Notorious Confusables Flashcards

Question

A While vs. Awhile Tip?

Answer 1

"Awhile" is an adverb that means "for a while." It is typically used to modify a verb, e.g., I'm going to sit and read awhile. "A while" is a noun meaning "a period of time." It is typically used after a preposition, e.g., I'm going to read for a while longer.) TIP: Always use two words when the phrase follows a preposition (e.g., for).

Answer 2

"Backward" can be either an adverb or an adjective; "backwards" can be only an adverb, e.g., The economy seemed to slide backwards thanks to the backward government policies. Both Chicago Manual and AP Style drop the “s” in all cases. (“backward,” “forward,” “upward,” “downward,” and “toward”)

Answer 3

These words have shared meaning. Basis: the fundamental material on which something is founded, or the logic of or justification for an idea; a fundamental principle; or a basic unit. “Bases” is the plural form of “basis.” E.g., the basis of a theory vs. the bases of these theories. It is also the plural of "base." E.g., All four bases were attacked at once. E.g., Logs were used as bed rests and table bases. Phrase Usage: On the basis of; Scientific basis; on a regular basis

Answer 4

Bare: naked/empty/stark/to expose/to confess Bear: to hold in mind, to produce,to exhibit, e.g., bear a likeness to/ to tolerate/to carry/(animal)/ to take on

Answer 5

“Biannual” and “semiannual” both mean “twice a year.” “Biennial” means “once every two years” or “every other year.” E.g., The state legislature meets biennially. Tip: Chicago Manual recommends using “semiannual” instead of “biannual.” AP has no preference.

Answer 6

Bizarre: weird Bazaar: market

Answer 7

Bored: uninterested, past tense: bore Board: (wood) or advisory council

Answer 8

Bore: supported/carried/assumed/tolerated/tire of/an insult/tunneled Boar: a male pig

Answer 9

Border: an edge or boundary Boarder: a lodger

Answer 10

Brake: a constraint/ to decelerate, to try to stop, e.g., hit the brakes Break: to stop/to pause/a rest, to destroy/to fail/a fracture/ to decipher/an opportunity

Answer 11

Breech: backside or rear Breach: a break/rift, e.g., breach of ethics

Answer 12

Breath: noun Breathe: verb

Answer 13

Bridal: (weddings) Bridle: (horse paraphernalia)

Answer 14

Broach: to bring up Brooch: a decorative pin

Answer 15

Callous: cold/heartless Callus: hard skin

Answer 16

Calvary: the place of Crucifixion Cavalry: horse-mounted troops

Answer 17

Cannon: heavy gun(s) Canon: a set of rules or laws

Answer 18

Use “cannot” in formal writing. EXCEPTIONS: “can not only but also” phrases, and cases where the subject has the option to not do something. E.g., You can go to the store, or you can not go to the store. Your choice.

Answer 19

Canvas: (material) Canvass: to campaign

Answer 20

Capital: (state capital, money, most serious or important, uppercase) Capitol: (building)

Answer 21

Carat: diamond size Carrot: (vegetable) Caret: (typeface ^)

Answer 22

Censured: scolded/criticized Censored: cut/edited/banned

Answer 23

Censor: to cut out or edit info, a person who cuts out or edits info Censer: a dish for holding incense Sensor: a detection device

Answer 24

Chord: (musical) Cord: a thick string

Answer 25

Click: noise or action Clique: a group

Answer 26

Climactic: (climactic moment) Climatic: associated with climate

Answer 27

Clothes: (shirt, dress, etc.) Cloths: material or rags

Answer 28

Coarse: rough Course: route/program/direction

Answer 29

Complimented: gave a compliment Complemented: matched

Answer 30

Compose: to create, to make up a whole Comprise: to be made up of, contain, or include E.g., Dogs and cats compose the shelter, which is comprised of these popular pets.

