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NTC's Dictionary of

EASILY CONFUSED WORDS With Complete Examples of Correct Usage

Deborah K. Williams

� National Textbook Company

Nle

a

division of NTC

Publishing Gtvup

•

Lmcolnwood, IUinOis USA

© 1995 National Textbook Company, a division of NTC Pubiisiung Group, 4255 West Touhy Avenue, Lincolnwood (Clucago), niinois, 60646-1975 U.S.A. All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or ulIlIzauon of tJus work in any form or by any electroruc, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including scanning, photocopying, and recording, and in any informallon storage and retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permIssion of the publisher. Manufactured in the United States of America. 4567R90VP987654321

Contents

Introduction

Vll

Acknowledgments

IX

Pronunciation Guide

Xl

Dictionary

1-193

Introduction

English is generously endowed with several types of easily confused words. Some of these words are homophones (homo 'same, ' phone ' sound')-words that are pronounced alike but are different in spelling, meaning, or both. Examples of common homophones include sail and sale; their, there, and they 're; and knight and night. Other easily confused words are troublesome because of the gram­ matical rules that govern their use. Unless one knows the rules that dictate which word should be used in a particular context, it is easy to misuse such pairs as can and may; among and between; and shall and will. Finally, some words are easily confused simply because they are easy to mix up. Such word pairs as infer and imply; disinterested and uninterested; and flounder and founder are often used incorrectly because they are similar in meaning and form yet have subtle differences in definition. This book is an easy-to-use reference guide that will help the user understand confusing words and their usage and to then choose the correct spelling or meaning of a word for any given situation. The dictionary consists of word groups arranged alphabetically by the first word of each set. All sets of words are alphabetized inter­ nally as well. For example, aisle-I'll-isle is the full entry preceding all-awl . Cross-referencing permits the user to locate every word quickly and easily. Each word is followed by a pronunciation key in brackets, a concise definition, and a sentence example demonstrating how the word is used in everyday English. Hence, this dictionary enables the reader not only to find sets of easily confused words, but also to discover how the words are pronounced, what they mean, and how to use them in the written or spoken language. This dictionary is designed to help speakers and writers master the confusing words in the English language. It will also pique (or is it peak ?) interest in learning more about these pesky problem words.

vii

Acknowledgments

I wish to thank all of my students-past, present, and future-not only for their contributions to this book, but also for making teaching the rewarding profession that it is. I am also grateful to Jeanne Breaugh, Trudy Carpenter, John McAlear, and Linda Peckham for the support, enthusiasm , and expertise they offered me during this proj ect. A special thanks to Dr. Larry Standridge who piqued my interest in adult education and gave me yet another homophone. And finally, I will always be grateful to my family for allowing me to make a dream come true. Deborah K. Williams

ix

Pronunciation Guide

Each word in the dictionary is followed by a phonetic transcription in the symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet (lPA). The style of pronunciation reflected here is conversational or informal and is intended to help users recognize the word. The transcriptions distinguish between [a] and [J] and between [w] and [M] even though not all Americans do so. In strict IPA fashion, [j] rather than the [y] substitute is used for the initial sound in "yellow." The most promi­ nent syllable in a multisyllabic word is preceded by a ['] . The following chart shows the American English values for each of the IPA symbols used in the phonetic transcriptions. To use the chart, first find the large phonetic symbol whose value you want to determine. The three, simple English words to the right of the symbol contain examples of the sound for which the phonetic symbol stands. The letters in boldface type indicate where the sound in question is found in the English word.

xi

Pronunciation Guide [a]

[ re]

[au]

[01]

[b]

[d]

[6]

[d3]

[e]

[E]

[ ;:,]

xii

{

stop to p

{ sat tr a k

c

{ cow o

n w

{ bite my

{

beet bubble

{ dead bo dy

[ 3'-]

[0

[ g]

[h]

[i]

[1]

{

that those

m

{

jail judge

[k]

date sail

[I]

{

{ get se t

{ but nut

[m]

[n]

