Commonly confused words in English

1. Complete the sentences with the words in bold.

a) efficient / effective
The new online banking system offers a convenient and efficient way to check
your account.
Taking this tablet is a very effective treatment for travel sickness.

b) effect / affect
These diseases affect mainly older people.
Any change in your lifestyle will have an effect on
your health.

c) briefly / shortly
We’re going to break for lunch very shortly.
Tell me briefly what your story is about.

d) raise / rise
Salaries will continue to rise in line with inflation.
The government planned to raise taxes and increase social benefits.

e) permit / permission
Official permission has been granted for more construction near the river.
They wouldn’t give him the job without a work permit.

f) quite / quiet
I enjoyed her new book though it's not quite as good as her last one.
Could you keep quiet while I'm on the phone, please?

g) adopt / adapt
If we can adapt Walmart’s strategy to our industry, we’ll definitely win the market.
The new tax would force companies to adopt energy-saving measures.

h) especially / specially
This building has specially designed entrances for the disabled.
Johnson did especially well in the final game leading the team to victory.

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 Commonly confused words in English

2. For each point, choose the correct sentence.

a) Alex knows his limitations.
1) He is conscious of his limitations.
2) He is a very conscientious person.

b) Mary seems to be a very caring and understanding character.

1) Mary comes across as a nice character.
2) Mary comes across as a sympathetic character.

c) He acted in a fair and unbiased way.

1) He was totally uninterested.
2) He was totally disinterested.

d) They will never sell their collection of modern art. However, if they ever decide
to do that, they will earn millions.
1) Their collection is worthless.
2) Their collection is priceless.

e) Jane is a reasonable and practical person.

1) Jane is a very sensible person.
2) Jane is a very sensitive person.

f) She studies traditional ballet rather than modern ballet.

1) She studies classic ballet.
2) She studies classical ballet.

g) When you run a new business, you have to keep track of your expenses
carefully.
1) This is an economic way to run your new business.
2) This is an economical way to run your new business.

h) Thank you so much for helping us move house.

1) We are so grateful.
2) We are so thankful.

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 Commonly confused words in English

3. Choose five words in bold from the sentences that haven’t been selected in
ex. 2. Write sentences with each word you have chosen.
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