Answer 31

Conceded: gave up Conceited: vain

Answer 32

Concurrent: at the same time Consecutive: one after another

Answer 33

Confident: feeling good about oneself or one’s abilities, certainty Confidant(e): a person you trust or tell secrets to Style Tip: AP drops the “e,” Chicago does not require it and only uses it if the person is female.

Answer 34

Conscious: aware Conscience: internal morality

Answer 35

Contemptible: worthy of contempt Contemptuous: someone or something that is full of contempt

Answer 36

Continual: starting and stopping Continuous: never-ending

Answer 37

Convince: to cause someone to believe something Persuade: to cause someone to act E.g., My mother will convince him that she is right. She will persuade him to keep working.

Answer 38

Correlation: a relationship or connection – but not a cause-and-effect relationship Corollary: a consequence, a cause-and-effect relationship

Answer 39

Counsel: advice/to advise Council: Advisory board

Answer 40

Creditable: admirable Credible: believable Credulous: gullible

Answer 41

Criterion: (single) Criteria: (plural)

Answer 42

Definitely: unmistakable, without doubt Definitively: official and conclusive, e.g., I definitely want to go to the party, but my mother gave the idea a definitive no.

Answer 43

Demure: modest/prim Demur: to object

Answer 44

Denotes: to define exactly Connotes: to imply a meaning E.g., The word "guts" denote one's viscera and one's intestines, but it also connotes determination, fortitude, persistence, and courage.

Answer 45

Desert: a dry, arid climate Dessert: a sweet treat

Answer 46

Didactic: an attempt to teach a lesson, especially a moral lesson Pedantic: an attempt to show off disguised as teaching.

Answer 47

Die: (death) Dye: to color

Answer 48

Disassemble: to take apart Dissemble: to put on a false appearance, to conceal feelings or facts

Answer 49

Disconcerting: disturbing, upsetting Disconcerning: not a word!!! Discerning: having or showing good taste or judgment

Answer 50

Discomfited: disturbed/uncomfortable/embarrassed Discomfort: uneasiness/pain

Answer 51

Discreet: secret Discrete: separate

Answer 52

Disillusion: to rid someone of an illusion, or to have had an illusion dashed. Dissolution: a breaking apart, e.g., the dissolution of marriage

Answer 53

Disperse: to scatter Disburse: to pay

Answer 54

Dissent: objection Descent: slope/drop/pedigree Decent: reasonable/right

Answer 55

Elicit: to provoke or extract Illicit: illegal

Answer 56

Elusive: difficult to capture or understand Illusive: something that is not real, even if it seems to be

Answer 57

Eminent: prominent/important Imminent: immediate Immanent: inherent, omnipresent, knowable, perceivable or graspable

Answer 58

Enormousness: grandness/greatness/vastness Enormity: atrociousness, monstrousness, usually has a negative connotation Style Tip: Enormity is also used to refer to size, but this use is discouraged in formal writing and not acceptable under AP or Chicago style.

Answer 59

Entitle: to give someone a rank or right, SOMETIMES used to describe the name of a composition Title: the name of a composition, to name a composition) Style Tip: AP never uses “entitled” to describe the name of a composition. Chicago Manual allows it but cautions against its overuse.

Answer 60

Endemic: found in a certain geographic region or in a specific race of people Epidemic: a disease that is widespread Pandemic: a global epidemic

Answer 61

Ensure: to make sure Insure: to protect against Assure: to remove doubt, or confidently tell someone about something

Answer 62

Epigram: a witticism Epigraph: something written above text or a doorway Epitaph: a tombstone inscription

Answer 63

Use “especially” when you mean “very,” “extremely,” or “particularly.” E.g., The food was not especially good. E.g., She hated vegetables, especially peas. Use “specially” when you mean “in a special manner. E.g., I don’t want to be treated specially. Both especially and specially are acceptable when you are referring to a special person or reason. E.g., The speech was written especially/specially for the occasion. E.g., The sweater was made especially/specially for her.

Answer 64

Everyday: (adjective) Every day: (adverb) E.g., We use our everyday dishes every day.

