Grammar & Usage

Commonly Confused (page 2)

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

The dictionary is always here to help

'Awhile' vs. 'A While'

There are rules, but who's listening?

On 'Biweekly' and 'Bimonthly'

Sorry, not sorry

Is it 'home in' or 'hone in'?

Both are used, but 'home in' does a better job of hitting the mark.

Is it 'Forty'? Or 'Fourty'?

This is usage

Homophones, Homographs, and Homonyms

The same, but different

How to Use 'Lay' and 'Lie'

Tripping Up English Speakers for 700 Years

Is it 'used to' or 'use to'?

You'll get used to it

The Difference between 'Race' and 'Ethnicity'

How they differ and overlap

‘Cannot’ vs. ‘Can Not’: Is there a difference?

You can learn all about them

Is It 'Day today' or 'Day-to-day'?

What about Day Tomorrow?

'Insure' vs. 'Ensure' vs. 'Assure'

Here's how to make sure

Rack vs. Wrack

Choosing which one to use can be nerve-racking

What’s the difference between a verb and a noun?

What's the difference between a pimple and a zit?

What's the difference between 'bigot' and 'racist'?

The word ‘bigot’ applies to all racists, but ‘racist’ does not apply to all bigots.

What's the difference between 'biannual' and 'semiannual'?

What’s the difference between ‘proletariat’ and ‘bourgeoisie’?

What’s the difference between ‘interpersonal’ and ‘intrapersonal’?

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Graveyards are sometimes smaller, but not always.

‘Satan’ and ‘Lucifer’: What the devil is the difference?

You may call the Devil either one, just don't call him late for dinner!

What is the difference between 'began' and 'begun'?

What is the difference between a masochist and a sadist?

What is the difference between a motel and a hotel?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

A case can be made for either

Common and Proper Nouns: What's the difference?

Learn which ones get capitals

Price vs. Cost: Yes, they’re different!

When to differentiate between these words

Whomever vs. Whoever: Choose the Right Word

To whom it may concern

Comparatives and Superlatives: What’s the difference?

Wisdom vs. Knowledge: What They Mean and When to Use Them

They're not always the same

Connotation vs. Denotation: Literally, what do you mean?

It's about meaning and nuance

Cue vs Queue: What is the Difference?

Here's a hint: one of them means 'hint'

Primary and Caucus: What is the difference?

What is the difference between a Democrat and a Republican?

Some distinctions between the parties

Broth or Stock: A Difference You Can Taste

You might find both in your soup

Disinfectant vs. Antiseptic: Does it matter what you use?

There is a difference

What's the difference between ravens and crows?

Here's how to tell these birds apart

Sex vs. Gender: How They’re Different

Delusion vs. Hallucination: An Explanation

Concurrent vs. Consecutive: What's the difference?

Some hints for keeping them in order

Economic or Economical: What’s the deal?

Sometimes there is an economical choice

Attain or Obtain: What's the difference?

Read this to attain/obtain understanding

'Fewer' and 'Less'

We all want fewer problems and less trouble with 'fewer' and 'less'

Led vs. Lead

Apart vs. A Part

Was it a 'raid' or a 'search'?

In Person vs. In-Person

A Podium Is the Same Thing as a Lectern

We'd say it from a podium if we had to

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

How to pick the right one

'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

One's clever, the other's like a child

'Bare' vs. 'Bear'

The difference bears repeating

Is it 'could' or 'couldn't care less'?

Can you care fewer?

'Supposably' vs. 'Supposedly'

Yes, they are both real words

Should you 'quit' or 'resign'?

How to say you're outta there

Do You 'hock' or 'hawk' a loogie?

A question for the ages

Is it one word or two?

27 words with commonly confused spacings

‘Metaphor’ vs. ‘Simile’

Shall we compare thee to a summer’s day?

'Lose' or 'Loose'?

Keep this somewhere you won't forget it

Until, till, 'til, or 'till?

'Till' is actually older than 'until'

Keeping Up with 'Passed' and 'Past'

Useful information for today

'Brought' vs. 'Brang' and 'Brung'

Consider it already ... broughten?

Is it 'doctor's appointment' or 'doctor appointment'?

The doctor is in, but whose appointment is it?

On Synecdoche and Metonymy

When you are left to your own rhetorical devices.

'Pique' vs. 'Peak' vs. 'Peek'

Have we piqued your interest?

‘Phase’ vs. ‘Faze’

Don't be fazed by these homophones.

Try Not to Slip on 'Peel' and 'Peal'

Eyes are peeled; the peals are of laughter

Is it 'on route' or 'en route'?

On your way to good spelling

Is it ‘traveling’ or ‘travelling’?

A tale of two variants

Should we say ‘elfs’ or ‘elves'?

A question surrounding a hard-working plural.

'Altho' vs. 'Although'

Altho doesn't get much love.

‘Disc’ and ‘Disk’: Is There a Difference?

Don’t toss a floppy like a Frisbee.

What's the difference between 'historic' and 'historical'?

And should you use 'a' or 'an' before each one?

'Capitol' or 'Capital'?

Explaining the difference

'Between' or 'Among': Which is correct?

Just between us: it's complicated.

'Principal' or 'Principle'?

Advice from your pals

'Everyday' vs. 'Every Day'

Everyday words, confused every single day

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

For example, the different ways to use them

Is it 'autumn' or 'fall'?

Why does this season have two different names?

'Prodigy' vs. 'Protégé'

Gifted or guided?

Do you 'wreak' havoc, or 'wreck' it?

Tidying up a chaotic situation

Is it 'further' or 'farther'?

Helping you navigate the road ahead

'Allusion' vs. 'Illusion'

Let there be no delusion

Is It 'Pray' or 'Prey'?

Same sound, very different meaning

'Inexplicable' vs. 'Unexplainable'

Accentuate the negative

The Difference between 'Devise' and 'Device'

Read this on your phone.

'Everyday' vs. 'Every Day'

A simple trick to keep them separate

The Disparity Between 'Desperate' and 'Disparate'

Don't despair, we'll tell you the difference.

An Impartial View of 'Fair' and 'Fare'

Your ticket to sorting them out

'Systematic' or 'Systemic'?

Methodically explaining a pervasive question

'Coworker' and 'Colleague': Shared Labor

Working, together

Do You 'Pore Over' Something or 'Pour Over' It?

Read thoroughly and let it soak in.

'Photo Shoot' or 'Photoshoot'?

Taking a usage snapshot

The Ups and Downs of 'Raise' and 'Raze'

Are you building something up or tearing it down?

‘Ax’ vs. ‘Axe’: Which is correct?

Spelling out the difference

'Petal' vs. 'Pedal' vs. 'Peddle'

Speaking of flowers and bicycles and wares.

An Analysis of 'Delve' vs. 'Dig' vs. 'Dive'

It's dirty work, but we took the plunge.

'Unsatisfied' or 'dissatisfied'?

What's the difference?

'If' vs. 'Whether': Similar But Different

Two words of uncertainty

On 'Born' and 'Borne'

One vowel can mean a big difference

'Favorite' vs. 'Favourite'

Depends where you're from

A Spiel on 'Sale' and 'Sell'

Act now for 100% savings

On 'Moral' and 'Morale'

The difference between what is right and what feels good.

'Brake' or 'Break'?

Take a timeout for a usage article

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Your one-stop clarification shop

'Access' and 'Excess'

Providing access to an excess of info.

'Cite' vs. 'Site' vs. 'Sight'

Spotting the differences

On 'Eminent' and 'Imminent' (and 'Immanent')

The difference will be clear in a moment

'Role' or 'roll'?

Knowing the difference
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