Common Confusables

Question 1

Choose the correct word:

Be discreet/discrete when handling confidential information.

Answer 1

discreet

Use discreet for careful and unobtrusive. Be discreet about it.

Use discrete for separate or distinct. discrete units

Question 2

Choose the correct word:

Be careful not to brake/break the vase.

Answer 2

break

Use brake for a device to stop or to stop. Apply the brake.

Use break to shatter or interrupt. Break the glass.

Question 3

Choose the correct word:

Can you advice/advise me on this issue?

Answer 3

advise

Use advice as a noun for recommendation. Take my advice.

Use advise as a verb to give advice. Advise the client.

Question 4

Choose the correct word:

I used to/usually live in New York, but now I live in London.

Answer 4

used to

Use used to for past habits or states that no longer happen. I used to live in New York.

Use usually as an adverb for something that happens often or regularly. I usually eat breakfast.

Question 5

Choose the correct word:

Don’t presume/assume anything without facts.

Answer 5

assume

Use presume to suppose based on probability. Presume innocence

Use assume to suppose without proof. Assume the role

Question 6

Choose the correct word:

Everyone accept/except John attended the meeting.

Answer 6

except

Use accept to receive or agree to. Accept the offer.

Use except for excluding. All except one.

Question 7

Choose the correct word:

Finish your homework than/then play outside.

Answer 7

then

Use than for comparisons. Better than expected.

Use then for time or sequence. First this, then that.

Question 8

Choose the correct word:

He is adverse/averse to trying new foods.

Answer 8

averse

Use adverse for unfavorable or harmful. Adverse effects

Use averse for having a strong dislike. Averse to change

Question 9

Choose the correct word:

He sticks to his moral principle/principal.

Answer 9

principle

Use principle for a fundamental truth or rule. A man of principle

Use principal for the head of a school or main thing. The principal sent everyone home.

Question 10

Choose the correct word:

He would often allude/elude to his past experiences.

Answer 10

allude

Use allude to refer indirectly. Allude to the incident.

Use elude to evade or escape. The answer eludes me.

Question 11

Choose the correct word:

How much farther/further can you walk today?

Answer 11

farther

Use farther for physical distance. Walk farther down the road.

Use further for figurative distance or degree. Let’s discuss this further.

Question 12

Choose the correct word:

I accept/except your apology.

Answer 12

accept

Use accept to receive or agree to. Accept the offer.

Use except for excluding. All except one.

Question 13

Choose the correct word:

I presume/assume he’s innocent until proven guilty.

Answer 13

presume

Use presume to suppose based on probability. Presume innocence

Use assume to suppose without proof. Assume the role.

Question 14

Choose the correct word:

I can’t bear/bare the pain anymore.

Answer 14

bear

Use bear to endure or carry. Bear the burden

Use bare for uncovered or minimal. Bare essentials

Question 15

Choose the correct word:

I don’t want to loose/lose my phone again.

Answer 15

lose

Use loose for not tight. Loose clothing

Use lose to misplace or fail to win. Lose the game.

Question 16

Choose the correct word:

I need to buy new stationary/stationery for the office.

Answer 16

stationery

Use stationary for not moving. A stationary bike

Use stationery for writing materials. Buy some stationery.

Question 17

Choose the correct word:

Who/Whom did you give the book to?

Answer 17

Whom

Use who as the subject of a verb. Who is calling?

Use whom as the object of a verb or preposition. To whom it may concern.

Question 18

Choose the correct word:

I think I need to lay/lie down for a while.

Answer 18

lie

Use lay to mean place something down. Lay the book on the table.

Use lie to mean recline. I need to lie down.

Question 19

Choose the correct word:

Many people emigrate/immigrate from their home countries.

Answer 19

emigrate

Use emigrate to leave one’s country. Emigrate from Italy.

Use immigrate to enter a new country to live. Immigrate to Canada.

Question 20

Choose the correct word:

Paris is the capital/capitol of France.

Answer 20

capital

Use capital for a city where government is based or wealth. Capital city

Use capitol for a building housing a legislature. Visit the capitol.

Question 21

Choose the correct word:

Please cite/site your sources in the report.

Answer 21

cite

Use cite to quote or reference. Cite the article.

Use site for a location. Construction site

Question 22

Choose the correct word:

Please ensure/insure that the package arrives safely.

Answer 22

ensure

Use ensure to make certain. Ensure the door is locked.

Use insure to protect against risk via insurance. Insure your car against theft.