Answer 65

Exorcise: to cast out evil Exercise: physical activity

Answer 66

Exulted: rejoiced Exalted: high/promoted/praised, e.g., exalted one

Answer 67

Expedient: convenient Expeditious: speedy

Answer 68

Explicit: clear/precise Implicit: understood/implied

Answer 69

Extemporaneous: prepared but delivered without notes Impromptu: completely unprepared

Answer 70

Extent: degree/size Extant: existing/present, e.g., The original manuscript is no longer extant.

Answer 71

Facetious: joking Factious: characterized by dissent and internal disputes. Likely to break apart into factions. Fractious: irritable, quarrelsome, ill-tempered. Fatuous: silly, foolish

Answer 72

Faint: light, weak, to pass out Feint: a fake-out, a trick

Answer 73

Farther: Physical distance Further: To a greater extent, an extension of time or degree. TIP: Beware of phrases that could technically be both; rewrite to avoid confusion. e.g., Common Mistake: Nothing could be further (not farther) from the truth. (Figurative distance.)

Answer 74

Faze: to disturb, bother, or embarrass Phase: a step or stage

Answer 75

Ferment: to cause a chemical change to food or drink, to stir up excitement Foment: to stir up trouble, always has a negative connotation

Answer 76

Fewer: refers to things that are counted Less: refers to a quantity of things that are measured E.g., "fewer choices” and “fewer problems" vs. "less time" and "less effort." (Fewer dollars and less money)

Answer 77

Fictional: an invented reality Fictitious: made up in an attempt to trick others, e.g., a fictitious identity Fictive: a specific thing created by the imagination, e.g., a fictive audience made up of teddy bears

Answer 78

Flout: to disobey, scoff at, e.g., flout the law Flaunt: to show off

Answer 79

Flu: (virus) Flue: (vent)

Answer 80

Flounder: to struggle/stagger/hesitate Founder: a creator/ to sink or completely fail.

Answer 81

Formerly: before Formally: formal

Answer 82

Gambit: a strategic move where one sacrifices something up front for future gain Gamut: a range from one extreme to the other

Answer 83

Gibe: jeer/joke/tease Jibe: to be in agreement Jive: jazz reference, loose talk

Answer 84

Grisly: gruesome Grizzly: grey-haired/(bear)

Answer 85

Guerilla: (soldier. warfare) Gorillas: (jungle)

Answer 86

Hale: sturdy and healthy Hail: icy precipitation, to call attention to, to greet enthusiastically, to hail from

Answer 87

Hanged: by the neck Hung: on the wall

Answer 88

Hangers: (clothes) Hangars: (planes)

Answer 89

Hardy: daring, courageous, and capable of surviving difficult conditions, e.g., a hardy species. Hearty: showing warm and heartfelt affection or providing abundant nourishment, e.g., a hearty greeting, a hearty soup.

Answer 90

Heal: to cure/mend/recover Heel: (foot)/an insult/to re-sole a shoe

Answer 91

Heroine: female hero Heroin: (drug)

Answer 92

Historic: having great importance to human history, e.g., a historic achievement Historical: describes something that is from or happened in the past, e.g., historical records.

Answer 93

Homophone: a word that sounds the same as another word but has a different meaning and sometimes spelling. E.g., to/too/two. Homograph: a word that has the same spelling as another word but has a different sound and a different meaning, e.g., “lead” (leader) and “lead” (metal). Homonym: a word that is both a homophone and a homograph, or, in more casual use, can be used as a synonym for either.

Answer 94

Hordes: (of people) Hoard: (money, supplies)

Answer 95

“i.e.” is a shortening of the Latin expression id est, or “that is.” It is used to introduce a rephrasing or elaboration of something. Think of it as meaning “in essence.” “e.g.,” is an abbreviation of the Latin expression exempli gratia, meaning “for example.” Think of it as meaning “example given.”

