Confusing Words

Students choices

Allusion/Illusion
allusion
Indirect reference, implied

illusion
Deception of the eyes

A mirage is an ____.
The novel creates an ____ to the creation
story in the Bible.

Loathe/Loath
loathe
Dislike greatly

loath
Unwilling or reluctant

What food do you ____?

All of you are ___ to write another essay in
this class.

Eminent/Imminent
Eminent
Person who is distinguished or when government
takes over private property for public use
(eminent domain)

imminent
Somethings going to happen, usually bad

Shakespeare is an ____ writer.

Some scientists believe the demise of the
planet is ____.

Disinterested/Uninterested
disinterested
Not taking sides, impartial...person with no
personal benefit at stake

uninterested
Not interested

The lawyers struggled to find twelve ___

people for the jury.
I am quickly becoming ___ in your ideas.

Imbalanced/Unbalanced
These are synonyms
Use imbalanced when discussing a rule, law,
or procedure
Use unbalanced when talking about an object
The cars tires are ___.
Female pay is still ____ in corporate America.

Principle/Principal
Principle (only a noun)
Natural, moral, legal rule or standard

Principal (noun or adjective)

Finance or person in charge

The ___ sum of money...

The ___ runs the school.
It is against my ____.

Peak/Peek/Pique
Peak
Topmost point

Peek
Take a quick look

Pique
To upset or excite someone

We are at ___ demand right now

You all had a ___ at the final already.
If that doesnt ___ your interest, you are boring.

Adverse/Averse
Adverse
hostile

Averse
Unwilling

You are responsible for the ___ events in your

life.
I am ___ to camping.

Sew/Sow
Sew
Stitching, complete successfully (sew up)

Sow
To scatter seed for growing, implant

You reap what you ___.

I always have to ___ my dance costumes.

Everyday/Every Day
Everyday
Adjective to describe average, mundane

Every day
Each day

I wear my ___ shoes to work ____.

Assure/Ensure/Insure
www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/gram
mar/assure-versus-ensure-versus-insure

Farther/Further
farther
Physical distance

further
Metaphorical distance

How much ____?

If you complain ____, Im going to give you
something to complain about.

Apprise/Appraise
apprise
To inform

appraise
To assess

Ladies, always take your jewelry to get ____.

Ladies, please ___ guys about the importance
of diamonds

Wreath VS. Wreathe

www.grammarist.com/spelling/wreathwreathe/

Desert/Dessert
I dare you to eat a desert for dessert.

Ascent/assent
assent
Agreement or acceptance (opposite is dissent)

ascent
To go up (opposite is descent)

The climber ___ to the peak of Everest.

After reading the plan, the president ____
cheerfully.

Immoral/Amoral
www.vocabulary.com/articles/chooseyourwords
/amoral-immoral/

Your vs. Youre

your
Belonging to

Youre
Contraction you are

The sight is enough to break ____ heart.

____ going to fail if you dont get this straight.

Whose vs. whos

whose
Belonging to

Whos
Contraction who is

____ ready for this semester to end?

Shes a teacher ___ opinion I respect.

Cannot VS. Can not

Interchangeable
Most commonly used is cannot (one word)
Use two words for emphasis
No! You can not wash the dog in the dishwasher.
No! You cannot wash the dog in the dishwasher.

Same thing...its not a good idea...

Their/There/Theyre
Theyre
Contraction they are

Their
Belonging to

there
A place

____ going back ____ to get ____ shoes.

A/an
A
Use in front of a word beginning with a consonant

An
Use in front of a word beginning with a vowel

She wants ___ alligator.

He would prefer ___ giraffe.

Awhile/ a while
www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/gramma
r/while-versus-awhile