A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
The Word Confusion came about due to the poor word choices that kept cropping up in the books I was reading or reviewing. It was driving me mad, and I decided a series of posts that cleared up the confusion would be useful to self-editing writers. For more detail on the “anatomy” of a word confusion, see below.
Don’t feel bad…it’s not just self-publishing authors who screw up. I recently did a re-read of J.D. Robb’s In Death series, reading them one after another, and hoo, boy. Someone over there has no clue. This reading marathon pointed up how often and frequently Robb’s editors are NOT catching words used improperly! I don’t think much of whoever is proofreading over at Berkley. That or they’re getting confused over which words are Eve’s purposeful misuse and which are not.
Explore the current posts on words which confuse many authors. Explore them for your own problem words and reduce or eliminate them from your own publications. And just to make things easier to find, check out the index for any word that confuses you — at least that I’ve written a post on, anyway!
This list is in no way complete, and I’d love it if you’d send your own suggestions and comments . . . I don’t necessarily promise to include them, but . . .
If you know someone who could use some help with their own Word Confusions, consider subscribing to KD Did It, if you’d like to track this self-editing aid for future updates.
Word Confusion Posts
Return to the Table of Contents
À deux vs Adieu vs Ado
A Hold versus Ahold
A Lot vs Alot vs Allot
A While vs Awhile vs While or Whilst vs Wile
Aaah vs Ah vs Aha vs Ahhh
Aberrant versus Abhorrent
Abbess vs Canoness vs Nun
Abduct vs Hijack vs Kidnap
Ability vs Capability vs Capacity
Abjure versus Adjure
Ablution versus Absolution
About versus Approximate
Absolutely versus Positively
Absorb versus Adsorb
Abstract versus Summary
Abstruse versus Obtuse
Abysmal versus Abyssal
Abyss versus Bliss
Acadia versus Arcadia
Accede vs Concede vs Exceed
Accept vs Except vs Excerpt vs Expect
Access versus Accession
Access versus Assess
Access versus Excess
Accident versus Mishap
Accidentally versus Accidently
Acclimate versus Accommodate
Acclivity versus Declivity
Accolade versus Acolyte
Accord versus Accordance
Accuse vs Allege vs Suspect
Accuse versus Charge
Acetic versus Ascetic
Acrobatics vs Aerobatics vs Aerobics
Across vs Over vs Through
Act versus Action
Acts vs Ask vs Ax(e)
Actual versus Actually
Ad versus Add
Adapt versus Adopt
Adaptive vs Adopted vs Adoptive
Addicted versus Dependent
Addition versus Edition
Adduce vs Deduce vs Educe vs Induce
Adhere versus Cohere
Admission versus Confession
Adversary vs Enemy vs Foe vs Opponent
Adverse verse Averse
Advice versus Advise
Aerie vs Airy vs Eerie
Aerobic vs Anaerobic vs Cardio
Aeroplane versus Airplane
Aesthetics versus Esthetics
Aether versus Ether
Affect versus Effect
Affective versus Effective
Afflict versus Inflict
Afterward versus Afterword
Ageing versus Aging
Aggravate versus Annoy
Aggravate versus Irritate
Aggregate versus Total
Aggressive versus Assertive
Aid versus Aide
Ail versus Ale
Aioli versus Areola
Air vs Err vs Heir
Aisle vs I’ll vs Isle
Alibi versus Excuse
All versus Awl
All of a Sudden vs All of the Sudden
All Ready versus Already
All Right versus Alright
All Together versus Altogether
All Ways versus Always
Allée vs Alley vs Ally
Allege versus Assert
Allowed versus Aloud
Allusion vs Delusion vs Elusion vs Illusion
Allusive vs Delusive vs Elusive vs Illusive
Alone vs Lone vs Lonely vs Lonesome