Answer 96

Immigrate: to arrive in a new country Emigrate: to leave a country Migrate: to move from one place to another

Answer 97

Incidence: frequency, e.g., incidence of theft Incidents: events/confrontations, e.g., a violent incident

Answer 98

Incipient: embryonic/emerging Insipid: dull/bland

Answer 99

Incite: provoke Insight: vision/awareness/perception

Answer 100

Incredible: astonishing/unbelievable Incredulous: skeptical

Answer 101

Indeterminable: impossible to determine Indeterminate: undecided, vague

Answer 102

Indite: to compose, e.g., indite a letter Indict: to accuse/charge with a crime

Answer 103

Inflammable/Flammable mean the same thing: apt to ignite Nonflammable: won’t ignite Style Tip: Both Chicago Manual and AP prefer “Flammable.”

Answer 104

Ingenuous: innocent/frank Ingenue: an innocent young woman Ingenious: clever

Answer 105

Insidious: sinister Invidious: unpleasant/unenviable

Answer 106

Invoke is active and direct, and it can have a material effect; Evoke is passive and indirect, and it usually has an emotional or intellectual effect. E.g., If we would like to invoke the spirit of Mozart, then we might literally summon his spirit into being or at least mention his name to make people understand our meaning. If we would like to evoke the spirit of Mozart, we would need to create or play music that reminds people of Mozart and his style.

Answer 107

Irony: a gap between reality and expectations, often created for dramatic or humorous effect. Satire: Making fun of people by imitating their stupidity or flaws. Sarcasm: insincere speech

Answer 108

Just Deserts: An old-world expression that uses an older noun version of "desert" meaning "deserved reward or punishment.”

Answer 109

Led: past tense: directed/guided Lead: primary /a clue/the frontrunner/a leash/to direct/to guide/metal

Answer 110

Liable: accountable for/prone to Libel: to defame

Answer 111

Lightning: (storm) Lightening: (of a load)

Answer 112

Loath: disinclined Loathe: to hate

Answer 113

Lose: to misplace Loose: unattached

Answer 114

Luxuriant: lush, abundant, rich Luxurious: comfortable E.g., A luxuriant tropical garden was planted on the grounds of the most luxurious hotel in town.

Answer 115

Mantle: a coat, cape, or covering, a layer of the Earth’s interior, a figurative reference to power or authority, e.g., picking up the mantle. Mantel: ledge over a fireplace

Answer 116

Martial: (arts) Marital: (bed)

Answer 117

Medal: an award Meddle: to interfere

Answer 118

Metal: (steel) Mettle: courage

Answer 119

Moral: a lesson Morale: spirits, e.g., military

Answer 120

Morbid: dark Moribund: dying/ineffective

Answer 121

Naval: (officer) Navel: (bellybutton)

Answer 122

Nauseated: to feel sick, e.g., I feel nauseated Nauseous: causes others to feel sick, e.g., a nauseous gas

Answer 123

Oral: Related to the mouth Aural: related to the ear

Answer 124

Pale: light/pallid/faint/diminish/blanch/fade/pale in comparison Pail (bucket)

Answer 125

Palette: (painting) Palate: (mouth) Pallet: a bed or carrying device

Answer 126

Parameter: a limit, factor, property, or characteristic of something Perimeter: the border of an enclosed space

Answer 127

Parody: a spoof Parity: equality

Answer 128

Patience: ability to wait Patients: sick or injured people

Answer 129

Peak: (mountain) Peek: (peek-a-boo) Pique: temper/ to irritate/ to interest

Answer 130

Peddle: to sell Pedal: (bike)

Answer 131

Persecute: to make someone suffer or to keep them in bad circumstances Prosecute: to participate in or pursue something to completion, a legal term

Answer 132

Pitiless: cruel, lacking compassion Pitiable: deserving of pity, scornfully small or poor – often said with compassion, e.g., a pitiable shack. Pitiful: deserving of pity, scornfully small or poor – often said in contempt, e.g., what a pitiful spread Piteous: deserving of pity, for archaic or poetic use

Answer 133

Pole: (flag pole), (North Pole), to push with a pole Poll: election/survey

Answer 134

Poring/Pore: focusing/studying Pouring /Pour: (coffee)

Answer 135

Practical: sensible Practicable: possible

Answer 136

Pray: (to God) Prey: (hunting)

Answer 137

Same meaning: mostly/mainly Style Tip: AP and Chicago Manual prefer “Predominantly.”

