30+ Commonly Confused Words

The English language is one of the most used in the world, but it is also said to be one of the most confusing to learn and use. Being online, I’ve seen thousands of incorrect uses of their, they’re, and there. While none of us can claim to be perfect at writing, we can at leas try to learn and grow as writers.

Below you’ll find some great examples of words commonly confused and how to properly use them.

Please consider adding any additional words you’ve seen misused by leaving a comment.

Accept – Consent to receive. He accepted a pen as a present.
Except – Not including. They blog every day except Monday.

Ad – Short for advertisement. They placed an advertisement for their services.
Add – To join. She was told to add the two items together.

Adapt – To adjust.
Adept – Proficient.
Adopt – To choose.

Adverse – Preventing success or development. The weather conditions are adverse.
Averse – Having a strong dislike or opposition to something. As a former CIA director, he is not averse to secrecy.

Affect – A verb meaning to change, assume, or influence. The dampness began to affect my health.
Effect – A noun meaning impression or result. Politicians really do have some effect on the lives of ordinary people.

Altogether – Entirely. Altogether, we believed he had the story correct.
All together – All in one place or in a group. They arrived all together.

Desert – A dry, sandy place. They went to the desert on vacation.
Dessert – The sweet stuff you eat after a meal. She ate the desert.

Device – A gadget. They created a device to get out of the situation.
Devise – To plan. They devised a plan to build a better blog.

Apart- To be separated. Their plan fell apart before they were able to carry it out.
A part – To be joined with. A part of their plan didn’t work out due to someone not being present.

Breath – Air inhaled or exhaled. He could see his breath in the cold air.
Breathe – To inhale or exhale. If you don’t breathe, you will die.
Breadth – Width. A breadth of cloth.

Both – Two things considered together. Both owners must fill out the form in order to confirm the purchase.
Each – Individual members of a group considered separately. Each person must fill out a separate form.

Capital – A seat of government or financial resources. The company had enough capital to purchase a competing company.
Capitol – The actual building in which the legislative body meets. The people marched on Georgia’s state capitol.

Cite – To quote or document. Doctors have been cited as a key example of a modern breed of technical expert.
Sight – The faculty or power of seeing. She lost her sight as a baby.
Site – Position or place. The materials are always on site.

Complement – Something that completes, to complete. At the moment we have a full complement of staff.
Compliment – To praise. She left me several compliments for my time and work.

Elicit – To draw or bring out. They invariably elicit exclamations of approval from guests.
Illicit – Illegal. They were found using illicit drugs.

Good – An adjective meaning to be desired or approved of. We live at peace with each other, which is good.
Well – An adverb meaning in a good or satisfactory way. The whole team played well.

i.e. – Short for the Latin “id est,” meaning “it is” or “that is.” Use it when you say “that is.”
e.g. – Short for the Latin “exempli gratia,” meaning “free example.” Use it when you would say “for example.”

Its – Of or belonging to it. He chose the house for its neighborhood.
It’s – Contraction for it is. It’s all my fault.

Lie – To lie down. I had to lie down for two hours because I felt sick.
Lay – To lay an object down. She laid the baby in his crib.

Lose – To misplace or not win. If you lose your new toy, I will not be replacing it.
Loose – To not be tight or to release. He was never set loose from jail because no one posted his bail.

Passed – To pass, to have moved. The cars quickly passed us.
Past -  Belonging to a former time or place. They made a study of the reasons why past attempts had failed.

Piece – A portion or fragment of something. The dog ate a piece of the food.
Peace – Freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility. You can while away an hour or two in peace and seclusion.
Peas – Small, green vegetables. She ate her peas.

Stationary – Standing still. A car collided with a stationary vehicle.
Stationery – Writing paper. She told me to pick up some stationery for her crafts.

Than – Use with comparisons. He doesn’t know any more than I do.
Then – At that time, or next. I was living in Cairo then.

Their – Possessive adjective, belonging to or associated with the people or things previously mentioned. She heard someone blow their nose loudly.
There – At, in, or to that place or position. We went on to Paris and stayed there eleven days.
They’re – Contraction of they are. They’re parking the car.

Through – Moving in one side and out of the other side. He stepped boldly through the doorway.
Thorough – Complete with regard to every detail. He wanted to thoroughly understand the topics.
Though – However, nevertheless. Though they were speaking in undertones, he could still hear them.
Thru – Informal spelling for through.

Titled – The title of a name of a book, play, etc. Please read page two in the section titled “How to Use WordPress.”
Entitled – The right or a claim to something. She felt entitled to the entire estate.

To – Toward. I went to the park on Sunday.
Too – Also, or excessively. He drove too fast and was unable to maintain control.
Two – The number. Only two people attended the party on Saturday.

Shear – Cut the wool off a sheep or animal. I’ll shear off all that fleece.
Sheer – Nothing other than, unmitigated. She giggled with sheer delight.

Whose – The possessive form of who. Whose blog is that?
Who’s – The contraction of who and is. Who’s on first base?

Your – Possessive meaning “belonging to you.” What was your name?
You’re – A contraction of “you are.” You’re an angel!