Aloud versus Out Loud
Altar versus Alter
Alternative versus Choice
Altitude vs Elevation vs Height
Alumna versus Alumnus
Amateur vs Novice vs Tyro
Ambidexterity versus Multitasking
Ambiguous versus Ambivalent
Ambiguous versus Equivocal
Amiable versus Amicable
Amid / Amidst vs Among / Amongst
Amok versus Amuck
Among versus Between
Amoral vs Immoral vs Nonmoral vs Unmoral
Amount vs Number vs Quantity
Amulet vs Artifact vs Charm vs Talisman
Amuse versus Bemuse
Amused versus Amusing
Annals vs Annual vs Annul
Anarchism vs Anarchy vs Anomaly
Anchorage, Haven, Moorage, and Roadstead
Ancient vs Antiquate vs Antique vs Antiquity
Anecdote versus Antidote
Angel versus Angle
Anhydrous versus Hygroscopic
Anile versus Senile
Animal vs Beast vs Brute
Annunciate versus Enunciate
Ant versus Aunt
Antagonist versus Protagonist
Ante- vs Ante vs Anti- vs Anti
Antique vs Retro vs Vintage
Anthropomorphism versus Personification
Antibacterial vs Antiseptic vs Disinfectant
Anticipate versus Expect
Anxious versus Eager
Any More versus Anymore
Any One versus Anyone
Any Time versus Anytime
Any Way vs Anyway vs Anyways
Apartment vs Condo vs Flat vs Townhouse
Apiary vs Aviary
Apparently vs Obviously vs Seemingly
Appeal versus Appease
Appear versus Seem
Apperception versus Perception
Appraise versus Apprise
Arbiter versus Arbitrator
Arc versus Arch
Are vs Hour vs Our
Arose vs Arouse vs Rouse
Arrant versus Errant
Arroyo vs Coulee vs Wadi vs Wash
Artist versus Artiste
As versus Because
As versus For
As versus Like
As versus Since
As versus That
As versus Whether
Ascent versus Assent
Assistance versus Assistants
Assume versus Presume
Assure vs Ensure vs Insure
Ate versus Eight
Attach vs Attaché vs Attachée
Attachment versus Enclosure (in a Business Letter)
Attain versus Attaint
Attain versus Obtain
Auger versus Augur
Aught versus Ought
Aural vs Oral vs Verbal
Avenge vs Revenge vs Vengeance
Aw versus Awe
Awaken vs Wake Up vs Wake-up
Award vs Prize vs Reward
Axel versus Axle
Aye versus Eye
Return to the Table of Contents
Backward versus Backwards
Bad versus Badly
Bad vs Worse vs Worst
Bail versus Bale
Bait versus Bate
Bald vs Balled vs Bawled
Bald-faced versus Bold-faced
Ballocks or Bollocks versus Bullocks
Band versus Banned
Banns versus Bans
Bar vs Barre vs Barré
Barbaric versus Barbarous
Bard versus Barred
Bare versus Bear
Baron versus Baronet
Baron versus Barren
Base versus Bass
Based On versus On The Basis Of
Bases versus Basis
Bat versus Batt
Bath versus Bathe
Baton versus Batten
Bay vs Bight vs Cove
Bayou vs Bog vs Marsh vs Swamp
Bazaar versus Bizarre
Be versus Bee
Beach versus Beech
Beach vs Coast vs Shore
Beadle vs Beatle vs Beetle vs Betel
Beat versus Beet
Because Of versus Due To
Beer versus Bier
Begin vs Began vs Begun
Bell versus Belle
Bellow versus Below
Bellow versus Billow
Berth versus Birth
Beside versus Besides
Better versus Bettor
Bi- vs Biannual vs Biennial
Bib versus Bibb
Bight vs Bite vs Byte
Bigotry vs Prejudice vs Racism
Billed versus Build
Bimonthly versus Semimonthly
Bing versus Binge
Bite versus Byte
Blackmail versus Extortion
Blanket vs Comforter vs Quilt
Blew versus Blue
Bloc versus Block
Blog vs Post vs Website
Blond(e)s & Brunet(te)s
boar vs Boer vs boor vs bore
Board versus Bored
Boarder versus Border
Boil vs Carbuncle vs Cyst
Bolder versus Boulder
Born vs Borne vs Bourn
Borough vs Burro vs Burrow
Borrow vs Lend vs Loan
Bot versus Bought
Bouillon versus Bullion
Boy versus Buoy
Brake versus Break
Brasserie vs Brassiere vs Brazier
Breach versus Breech
Bread versus Bred
Breadth vs Breath vs Breathe