Answer 138

Predominate: VERB, to prevail, to have greater importance or quantity Predominant: ADJ. most common, greatest importance or influence

Answer 139

Precede: to come before Proceed: to continue or move forward

Answer 140

Pretentious: fake, conceited, showy Portentous: a bad omen, can also mean someone who is trying to appear important – overlapping with pretentious

Answer 141

Principal: primary/chief Principle: rule/value

Answer 142

Pragmatic: practical Dogmatic: characterized by or given to the expression of opinions as if they were facts

Answer 143

Precedents: Incidents that occurred previously and may now be used as a guide or example, e.g., court precedents. Precedence: Having priority

Answer 144

Premier: best/national leader Premiere: performance, film

Answer 145

Prescribe: to recommend Proscribe: to forbid

Answer 146

Proceed: begin or continue Precede: to come before

Answer 147

Prophesy: (verb) Prophecy: (noun ) E.g., Prophets can prophesy a prophecy. Common Mistake: The word “prophesized” does not exist. The correct word is “prophesied.”

Answer 148

Prostate: male gland Prostrate: to lie down

Answer 149

Quote: verb, to transcribe what someone said or wrote, crediting that person Quotation: noun, the exact words of someone else Tip: “Quote” is sometimes used as shorthand for “quotation,” but not in formal writing.

Answer 150

Racquet: (tennis) Racket: noise/scam

Answer 151

Raise: to lift up Rear: (children)

Answer 152

Raise: to lift up Raze: to destroy

Answer 153

Related words: Raise: transitive verb (must have a direct object) Rise: intransitive verb (no direct object needed) E.g., Something raises something. Something rises.

Answer 154

Rebut: to try to prove something isn't true Refute: to actually prove it isn't

Answer 155

Regard: related, in regard to Regards: a salutation

Answer 156

Regrettably: unfortunate, unlucky – sad, but not your fault, e.g., regrettably, it rained on the big day. Regretfully: filling you with regret – sad, but intentional, e.g., I must regretfully decline your invitation.

Answer 157

Reign: to rule Rein: to control, horse paraphernalia

Answer 158

Reticent: reserved, discreet, restrained Reluctant: unwilling/hesitant

Answer 159

Right: correct, direction, entitlement Write: to compose Rite: religious act

Answer 160

Role: a part or position Roll: (bread, roll call, ball)

Answer 161

Sac: (biological), e.g., egg sac Sack: (bag)

Answer 162

Scald: to burn Scold: to criticize

Answer 163

Scrimp: to be thrifty; to save slowly and with difficulty, e.g., she scrimped all month to buy tickets Skimp: to give or use barely enough, e.g., To keep the cost of her salads down, she skimped on tomatoes.

Answer 164

Sensuous: luxurious Sensual: sexual

Answer 165

Sheer: pure/translucent/steep/plain) Shear: fleece/shave/(wind shear)

Answer 166

Site: website/location Sight: eyesight, something viewed Cite: reference

Answer 167

Slight: little and light, a snub or insult Sleight: slyness, sneakiness, e.g., a sleight of hand

Answer 168

Stationery: paper Stationary: still

Answer 169

Statute: law Stature: build/importance Statue: sculpture

Answer 170

Taut: tight Taught: teach

Answer 171

Than: compares Then: next

Answer 172

Use “that” for essential clauses, important to the meaning of a sentence, and without commas, e.g., I remember the day that we met. Use “which” for nonessential clauses, where the clause is less necessary, and use commas, e.g., The team, which finished last a year ago, is in first place. TIP: If you can drop the clause and not lose the meaning of the sentence, use “which;” otherwise, use “that.” A “which” clause is surrounded by commas; no commas are used with “that” clauses.)