Question 23

Choose the correct word:

Please lay/lie the book on the table.

Answer 23

lay

Use lay to mean place something down. Lay the book on the table.

Use lie to mean recline. I need to lie down.

Question 24

Choose the correct word:

Please precede/proceed with the plan as discussed.

Answer 24

proceed

Use precede to come before. Precede the meeting.

Use proceed to continue or go forward. Proceed with caution.

Question 25

# Choose the correct word: She **lead/led** the team to victory last year.

Answer 25

led ## Footnote Use **lead** as a metal or to guide (present). *Lead pipe* Use **led** as the past tense of lead (to guide). *He led the way.*

Question 26

# Choose the correct word: He gave me valuable **advice/advise** on career choices.

Answer 26

advice ## Footnote Use **advice** as a noun for recommendation. *Take my advice.* Use **advise** as a verb to give advice. *Advise the client.*

Question 27

# Choose the correct word: He has **fewer/less** patience than before.

Answer 27

less ## Footnote Use **fewer** for countable nouns. *Fewer items* Use **less** for uncountable nouns. *Less water*

Question 28

# Choose the correct word: She is an **imminent/eminent** expert in her field.

Answer 28

eminent ## Footnote Use **imminent** for about to happen. *Imminent danger* Use **eminent** for distinguished or prominent. *An eminent scientist*

Question 29

# Choose the correct word: You are smarter **than/then** I am.

Answer 29

than ## Footnote Use **than** for comparisons. *Better than expected.* Use **then** for time or sequence. *First this, then that.*

Question 30

# Choose the correct word: He **usually/used to** arrives at work by 9 AM.

Answer 30

usually ## Footnote Use **used to** for past habits or states that no longer happen. *I used to live in New York.* Use **usually** as an adverb for something that happens often or regularly. *I usually eat breakfast.*

Question 31

# Choose the correct word: She received a nice **complement/compliment** on her work.

Answer 31

compliment ## Footnote Use **complement** to complete or enhance. *The wine complements the meal.* Use **compliment** to praise. *He gave her a compliment.*

Question 32

# Choose the correct word: He asked for **council/counsel** from his advisor.

Answer 32

counsel ## Footnote Use **council** for a group meeting for discussion. *City council* Use **counsel** for advice or a lawyer. *Seek counsel*

Question 33

# Choose the correct word: **Who/Whom** is coming to the party?

Answer 33

Who ## Footnote Use **who** as the subject of a verb. *Who is calling?* Use **whom** as the object of a verb or preposition. *To whom it may concern.*

Question 34

# Choose the correct word: Step on the **brake/break** to stop the car.

Answer 34

brake ## Footnote Use **brake** for a device to stop or to stop. *Apply the brake.* Use **break** to shatter or interrupt. *Break the glass.*

Question 35

# Choose the correct word: The **capital/capitol** building is in Washington, D.C.

Answer 35

capitol ## Footnote Use **capital** for a city where government is based or wealth. *Capital city* Use **capitol** for a building housing a legislature. *Visit the capitol.*

Question 36

# Choose the correct word: The construction **cite/site** is nearby.

Answer 36

site ## Footnote Use **cite** to quote or reference. *Cite the article.* Use **site** for a location. *Construction site*

Question 37

# Choose the correct word: The couple stood at the **altar/alter** during the ceremony.

Answer 37

altar ## Footnote Use **altar** for a raised structure for religious rites. *Church altar* Use **alter** to change. *Alter the dress.*

Question 38

# Choose the correct word: The deadline is **imminent/eminent**, so hurry up.

Answer 38

imminent ## Footnote Use **imminent** for about to happen. *Imminent danger* Use **eminent** for distinguished or prominent. *An eminent scientist*

Question 39

# Choose the correct word: The new law had a positive **affect/effect** on the community.

Answer 39

effect ## Footnote Use **affect** as a verb for influencing something. *The news affected her deeply.* Use **effect** as a noun for a result. *The effect was noticeable.*

Question 40

# Choose the correct word: The object remained **stationary/stationery** during the experiment.

Answer 40

stationary ## Footnote Use **stationary** for not moving. *Ride the stationary bike.* Use **stationery** for writing materials. *Buy some stationery.*

Question 41

# Choose the correct word: The opening remarks will **precede/proceed** the main speech.

Answer 41

precede ## Footnote Use **precede** to come before. *Precede the meeting.* Use **proceed** to continue or go forward. *Proceed with caution.*

