Commonly Confused Words in English: Pairs, Examples and Quiz

to change or influence something or someone

Lack of sleep can affect your memory.

the result or change that something causes

The new law had a big effect on prices.

to stop having something, or to not win

Be careful not to lose your passport.

not tight, or not firmly fixed

This shirt is a bit loose around the neck.

with little or no noise

Please be quiet. The baby is sleeping.

fairly; more than a little but not very

The exam was quite difficult.

a large, dry area of land with very little rain

Very few plants grow in the desert.

sweet food that you eat at the end of a meal

We had chocolate cake for dessert.

to say yes to something that someone offers you

She accepted the job offer straight away.

to think that something will probably happen

I expect the train will be late again.

something nice that you say about a person

He paid me a compliment on my cooking.

to go well with something and make it look or taste better

The fresh herbs complement the fish perfectly.

not moving

The bus was stationary when the car hit it.

paper, envelopes, pens and other things for writing

The office orders new stationery every month.

a basic rule or belief about what is right

It's against my principles to lie to friends.

the person in charge of a school (mainly American English)

The principal called my parents about the problem.

to take something from someone and give it back later

Can I borrow your charger for an hour?

to give something to someone for a short time

Could you lend me your charger for an hour?

to carry something or come with someone to the place where you are, or where the listener is

Bring a jacket when you come to my place.

to carry something or go with someone to another place

Take these books back to the library, please.

to keep something in your mind or bring it back to your mind

I remember my first day at school very clearly.

to make someone remember something

Remind me to call the dentist tomorrow.

to take money or things from a person or a place by force or illegally

Two men robbed a bank downtown.

to take something that belongs to someone else

Someone stole my bike from outside the gym.

to go up or increase, with no object

House prices rose again last year.

to lift something or make it go up, with an object

Raise your hand if you have a question.

to be in a flat position on a bed or floor (past: lay, lain)

I usually lie on the sofa after work.

to put something down carefully in a flat position (past: laid)

She laid the map on the table.

to notice sounds with your ears, without trying

Did you hear that strange noise?

to pay attention to sounds on purpose

Listen carefully to the instructions.

to get money for the work you do

She earns more than her brother.

to be the best in a game or competition, or to get a prize

Our team won the final.

connected with the economy of a country or area

The government has a new economic plan.

using little money, fuel or energy

A small car is more economical to run.

practical and showing good judgment

It was sensible to leave early because of the traffic.

easily upset, or reacting strongly to something

He's very sensitive about his height.

very important in history

It was a historic moment for the country.

about or from the past

She loves reading historical novels.

very good and popular for a long time, or a very typical example

This is a classic mistake for new drivers.

traditional and serious, especially about music

He listens to classical music while he studies.

without other people

She likes living alone.

sad because you are alone or have no friends

He felt lonely in his first month abroad.

making you laugh; also strange

Her brother tells really funny stories.

enjoyable; giving you a good time

The party was really fun.

an opinion about what someone should do (uncountable)

My teacher gave me some good advice.

to tell someone what you think they should do

The doctor advised me to rest for a week.

doing something again and again to get better at it

Speaking needs a lot of practice.

the regular work you are paid for (countable)

She has a new job at a hospital.

the things you do to earn money, or effort in general (uncountable)

I have a lot of work this week.

a visit to a place and back again, often short

We took a day trip to the coast.

the general activity of going to other places (uncountable)

Travel is one of my favorite hobbies.

the act of going from one place to another, often a long way

The journey from the airport took two hours.

knowledge you get by doing things, or an event that happens to you

She has five years of experience in sales.

a scientific test to find out something

We did an experiment with water and salt in class.