Answer 173

Threw: tossed Through: (the window) Thorough: careful and complete

Answer 174

Torturous: agonizing Tortuous: twisting/devious

Answer 175

Toward: preferred spelling in the United States and Canada Towards: preferred spelling in the UK Style Tip: AP and Chicago only accept “toward.”

Answer 176

Troop: a group of soldiers Troupe: a group of performers

Answer 177

Trooper: cop Trouper: playactor E.g., The Trooper was a real Trouper.

Answer 178

Turgid: pompous/pretentious/dull Turbid: muddy/confused Torpid: idle, lazy, and sleepy

Answer 179

Unconscionable: unthinkable Unconscious: unaware

Answer 180

Undo: to unfasten, reverse progress, to upset another person or cause them to fail Undue: extreme, excessive, e.g., undue force

Answer 181

Unexceptionable: beyond reproach Unexceptional: nondescript/typical

Answer 182

Uninterested: not interested Disinterested: unbiased Point of Interest: Both words are technically acceptable terms for “not interested,” but in modern usage, disinterested is most often used to denote a lack of bias. Style Tip: Both AP and Chicago Manual reserve the word “disinterested” as a synonym for “unbiased” only.

Answer 183

Vain: futile/hollow/conceited Vane: (weather vane) Vein: (blood)

Answer 184

Venal: corruptible/corrupt, e.g., That judge is known for being venal and easily bought Venial: forgivable/minor, e.g., venial sin

Answer 185

Voracious: hungry Veracious: truthful

Answer 186

Waist: (belly) Waste: to squander/trash

Answer 187

Waver: to be indecisive, falter, or hesitate Waiver: a permissive form relinquishing certain rights.

Answer 188

Weather: outside conditions Whether: (or not) Wether: a castrated sheep

Answer 189

Wreak: to inflict, e.g., wreak havoc Reek: strong unpleasant odor Wreck: to destroy, or something that has been destroyed, e.g shipwreck

Answer 190

Wringing: squeezing, drenched, e.g., wringing wet Ringing: noise, encircling, calling

Answer 191

Yolk: (egg) Yoke: a harness

Answer 192

Ingenuine: Not genuine; not used formally Disingenuous: insincere, not genuine

Answer 193

Duel: fight Dual: double

Answer 194

Past: refers to time Last: refers to order E.g., His income soared the past three years—not “last.” vs. I loved his last book!

Answer 195

Ability: a physical or mental skill or the power to achieve something. Capability: refers more generally to power or ability, or being able to use or be used in a certain way,e.g., long-range capability. Capacity: ability to hold or contain something

Answer 196

When possible, use “about” instead of “approximately.” TIP: Avoid coupling with other words of approximation, such as “guess” or “estimate.” EXCEPTION: “Approximately” is preferred in scientific reference.

Answer 197

Accord: agreement Accordance: conformity, e.g., “in accordance with”

Answer 198

One is physically addicted to something but psychologically dependent on something.

Answer 199

Adduce: to give as a reason, to offer as proof, or as an example, e.g., as evidence of reliability, she adduced her four years of steady volunteer work as a nurse’s aide Deduce: to draw a specific conclusion from general principles Induce: to form a general principle based on specific observations, e.g., After years of studying ravens, the researchers induced a few of their social habits

Answer 200

Adequate: the suitability of something in a particular circumstance, e.g. an adequate excuse Sufficient: enough to meet a need, used specifically with mass nouns, plurals, and abstract concepts, e.g., sufficient information)

Answer 201

Adherence: figurative, to “stick” to a rule Adhesion: to literally stick to something. E.g., Your adherence to the transportation code requires the adhesion of an inspection sticker to your windshield

Answer 202

Admission: figurative, to be granted the rights and privileges of entry Admittance: physical entry, e.g., no admittance beyond this point

Answer 203

Already: refers to time, e.g., it’s bedtime already) All Ready: refers to preparedness (E.g.,is everyone prepared?)