Question 42

# Choose the correct word: The pipe is made of **lead/led**.

Answer 42

lead ## Footnote Use **lead** as a metal or to guide (present). *Lead pipe* Use **led** as the past tense of lead (to guide). *He led the way.*

Question 43

# Choose the correct word: The question was designed to **elicit/illicit** a response.

Answer 43

elicit ## Footnote Use **elicit** to draw out a response. *Elicit information* Use **illicit** for illegal or forbidden. *Illicit drugs*

Question 44

# Choose the correct word: The Sahara is a vast **desert/dessert**.

Answer 44

desert ## Footnote Use **desert** for a dry area or to abandon. *Sahara desert* Use **dessert** for a sweet course after a meal. *Chocolate dessert*

Question 45

# Choose the correct word: The school's **principle/principal** greeted the students.

Answer 45

principal ## Footnote Use **principle** for a fundamental truth or rule. *A man of principle* Use **principal** for the head of a school or main thing. *The principal amount*

Question 46

# Choose the correct word: The solution continues to **allude/elude** me.

Answer 46

elude ## Footnote Use **allude** to refer indirectly. *Allude to the incident.* Use **elude** to evade or escape. *The answer eludes me.*

Question 47

# Choose the correct word: The system is divided into **discreet/discrete** components.

Answer 47

discrete ## Footnote Use **discreet** for careful and unobtrusive. *Be discreet about it.* Use **discrete** for separate or distinct. *discrete units*

Question 48

# Choose the correct word: The team faced **adverse/averse** weather conditions.

Answer 48

adverse ## Footnote Use **adverse** for unfavorable or harmful. *Adverse effects* Use **averse** for having a strong dislike. *Averse to change*

Question 49

# Choose the correct word: The town **council/counsel** approved the new budget.

Answer 49

council ## Footnote Use **council** for a group meeting for discussion. *City council* Use **counsel** for advice or a lawyer. *Seek counsel*

Question 50

# Choose the correct word: The tree was **bear/bare** in winter.

Answer 50

bare ## Footnote Use **bear** to endure or carry. *Bear the burden* Use **bare** for uncovered or minimal. *Bare essentials*

Question 51

# Choose the correct word: The weather can **affect/effect** your mood.

Answer 51

affect ## Footnote Use **affect** as a verb for influencing something. *The news affected her deeply.* Use **effect** as a noun for a result. *The effect was noticeable.*

Question 52

# Choose the correct word: The wine **complements/compliments** the meal perfectly.

Answer 52

complements ## Footnote Use **complement** to complete or enhance. *The wine complements the meal.* Use **compliment** to praise. *He gave her a compliment.*

Question 53

# Choose the correct word: There are **fewer/less** cars on the road today.

Answer 53

fewer ## Footnote Use **fewer** for countable nouns. *Fewer items* Use **less** for uncountable nouns. *Less water*

Question 54

# Choose the correct word: These pants are too **loose/lose** around the waist.

Answer 54

loose ## Footnote Use **loose** for not tight. *Loose clothing* Use **lose** to misplace or fail to win. *Lose the game.*

Question 55

# Choose the correct word: They plan to **emigrate/immigrate** to the United States.

Answer 55

immigrate ## Footnote Use **emigrate** to leave one's country. *Emigrate from Italy.* Use **immigrate** to enter a new country to live. *Immigrate to the USA.*

Question 56

# Choose the correct word: They were involved in **elicit/illicit** trading.

Answer 56

illicit ## Footnote Use **elicit** to draw out a response. *Elicit information* Use **illicit** for illegal or forbidden. *Illicit drugs*

Question 57

# Choose the correct word: We had ice cream for **desert/dessert**.

Answer 57

dessert ## Footnote Use **desert** for a dry area or to abandon. *Sahara desert* Use **dessert** for a sweet course after a meal. *Chocolate dessert*

Question 58

# Choose the correct word: We need **farther/further** information on the topic.

Answer 58

further ## Footnote Use **farther** for physical distance. *Walk farther down the road.* Use **further** for figurative distance or degree. *Let's discuss this further.*

Question 59

# Choose the correct word: We need to **altar/alter** our schedule due to the delay.

Answer 59

alter ## Footnote Use **altar** for a raised structure for religious rites. *Church altar* Use **alter** to change. *Alter the dress.*

Question 60

# Choose the correct word: You should **ensure/insure** your valuables against loss.

Answer 60

insure ## Footnote Use **ensure** to make certain. *Ensure the door is locked.* Use **insure** to protect against risk via insurance. *Insure your car against theft.*