Commonly Confused Words

Many exam questions test pairs of words that look or sound alike. Learn each pair with an example.

Than / then

• Than compares: She is taller than me.
• Then is about time or sequence: Finish your work, then rest.

Affect / effect

• Affect is usually a verb (to influence): Smoking affects health.
• Effect is usually a noun (a result): Smoking has a bad effect on health.

Principal / principle

• Principal — the head of a school; main: the principal reason.
• Principle — a rule or belief: a man of principle.

Lose / loose

• Lose — to fail to keep: Don't lose your ticket.
• Loose — not tight: a loose shirt.

Advice / advise

• Advice (noun): Take my advice.
• Advise (verb): I advise you to rest.

The same pattern works for practice (noun) / practise (verb) in British English.

Stationary / stationery

• Stationary — not moving: a stationary car.
• Stationery — paper, pens and envelopes. Tip: stationEry has E for envelopes.

Its / it's, your / you're, their / there / they're

Accept / except

• Accept — to receive or agree: accept an offer.
• Except — but not: everyone except Ali.

Compliment / complement

• Compliment — praise: She paid me a compliment.
• Complement — something that completes: The sauce complements the rice.

Emigrate / immigrate

• Emigrate — leave your country (Exit). Immigrate — come Into a new country.

Fewer / less

• Fewer with countable nouns: fewer mistakes. Less with uncountable nouns: less sugar.

Beside / besides

• Beside — next to. Besides — in addition to.