Break Through versus Breakthrough
Break Up vs Break-up, Breakup
Brews versus Bruise
Bridal versus Bridle
Bring versus Take
Broach versus Brooch
Bruit vs Brut vs Brute
Burglary vs Robbery vs Steal vs Theft
Bus versus Buss
But versus Butt
Buy vs By vs Bye
Return to the Table of Contents
Ca. and Circa
Cache vs Cachet vs Cash
Cachet versus Panache
Caddie versus Caddy
Cadge versus Cage
Calendar vs Calender vs Colander
Callous versus Callus
Calvary versus cavalry
Camaraderie versus Comradery
Can versus Ken
Can versus May
Canal vs Impoundment vs Moat vs Reservoir
Caning vs Canning
Cannon versus Canon
Canter versus Cantor
Canvas versus Canvass
Capital versus Capitol
Capri versus capris
Carat vs Karat vs Caret vs Carrot
Careen versus Career
Carousal versus Carousel
Carpet versus Rug
Carrel vs Chorale vs Corral
Casual versus Causal
Casualty versus Causality
catholic versus Catholic
‘Cause versus Cause
Cay vs Key vs Quay
Cede versus Seed
Celibacy versus Chastity
Cell versus Sell
Cement versus Concrete
Cemetery vs Churchyard vs Graveyard
Censer vs Censor vs Sensor
Censor versus Censure
Cent vs Scent vs Sense vs Sent
Century versus Sentry
Cereal versus Serial
Channel vs Dyke vs Rill
Chanty versus Shanty
Charge vs Fare vs Fee vs Tax
Chargé d’affaires vs Chargée d’affaires
Cher, Chéri versus Chère, Chérie
Chile vs Chili vs Chilly
china versus China
Chock vs Chook vs Chuck
Choose versus Chose
Choral versus Chorale
Choral versus Coral
Chord versus Cord
Chute versus Shoot
Circumcision vs Circumspect vs Circumstance
Circumference versus Diameter
Cite vs Sight vs Site
Civil versus Silver
Clamber versus Clamor
Classic versus Classical
Clench versus Clinch
Click versus Clique
Climactic versus Climatic
Close vs Clothes vs Cloths
Co-op versus Co-opt
Co-op vs Coop vs Coup vs Coupe, Coupé
Coarse versus Course
Cognomen versus Surname
Collage versus College
Collectable versus Collectible
College versus University
Collide versus Crash
Collision versus Collusion
Colonel versus Kernel
Common Sense versus Commonsense
Compare To versus Compare With
Compel versus Impel
Compile versus Comply
Complement versus Compliment
Compose versus Comprise
Concentrated versus Concerted
Confidant vs Confidante vs Confident
Conjecture versus Conjuncture
Connive versus Conspire
Connotation versus Denotation
Conscience versus Conscious
Conservation versus Conversation
Consolation versus Constellation
Consul vs Council vs Counsel
Contest versus Context
Contiguous versus Continuous
Continual versus Continuous
Convert versus Covert
Convince versus Persuade
Coolie vs Coulee vs Coulis
Co-op versus Co-opt
Coo versus Coup
Coolie vs Coulee vs Coulis
Cops versus Copse
Copy Right vs Copyright vs Copywriter
Cord vs Cored
Core vs Corps vs Corpse
Corollary versus Correlation
Coroner vs Forensic Pathologist vs Medical Examiner
Courtesy versus Curtsey
Cousin versus Cozen
Coy versus Koi
Craft versus Kraft
Crape versus Crepe
Crawl versus Kraal
Creak versus Creek
Crewel versus Cruel
Criteria versus Criterion
Croc versus Crock
Crochet versus Crotchet
Crumble versus Crumple
Crumby vs Crumbly vs Crummy
Crunches versus Crutches
Crypt vs Mausoleum vs Tomb
Cue versus Queue
Currant versus Current
Curser versus Cursor
cypress versus Cyprus
Return to the Table of Contents
Daemon versus Demon
Dairy versus Diary
Dam versus Damn
Days versus Daze
Dear versus Deer
Deboss versus Emboss
Decent vs Descent vs Dissent
Deduce versus Deduct
Defamation is Either Libel or Slander
Defiant versus Definite
Definite versus Definitive
Defuse versus Diffuse
Delegate versus Relegate
Delta vs Estuary vs Rapids vs Source
