them fast. But when you’re saying them slowly, the first syllable of “allude” has an “ah” sound, while the first syllable of “elude” has an “eh” sound.<\/p>\n Allude<\/strong> means to mention something indirectly or briefly.<\/p>\n She alluded<\/em> to her favorite book in the conversation.<\/p>\n Elude<\/strong> means to escape or avoid, usually in a skillful or clever way.<\/p>\n The clever fox was able to elude<\/em> the hunters.<\/p>\n Altar<\/strong> is a noun that refers to the table used in religious ceremonies.<\/p>\n The priest delivered his sermon with the church altar <\/em>behind him.<\/p>\n Alter<\/strong> is a verb that means to change or modify.<\/p>\n She decided to alter<\/em> her dress so it would fit her better.<\/p>\n Bear<\/strong> is a verb that has several possible meanings. It can mean to hold up or support a heavy weight, and to suffer or endure difficulties. It can also be a noun that refers to the big, hairy animal that lives in forests!<\/p>\n I cannot\u00a0bear<\/i> to see my son in pain. (verb)<\/p>\n That chair is too old to bear <\/em>your weight. (verb)<\/p>\n Getting between a mother bear<\/em> and its cub is dangerous. (noun)<\/p>\n Bare<\/strong>, meanwhile, can be an adjective<\/a> that means naked or uncovered, or a verb which means to uncover or reveal.<\/p>\n Visitors to the temple must not have bare<\/i> arms or legs, so wear long pants and a jacket. (adjective)<\/p>\n I bared<\/i> my arm to show them my new tattoo. (verb)<\/p>\n Break<\/strong> is a verb that means to separate into pieces or to interrupt.<\/p>\n Be careful not to break<\/em> the vase.<\/p>\n Brake<\/strong> is a noun that refers to a mechanism used to stop or slow down a vehicle.<\/p>\n To stop the car, press your foot on the brake <\/em>pedal.<\/p>\n Breach<\/strong> can be a noun that refers to a gap. It can also be a verb that refers to the act of breaking something.<\/p>\n There was a breach <\/em>in the company’s security system. (noun)<\/p>\n The invading army breached <\/em>the walls of the city. (verb)<\/p>\n Breech<\/strong> refers to the part behind a gun barrel.<\/p>\n He carefully cleaned and inspected the breech <\/em>of his gun.<\/p>\n Breathe<\/strong> is a verb that means to\u00a0inhale<\/em> (take in) and\u00a0exhale<\/em> (let out) air.<\/p>\n Breathe<\/em> deeply and relax.<\/p>\n Breath<\/strong> is a noun that refers to a single inhalation<\/em> (act of taking in air) or\u00a0exhalation<\/em> (act of letting out air).<\/p>\n He took a breath<\/em> before speaking.<\/p>\n Canvas<\/strong> is a noun that refers to the heavy fabric used for painting or making sails.<\/p>\n She painted a beautiful picture on the canvas<\/em>.<\/p>\n Canvass<\/strong> is a verb that means to\u00a0solicit<\/em> (seek) opinions or votes.<\/p>\n Volunteers went door to door to canvass<\/em> support for the candidate.<\/p>\n Capital<\/strong> refers to the city that usually serves as the center of government of a country.<\/p>\n Washington, D.C. is the capital<\/em> of the United States.<\/p>\n Capitol<\/strong>, on the other hand, refers to the building where a\u00a0legislative body<\/em> (group of people who make laws) meets.<\/p>\n The lawmakers gathered at the capitol<\/em> to discuss new laws.<\/p>\n Censor<\/strong> is a verb that means to examine and remove inappropriate material (like those that contain scenes with violence, sex or offensive language). It can also be a noun that refers to the organization or group doing the censoring.<\/p>\n The movie was censored<\/em> to make it suitable for all audiences. (verb)<\/p>\n The censor<\/em> approved the novel for publication, even though it contained statements that are offensive to minority groups. (noun)<\/p>\n Censure<\/strong> can also be a verb and noun. The verb is the act <\/em>of expressing disapproval or criticism, while the noun is the disapproval or criticism itself.<\/p>\n The star employee was censured <\/em>when the board of directors found out he was using company funds illegally. (verb)<\/p>\n The politician faced strong censure <\/em>for his remarks against minority groups. (noun)<\/p>\n Cite<\/strong> is a verb that means to quote or mention as evidence or example. If you are at school, you’re probably encouraged to do this to avoid plagiarism<\/em> (copying other people’s words or ideas in a way that violates rights or laws).<\/p>\n You should always cite <\/em>your sources in your essays.<\/p>\n Site<\/strong> is a noun that refers to a location or place.<\/p>\n The construction site<\/em> is noisy during the day.<\/p>\n Compliment <\/strong>can be a verb and a noun. The verb refers to the act <\/em>of saying nice things to someone, while the noun refers to the nice things being said.<\/p>\n I\u00a0complimented<\/i> my sister on her delicious cooking. (verb)<\/p>\n I gave my sister a compliment<\/em> on her delicious cooking. (noun)<\/p>\n Complement<\/strong> is a verb that talks about two things that go well together or complete each other. This word is often used in food and fashion to describe matching styles or ingredients.<\/p>\n My blue tie really complements<\/i> my white shirt.<\/p>\n That wine complements<\/em> the meat dish well.