Common confusions
There are a number of words that are easily misused or confused with others. Below is a list of some to watch out for.
| affect (verb) | effect (noun) |
| alternate (every other / back and forth) | alternative (another / option) |
| appraise (assess) | apprise (inform) |
| biannual (twice a year) | biennial (every two years) |
| born (birth) | borne (carried) |
| complement (add to) | compliment (praise) |
| continually (repeatedly) | continuously (ceaselessly) |
| councillor (member of council) | counsellor (adviser) |
| current (occurring in present time) | currant (raisin) |
| currently (now) | presently (soon) |
| definite (clearly defined) | definitive (conclusive) |
| dependant (noun) | dependent (adjective) |
| discrete (separate) | discreet (careful) |
| eligible (qualified) | illegible (unreadable) |
| fewer (in number) | less (in amount) |
| flaunt (display) | flout (reject) |
| formally (officially) | formerly (previously) |
| imply (suggest) | infer (deduce) |
| inquiry (an investigation) | enquiry (a question) |
| insure (against risk) | ensure (make certain) |
| invite (verb) | invitation (noun) |
| license (verb) | licence (noun) |
| meter (instrument) | metre (measurement) |
| practise (verb) | practice (noun) |
| principle (concept, moral) | principal (chief) |
| program (software) | programme (schedule, TV) |
| stationary (not moving) | stationery (paper) |
If you have other examples that you'd like to add to this list, please contact the editorial team.