Demur versus Demure
Dense versus Dents
Dental versus Dentil
Deny versus Refuse
Deprecate versus Depreciate
Desert versus Dessert
Desperate versus Disparate
Destain vs Disdain vs Distain vs Distrain
Device versus Devise
Dew vs Do vs Due
Didactic versus Pedantic
Die versus Dye
Different From vs Different Than vs Different To
Disable versus Handicap
Disassemble versus Dissemble
Disburse versus Disperse
Discomfit versus Discomfort
Discreet versus Discrete
Disgruntled versus Gruntled
Disillusion versus Dissolution
Disinterested versus Uninterested
Dissertation versus Thesis
Do versus Make
Doc versus Dock
Dock vs Pier vs Wharf
Does vs Doughs vs Doze
Dogmatic versus Pragmatic
Done versus Dun
Dos, Do’s versus Dues
Dose versus Doze
Dosed vs Doused vs Dowsed
Down Stairs versus Downstairs
Dragged versus Drug
Dragon versus Dragoon
Draught versus Drought
Dredge versus Drudge
Dual versus Duel
Duck versus Duct
Dud versus Dude
Dyeing versus Dying
Return to the Table of Contents
E’er vs Ere vs Err
Eagle-centric versus Egocentric
Earn versus Urn
earth versus Earth
East, North, South, West
Eave versus Eve
Ecological versus Environmental
Economic versus Economical
Eek versus Eke
Effigy vs Sculpture vs Statue
Egoism versus Egotism
Elder versus Eldest
Elder versus Older
Elicit versus Illicit
‘Em, ‘Er, ‘Im…
Emaciation versus Emancipation
Emigrate versus Immigrate
Eminent vs Immanent vs Imminent
Empath[et]ic versus Emphatic
Empathy versus Sympathy
Empire vs Empirical vs Imperial
Endemic vs Epidemic vs Pandemic
Endurance versus Stamina
Enquiry versus Inquiry
Ensue versus Ensure
Entitle versus Title
Entomology versus Etymology
Envelop versus Envelope
Envious versus Jealous
Epigram vs Epigraph vs Epitaph vs Epithet
Erupt versus Irupt
Eschatology versus Scatology
Especially versus Specially
Ethic versus Moral
Eunuchs versus Unix
Euphemism versus Synonym
Evacuation versus Extraction
Every Body versus Everybody
Every Day versus Everyday
Every Man versus Everyman
Every One versus Everyone
Every Place versus Everyplace
Every Thing versus Everything
Every Way versus Everyway
Every Where versus Everywhere
Ewe vs Yew vs You
Ewes vs Use vs Yews
Ex Parte vs Parté vs Parti vs Party
Ex-Patriot versus Expatriate
Exacerbate versus Exasperate
Exact versus Extract
Exalt versus Exult
Exercise versus Exorcise
Expanse versus Expense
Expedient versus Expeditious
Expiration versus Inspiration
Exsanguinate versus Exterminate
Extant versus Extent
Extend versus Extent
Extrovert versus Introvert
Return to the Table of Contents
Fact versus Factoid
Factional versus Factious
Factitious vs Fictional vs Fictitious vs Fictive
Facts vs FAQs vs Fax
Fain versus Feign
Faint versus Feint
Fair versus Fare
Fairy versus Ferry
Fake vs False vs Faux
Famous vs Infamous vs Notorious
Fanaticize versus Fantasize
Farther versus Further
Fascinated By, For, or With
Fashion versus Style
Fate versus Fete
Fathom versus Phantom
Faun versus Fawn
Faze versus Phase
Feasible versus Possible
Feat versus Feet
Fends versus Fens
Ferment versus Foment
Few versus Phew
Fewer versus Less
Fiancé versus Fiancée
Figuratively versus Literally
filly versus Philly
Find versus Fined
Fir versus Fur
First versus Firstly
Firth vs Fjord vs Gulf
Flack versus Flak
Flair versus Flare
Flammable versus Inflammable
Flaunt versus Flout
Flax vs Hemp vs Linen
Flea versus Flee
Flecks versus Flex
Flense versus Flesh
Flier versus Flyer
Flounder versus Founder
Flour versus Flower
Foaled versus Fold
Font versus Fount
For vs Fore vs Four
For- versus Fore-
For versus Fro
Forbid versus Prohibit
Forego versus Forgo