{ bird turtle

[ IJ]

feel if

[0]

get frog

[01]

hat who

[J]

{ feet e

[p]

{ { {

l ak

{ bit hiss

{

yellow you

{ can keep

[r]

[s]

m

lawn yellow

[t]

family slam

[tJ]

{ new funny

[ 8]

{ {

{ bring thing

{ coat wrote

{ spoil boy

{ caught a y

wn

[u]

[u]

[v]

[w]

{

tip pat

L",,]

{

rat berry

[z]

{

sun fast

[3]

{

fish sure

[']

{ top pot

{

cheese pitcher

{

thin faith

{ food blue

{ put look

{ {

save van

well wi nd

{

wheel while

{

fuzzy zoo

{

pleasure treasure

{

'water ho ' tel

NTC's Dictionary of

EASILY CONFUSED WORDS

A

a while - awhile a while [�'MOIl] returns from his errand. awhile [�MOII] continuing our hike.

a short time. D It might be a while before he for a short time. D We will rest awhile before

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acts-axe acts [rekts] act D In the military, acts of heroism are recognized by the presentation of ribbons and medals. acts [rekts] act D Each of the play's three acts ended with a dimming of the stage lights. acts [rekts] act D Gregory acts quite differently at school than he does at home. ax(e) [reks] D One swing of the axe splintered the logs. ax(e) [reks] (An ask . D I want to axe you a question. D Did you axe her yet ?

the plural of 'a deed or an action.'

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•

•

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the plural of 'one of the main divisions of a musical comedy or a play.' the present tense, third person singular of 'to behave.' a hand-held chopping tool, similar to a hatchet. to ask something of someone. older, now dia­ lect, form of Not considered standard English. Spelling may vary.)

ad- add ad [red] •

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an abbreviation of advertisement 'a notice of some type, usually published or broadcast.' D The ad for a part-time farmhand attracted several interested people. add [red] to increase something in amount, number, or size. D Each year, I add several stamps to my collection. D As a child, I found it easier to add than to subtract. 1

add add

See the main entry beginning with addition- edition addition [;)'dIJn] a room or rooms built onto a house or other building. Mr. Smith is building an addition on the back of his house. addition [;)'dIJn] an increase. D The addition of two clerks in the office will lighten everyone 's workload. edition [;)'dIJn] a version of a published book or other docu­ ment. D A later edition of a textbook usually contains some ad.

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D

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changes to the original. D The morning edition ofthe newspaper reaches the newsstands very early in the day. adds- adze adds [redz] •

the present tense, third person singular of add 'to increase the number, size, or amount of something.' Tom usually adds too much salt to the soup. adze [redz] a sharp cutting tool with a curved blade. D An 0

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adze is one of the tools used by a ship 's carpenter. adherence - adherents adherence [;)d'hE3'-;)nts] D Joe 's strict adherence to high moral principles made him an excellent role model. adherents [;)d'hE3'-;)nts] adherent D The adherents of the religious leader numbered in the tens of thousands.

a steadfast attachment to some­

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thing.

•

the plural of 'a person who follows or believes a certain doctrine, person, or plan.'

adherents

See the main entry beginning with adze See the main entry beginning with affect - effect affect [;)'fEkt] to have an impression, influence, or effect on something. D Offers of athletic scholarships could affect Jim 's decision on which college to attend. effect [;)'fEkt, E'fEkt] a result or consequence. Some drugs have the effect of causing sleepiness. adherence.

adds.

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0

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aid- aide aid D Several nations sent medical and financial aid to the war-torn country. aide D A general 's personal aide must be completely trustworthy. •

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aide 2

red] assistance or help. red] a person who acts as a helper or assistant. See the main entry beginning with aid.

all- awl ail- ale ail 0 Many townspeople continued to ail long after the plague swept through their village. ale 0 The members of the wedding party raised their steins filled with ale and sang in unison.

[el] to be in ill health. [ell an alcoholic beverage brewed from malt and hops.

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air-err- heir air •

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