Answer 204

Amend: to change or add to, e.g., the city amended its charter Emend: to correct text, e.g., he emended several typos)

Answer 205

Use “amount” for things that cannot be counted and “number” for things that can be counted.

Answer 206

Assault: a threat that causes someone to reasonably fear physical violence Battery: violent and intentional physical contact with another person.

Answer 207

Assemblage: an informal collection of people or things Assembly: a group of people organized for a purpose.

Answer 208

Auger: a tool for boring Augur: a seer, to foretell

Answer 209

Avenge/Vengeance: to punish/punishment for a specific wrong Revenge: the infliction of harm on another out of anger or resentment

Answer 210

Avocation: hobby Vocation: profession

Answer 211

Bacteria: plural Bacterium: singular

Answer 212

Bale: a bundle, to bundle, e.g., a bale of hay Bail: to scoop out water, to leave quickly or escape, to post security, e.g., to post bail.

Answer 213

Benevolence: the attribute of being disposed to doing good, applies most often to people, e.g., They praised the priest’s benevolence. Beneficence: the act of performing a good deed, e.g., The beneficence of one man.

Answer 214

Between: indicates one-to-one relationships, e.g., between you and me. Among: indicates undefined or collective relationships, e.g., honor among thieves, also used with plurals of nouns that can be counted, e.g., among the children Amid: used with mass nouns, e.g., amid talk of war EXCEPTION: “Between” is perfectly appropriate for more than two objects if multiple one-to-one relationships are understood from the context, e.g., trade between members of the European Union Tip: Avoid “amidst” and “amongst”.

Answer 215

Beside: at the side of Besides: in addition to

Answer 216

Blatant: plain for all to see, e.g., a blatant error Flagrant: brazen and open, e.g., a flagrant insult

Answer 217

Born: to be born, a born ruler Borne: the past participle of “bear,” also used to form compound terms in the sciences, e.g., foodborne, vector-borne

Answer 218

Bring vs. Take: Ask yourself: where is the action directed? If it’s toward you, use “bring,” e.g., bring home the bacon. If it’s away from you, use “take,” e.g., take out the trash.

Answer 219

Childish: negative connotation, connotes immaturity and unreasonableness, e.g., childish ranting Childlike: positive connotation, connotes innocence, mildness, and freshness, e.g., a childlike smile

Answer 220

Collaborate: to work together Corroborate: to back up with proof or evidence

Answer 221

Collegial: describes a relationship with a colleague Collegiate: describes a relationship to college

Answer 222

Common: shared by two or more people Mutual: reciprocal, e.g., mutual obligations Tip: “friend in common” is preferred to “mutual friend"

Answer 223

Compelled: forced Impelled: convinced of something’s necessity

Answer 224

Complacent: to be content with oneself and one’s life and unprepared for it to change Complaisant: to be easygoing and eager to please Compliant: obedient

Answer 225

Condole: to verbally express sympathy Console: to comfort

Answer 226

Contagious: spreads by direct contact with an infected person or animal Infectious: spread by germs on a contaminated object Tip: In nonliteral usage, the terms are interchangeable

Answer 227

Contravene: to conflict with or violate Controvert: to challenge or contradict

Answer 228

Corporal: relates to the body, e.g., corporal punishment Corporeal: has a body, e.g., not our spiritual but our corporeal existence

Answer 229

Counselor: a person who gives advice Councilor: one who sits on a council

Answer 230

A matter of size. A crack in the sidewalk is a “crevice”; a fissure in a glacier or a dam is a “crevasse.”

Answer 231

Derisive: ridiculing, e.g., derisive laughter Derisory: deserving of ridicule, e.g., a derisory hat

Answer 232

Discriminating: distinguishing, discerning Discriminatory: reflecting a biased treatment, e.g., a discriminatory employment policy

Answer 233

Eager: excited, enthusiastic Anxious: denotes uneasiness NOTE: Anxious has a negative connotation. Don’t use it in place of “eager,” e.g., I’m anxious to meet him.

