Breakfast cereal flakes. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Is English really a difficult language to learn? Dye and Die are two different words with different meanings, but when someone speaks it out, you will have difficulties in identifying which is which depending on the usage of the context.
For some learners, they will really get confused with most of the English words that have the same or almost the same pronunciation. That is why when you learn English abroad; you should really get to analyze each of the word you will encounter in.
Surely learners who will be able to learn English at language school in England will include these topics in their lessons. Here are some of those commonly confused words in English that you should really know.
Accept vs. except
Accept is to agree to receive or do
Except is not including
Advice vs. advise
Advice is the recommendations about what to do
Advise is to recommend something
Bazaar vs. bizarre
Bazaar is a Middle Eastern market
Bizarre means strange
Breach vs. breech
Breach means to break through, or break a rule; a gap
Breech is the back part of a gun barrel
Cereal vs. serial
Cereal is a grass producing an edible grain; a breakfast food made from grains
Serial is happening in a series
Complement vs. compliment
Complement means to add to so as to improve; an addition that improves something
Compliment is to praise or express approval; an admiring remark
Discreet vs. discrete
Discreet is being careful not to attract attention
Discrete means to be separate and distinct
Dual vs. duel
Dual is having two parts
Duel means a fight or contest between two people
Envelop vs. envelope
Envelop is to cover or surround
Envelope is a paper container for a letter
Exercise vs. exorcise
Exercise is the physical activity; to do physical activity
Exorcise means to drive out an evil spirit
Fawn vs. faun
Fawn is a young deer; light brown
Faun is a mythical being, part man, part goat
Foreword vs. forward
Foreword is what we call an introduction to a book
Forward means onwards, ahead
Freeze vs. frieze
Freeze is to turn to ice
Frieze is a decoration along a wall
Grisly vs. grizzly
Grisly means gruesome, revolting
Grizzly is a type of bear
Meter vs. metre
Meter is a measuring device
Metre is a metric unit; rhythm in verse
Stationary vs. stationery
Stationary means not moving
Stationery is writing materials
Wreath vs. wreathe
Wreath is what’s known as a ring-shaped arrangement of flowers etc.
Wreathe means to surround or encircle
Confused? Don’t be. A little knowing and analysis are enough to make these words easy.
