confusing word pairs

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yes, i’m a grammar nazi, but even i learned something from this list:



accede: stick to agreement
exceed: surpass		accept: receive
except: exclude		 adapt: adjust
adept: proficient
adverse: opposed
averse: not interested		 affect: change, influence
effect: (v) to bring about (n) result, impression		 all right: all right
alright: outdated usage
allude: refer to indirectly
elude: avoid		 altar: place of worship
alter: to change		 appraise: value
apprise: inform, notify
capital:seat of government; money
capitol: building where legislative body meets		 complement:somthing that completes (noun); to complete (verb).
compliment: a flattering remark (noun); to praise (verb)		 continual: happens frequently in time: close succession
continuous: uninterrupted
emigration: moving from a country
immigration: moving to a country		 eminent: outstanding, revered
imminent: threatening to happen soon		 everyday: The everyday (ordinary) routine of working
every day: Call me every day (each day) this week.
farther: refers to actual distance
further: refers to figurative distance		 imply: speaker implies (suggests)
infer: hearer infers (perceives)		 floe: large sheet of floating ice
flow: move, run freely, circulate
lay: to set down, to place or put an item down
lie: to recline		pray: to ask for by prayer or supplication
prey: animal hunted or caught for food; victim		 principal: first in authority; main participant; amount of a debt less interest
principle: basic truth or assumption
raise: to cause to lift or to lift something
rise: to ascend, move upward, or get up		 real: adjective (real sugar)
really: adverb (really wishing for…)		 set: to place something somewhere
sit: to be in a position of rest or to be seated
stationary: not moving: fixed
stationery: writing material: letterhead, envelopes, etc.		 suit: a set of clothes; legal action
suite: number of items making up a set, series, or sequence		 waiver: the giving up of a claim
waver: to hesitate; also tremble or quaver

[from webgrammar]

Posted in: words

6 Thoughts on “confusing word pairs”

  1. Goddess on February 28, 2001 at 10:13 said:

    *stomps foot* That was directed at me wasn’t it?!?

  2. heather on February 28, 2001 at 10:42 said:

    no, mistress!

  3. Goddess on February 28, 2001 at 11:26 said:

    Good girl!

  4. paige on February 28, 2001 at 17:43 said:

    I didn’t know about the continual/continuous difference. Excellent- I can go home now, I’ve learned something.

  5. (the shorter)Heather on March 1, 2001 at 17:31 said:

    I’ve been spelling all right all wrong all this time???? I’m going to go hide my head in shame for a week.

  6. heather on March 2, 2001 at 08:19 said:

    don’t be silly. besides, you’re the one who taught me about feeling nauseated!

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