Answer 234

Effrontery: an act of shameless impudence or audacity Affront: a deliberate insult

Answer 235

Enervate: to weaken or drain energy Innervate: to stimulate or provide energy

Answer 236

Enumerable: countable Innumerable: can’t be counted, at least not practically

Answer 237

Forbear: to refrain Forebear: an ancestor

Answer 238

Forego: to go before Forgo: to do without or renounce

Answer 239

Fortuitous: by chance Fortunate: by good fortune

Answer 240

Guild: an organization of persons with a common interest or profession Gild: to gild is to put a thin layer of gold on something

Answer 241

Imply: to hint or suggest Infer: to deduce

Answer 242

Innate: a characteristic that a living thing has from birth Inherent: a characteristic that is part of a thing’s nature, but life is not implied, e.g., the rock’s inherent hardness

Answer 243

Jealousy: resentment toward another Envy: covetousness of another’s advantages, possessions, or abilities

Answer 244

Leach: to percolate or to separate out solids in solution by percolation Leech: a bloodsucking creature

Answer 245

Same meaning with one distinction: Either the owner or the tenant can be said to “lease” property, but only the owner can be said to “let” it.

Answer 246

Malevolent: evil in mind, e.g., with malevolent intent Maleficent: evil in deed, e.g., a maleficent bully

Answer 247

Naturalist: a person who studies natural history Naturist: a nature worshiper or a nudist

Answer 248

Obtuse: describes a person who can’t understand, dull, dull-witted Abstruse: describes an idea that is hard to understand, incomprehensible or nearly so

Answer 249

Odious: hateful Odorous/Odoriferous: detectable by smell—for better or worse Malodorous: smelling quite bad

Answer 250

Oppress: to persecute or tyrannize Repress: to restrain or subordinate

Answer 251

Ordinance: a regulation or an authoritative decree Ordnance: military armament, especially artillery but also weapons and ammunition generally

Answer 252

Pertain: to relate to Appertain: to belong to by right, e.g., rights appertaining to the defendant

Answer 253

Precipitate: to cause to happen suddenly, to act or speak in a sudden or rash manner. Precipitous: dangerously steep

Answer 254

Purposely: done intentionally Purposefully: done with a certain goal in mind, e.g., he strode purposefully into the room

Answer 255

“Rack” is used in all common usage. “Wrack” refers only to seaweed.

Answer 256

Recur: to happen again and again, to return to one’s attention or memory, e.g., the idea recurred to him throughout the night Reoccur: to happen again

Answer 257

Refrain: to keep from doing something Restrain: to stop another from doing something, especially by force E.g., if you don’t refrain from disorderly conduct, the police will restrain you.

Answer 258

Staunch: ardent and faithful Stanch: to stop the flow

Answer 259

Subsequent: something that happens after something else Consequent: something that happens as a result of something that happened before Tip: The second denotes causation; the first does not.

Answer 260

Systematic: according to a plan or system, organized methodically, or arranged in a system Systemic: affecting the whole of something

Answer 261

Tantalizing: something desired but out of reach Titillating: something that tickles pleasantly, literally or figuratively—often carries sexual connotations

Answer 262

Plain: simple, apparent, unadorned, an expanse of lowland Plane: airplane, flat surface, wood-shaping tool

Answer 263

Formula: Singular Formulas: Plural, preferred Formulae: Plural, less common

Answer 264

Bold: fearless Bald: simple & blunt (or having no hair) Tip: Certain phrases use these words almost interchangeably, e.g. a bold/bald-faced lie. "Bold statement" and "bald statement" are both acceptable phrases, but they mean slightly different things.

Answer 265

"Champing at the bit" To chomp is to bite or chew. To champ is to grind.

Notorious Confusables Flashcards

(289 cards)