<\/p>\n Desert <\/strong>can be a noun or a verb. As a noun, it refers to a hot, sandy area, and is pronounced with the stress<\/a> on the first syllable. As a verb, it refers to the act of leaving something (like military service), and is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable.<\/p>\n I felt thirsty after traveling through the desert<\/em> for a long time. (noun)<\/p>\n To desert <\/em>the army during wartime is a serious offense. (verb)<\/p>\n Dessert<\/strong>, on the other hand, is always a noun. It refers to the (usually sweet) food you eat after a main course or meal.<\/p>\n We had fresh fruits for dessert<\/em>.<\/p>\n Device<\/strong> is a noun that refers to a tool, gadget or machine. It is pronounced with an “s” sound.<\/p>\n His smartphone is a useful device<\/em> for communication.<\/p>\n Devise<\/strong> is a verb that means to plan, create or invent. It is pronounced with a “z” sound.<\/p>\n She was able to devise<\/em> a clever solution to the problem.<\/p>\n Discreet<\/strong> is an adjective that means to show caution or care about what is being said or done.<\/p>\n She was discreet<\/em> when sharing her private information.<\/p>\n Discrete<\/strong> means separate or distinct.<\/p>\n The book is divided into discrete<\/em> chapters.<\/p>\n Disinterested <\/strong>means impartial, objective or not taking a side in an argument.<\/p>\n Often, a stranger can make a disinterested<\/em> and fair decision more easily than a family member.<\/p>\n Uninterested<\/strong>, on the other hand, means not interested or bored.<\/p>\n The children wanted to play outside and were very uninterested<\/em> in doing any studying.<\/p>\n Dual<\/strong> is an adjective that refers to having two parts.<\/p>\n The car has dual<\/em> exhaust pipes.<\/p>\n Duel<\/strong> is a noun that refers to a formal fight between two people.<\/p>\n In the old days, people would engage in duels<\/em> to settle arguments.<\/p>\n Elicit<\/strong> is a verb that means to draw out a reaction or information.<\/p>\n The teacher tried to elicit<\/em> answers from the shy student.<\/p>\n Illicit<\/strong> is an adjective that means illegal, forbidden or against the law.<\/p>\n He was involved in illicit<\/em> activities and got into trouble with the law.<\/p>\n Flare<\/strong> is a sudden burst of light or fire. When it’s used in the phrase “flare<\/em> up,”, it means something that suddenly appears and gets more intense or worse (like a disease).<\/p>\n The fireworks produced a colorful flare<\/em> in the sky.<\/p>\n Breathing the city smoke caused Andrew’s asthma to flare <\/em>up.<\/p>\n Her temper flared<\/em> up after what he said.<\/p>\n Flair<\/strong> means a natural talent or\u00a0distinctive<\/em> (unique or different) style.<\/p>\n My sister has a flair<\/em> for interior design.<\/p>\n Forth<\/strong> is an adverb<\/a> that means to go forward.<\/p>\n He stepped forth<\/em> to accept the award.<\/p>\n Fourth<\/strong> is the number or position that follows “third.”<\/p>\n The fourth<\/em> book in the popular fantasy series was just released.<\/p>\n Further<\/strong>, with fur<\/em>, is used for more abstract situations.<\/p>\n The professor told us: “If you have any further<\/i> questions, you can ask me at the end.\u201d<\/p>\n Farther<\/strong>, with far<\/em>, is used when talking about physical distance.<\/p>\n How much farther<\/i> until we reach our destination?<\/p>\n Gorilla<\/strong> refers to a large and powerful ape.<\/p>\n The gorilla<\/em> at the zoo was very strong.<\/p>\n Guerrilla<\/strong> refers to a member of a military force that is smaller and less organized than the ones run by governments.<\/p>\n The guerrilla<\/em> group was made up of ordinary citizens who chose to fight.<\/p>\n Hung<\/strong> is the past tense<\/a> of the verb “hang,” most of the time.<\/p>\n I hung<\/em> the painting on the wall.<\/p>\n Hanged<\/strong> is also the past tense of “hang,” but it has a very different meaning. It means to execute a criminal by hanging them with a rope.<\/p>\n The judge sentenced the murderer to be hanged<\/i>.<\/p>\n Hear<\/strong> is a verb that means to perceive sound with the ears.<\/p>\n Can you hear<\/em> the birds singing outside?<\/p>\n Here<\/strong> is an adverb that refers to a location close to the speaker.<\/p>\n Come here<\/em> and sit next to me.<\/p>\n It’s<\/strong> is a contraction<\/a> of “it is” or “it has.”<\/p>\n1. Accept and Except<\/h2>\n
2. Advice and Advise<\/h2>\n
3. Affect and Effect<\/h2>\n
4. Aid and Aide<\/h2>\n
5. Aisle and Isle<\/h2>\n
6. Allude and Elude<\/h2>\n
7. Altar and Alter<\/h2>\n
8. Bear and Bare<\/h2>\n
9. Break and Brake<\/h2>\n
10. Breach and Breech<\/h2>\n
11. Breathe and Breath<\/h2>\n
12. Canvas and Canvass<\/h2>\n
13. Capital and Capitol<\/h2>\n
14. Censor and Censure<\/h2>\n
15. Cite and Site<\/h2>\n
16. Compliment and Complement<\/h2>\n
17. Desert and Dessert<\/h2>\n
18. Device and Devise<\/h2>\n
19. Discreet and Discrete<\/h2>\n
20. Disinterested and Uninterested<\/h2>\n
21. Dual and Duel<\/h2>\n
22. Elicit and Illicit<\/h2>\n
23. Flare and Flair<\/h2>\n
24. Forth and Fourth<\/h2>\n
25. Further and Farther<\/h2>\n
26. Gorilla and Guerrilla<\/h2>\n
27. Hanged and Hung<\/h2>\n
28. Hear and Here<\/h2>\n
29. It’s and Its<\/h2>\n