Writing with Commonly Confused Words

English is filled with troublesome words that can seem designed to trick you. Learn how to master the use of these words to write with more confidence and protect your credibility.

Introduction

• Confusing English words

1. Words that Sound the Same

• "A lot" or "alot"?
• "Affect" or "effect"?
• "Bated" or "baited"?
• "Capital" or "capitol"?
• "Cite," "sight," or "site"?
• "Complement" or "compliment"?
• "Council" or "counsel"?
• "Desert" or "dessert"?
• "Foreword" or "forward"?
• "Gray" or "grey"?
• "Home" or "hone"?
• "Lightening" or "lightning"?
• "Principal" or "principle"?
• "Stationary" or "stationery"?

2. Words with Commonly Misunderstood Meanings

• "A" or "an"?
• "Anxious" or "eager"?
• "Bad" or "badly"?
• "Because" or "due to"?
• "I.e." or "e.g."?
• "Fewer" or "less"?
• "Farther" or "further"?
• "Hanged" or "hung"?
• "Hilarious" or "hysterical"?
• "Lay" or "lie"?
• "Loose" or "lose"?
• "Simple" or "simplistic"?
• "That" or "which"?
• "Who" or "whom"?

Conclusion

• "Bid adieu" or "bid ado"?