Word pairs that sound alike or look alike and get swapped by mistake. Each page gives the answer first, then the test that tells them apart.
English · 116 guides
Word pairs that sound alike or look alike and get swapped by mistake. Each page gives the answer first, then the test that tells them apart.
Sensual is about bodily appetite, usually sexual. Sensuous is about the senses in general, usually aesthetic. A sensual embrace. A sensuous piece of music. The test that settles it Ask whether you could use the word about a cello or a length of silk without anyone reading a second meaning into it. If you could,…
Set takes an object — you set something down. Sit does not — you sit down yourself. Set the tray on the table, then sit beside me. The test that settles it Put a noun straight after the verb. If the sentence still works, you want set. If the subject is the one doing the…
In modern English, will is the default for the future. Shall survives mainly in questions with I or we, and in legal drafting. Shall I open a window? I will be there at six. The test that settles it If you are offering, suggesting or asking for instructions with I or we, use shall. Everywhere…
Venal means corrupt and open to bribery. Venial means minor and forgivable. A venal official. A venial mistake. The test that settles it The longer word is the lighter offence. Venial has an extra i, and it means insignificant. Try it “a ___ judge” → taking bribes, so venal. “a ___ error” → a small…
A regime is a system of government. A regimen is a planned routine, usually for health. The previous regime. A training regimen. The test that settles it The extra n is for the personal routine. Governments get the shorter word. Try it “the military ___” → a government, so regime. “a daily skincare ___” →…
Respectfully means with respect. Respectively means in the order just given. I respectfully disagree. Gold and silver went to Kenya and Norway respectively. The test that settles it Respectfully contains full — full of respect. The other one is about order. Try it “___ submitted” → with respect, so respectfully. “aged 6 and 9 ___”…
A review is an assessment. A revue is a variety show. A book review. A satirical revue. The test that settles it The French spelling is the theatrical one. If it is not on a stage, it is review. Try it “a five-star ___” → an assessment, so review. “a musical ___” → a stage…
Right means correct or a direction. A rite is a ceremony. To write is to put words down. The right answer. A funeral rite. Write it down. The test that settles it Write starts with wr, like wrote and written. A rite is a ritual. Try it “last ___” → a ceremony, so rites. “___…
A role is a part played. To roll is to turn over, and a roll is a list or a small loaf. A leading role. Roll the dice. The test that settles it One l for the part in a play. Two l for everything else, including things that actually roll. Try it “a key…
Tortuous means twisting or overly complicated. Torturous means causing suffering. A tortuous mountain road. A torturous ordeal. The test that settles it Look for the extra r. Tor-tur-ous contains torture; tor-tu-ous does not. Try it “a ___ negotiation” → long and winding, so tortuous. “a ___ headache” → painful, so torturous. Tortuous: twisting, or convoluted…
Principal means main, or names a head of school. A principle is a rule or belief. The principal reason. A matter of principle. The test that settles it The principal is your pal — and that is also the spelling for the main one. Try it “the ___ cause” → the main one, so principal….
To precede is to come before. To proceed is to carry on. A short speech preceded the meal. Please proceed. The test that settles it Pre- means before, as in preview and prepare. Pro- means forward, as in progress. Try it “the chapter that ___ it” → comes before, so precedes. “___ to the exit”…
Premier means first or leading, and names a head of government. A premiere is a first performance. The country’s premier institution. The film’s premiere. The test that settles it The extra e is for the event. Openings, screenings and first nights all take premiere. Try it “the ___ league” → leading, so premier. “attended the…
Quiet means making little noise. Quite means fairly or completely. A quiet room. Quite good. The test that settles it This is usually a typing slip rather than a real confusion — the letters are simply transposed. Two syllables is quiet; one is quite. Try it “please be ___” → silent, so quiet. “___ difficult”…
Rain falls from the sky. A monarch reigns. A rein controls a horse. Heavy rain. A long reign. Take the reins. The test that settles it Reign and sovereign share the -eign. And a rein is a line — both spelled without the g. Try it “___ in spending” → controlling it, so rein. “the…