Foreword versus Forward
Former versus Latter
Formally versus Formerly
Formative versus Formidable
Former versus Latter
Fort versus Forte
Forte versus Forty
Forth versus Fourth
Fortuitous versus Fortunate
Forward versus Forwards
Foul versus Fowl
Frances versus Francis
Fur versus Hair
Furry versus Fury
Return to the Table of Contents
Gage versus Gauge
Gait versus Gate
gallop vs galop vs Gallup
Gantlet versus Gauntlet
Garnish versus Garnishee
Gauge versus Gouge
Gazpacho versus Gestapo
Gel versus Jell
Gem vs Jewel vs Stone
Genes versus Jeans
Genteel vs Gentile vs Gentle
Germaine versus Germane
Gesture versus Jester
Gibe vs Jibe vs Jive . . . and a Gybe
Gig versus Jig
Gild vs Gilt vs Guilt
Glamor versus Glamour
Glutenous vs Glutinous vs Gluttonous
GMO vs Non-GMO
Gnu vs Knew vs New
God versus god
Good versus Well
Good, Better, Best
Gorilla versus Guerilla
goth versus Gothic
Gourmand versus Gourmet
Grate versus Great
Gratuity versus Tip
Grew versus Grue
Grill versus Grille
Griping versus Gripping
Grisly vs Gristly vs Grizzly
Groan versus Grown
Grown Up vs Grown-Up vs Grownup
Guarantee vs Guaranty vs Warranty
Guise versus Guys
Return to the Table of Contents
Hair versus Hare
Half vs Halve vs Have
Hall versus Haul
Hallow versus Hollow
Hand Out versus Handout
Hangar versus Hanger
Hanged versus Hung
Harbor vs Marina vs Port vs Quay
Hardy versus Hearty
Harm versus Hurt
Hawk versus Hock
Heal versus Heel
Healthful versus Healthy
Hear vs Here with a Bit of a Listen
Heard versus Herd
Heart Beat versus Heartbeat
Heart Broken, Broken Heart versus Heartbroken
Herds versus HURDS
Hermit versus Monk
Heroin versus Heroine
Hertz versus Hurts
Heteronym
Hew versus Hue
Hieroglyph vs Petroglyph vs Pictograph
Historic versus Historical
Hmmm versus Mmmm
Hoard versus Horde
Hoarse versus Horse
Hoes vs Hos vs Hose
Hold versus Holed
Hole versus Whole
Holed versus Hulled
Holey vs Holly vs Holy vs Wholly
Holonyms and Meronyms
Home versus House
Home In On versus Hone In
Homey versus Homie
Homograph
Homonym
Homophone
Hoped versus Hopped
Hostel vs Hotel vs Motel
How Ever versus However
Huh
Human versus Humane
Hummus versus Humus
Hurdle versus Hurtle
Hypotenuse versus Hypothesis
Return to the Table of Contents
Idle vs Idol vs Idyll
If versus Whether
Imitate vs Intimidate vs Intimate
Impassable versus Impassible
Imply versus Infer
In versus Inn
In Actual Fact
In Lieu Of versus In Light Of
In versus Inn
In vs In To vs Into
Incidence versus Incidents
Incite versus Insight
Incredible versus Incredulous
Indelible vs Inedible vs Ineligible
Independence versus Independents
Indeterminable versus Indeterminate
Indict versus Indite
Indubitably vs Undoubtably vs Undoubtedly
Infect versus Infest
Inflammable versus Inflammatory
Ingest versus Inject
-ing and -ed Endings
Ingenious versus Ingenuous
Innocence versus Innocents
Insidious versus Invidious
Installation versus Instillation
Instance versus Instant
Intense vs Intensive vs Intent
Interested versus Interesting
Internet vs Intranet vs Web
Invested versus Vested
Irony vs Sarcasm vs Satire
Irregardless versus Regardless
It’s versus Its
Return to the Table of Contents
Return to the Table of Contents
Kibbutz versus Kibitz
Knap versus Nap
Knave versus Nave
Knead vs Kneed vs Need
Knee versus Née
Knew versus New
Knight versus Night
Knob versus Nob
Knot vs Naught/Nought vs Not
Know How versus Knowhow
Know versus No
Knows vs Noes vs Nose
Return to the Table of Contents
Lackadaisical versus Laxadaisical
Lacks versus Lax
Ladder vs Later vs Latter
Lade versus Laid
Lagoon vs Salt Chuck vs Tide Pool
Lain versus Lane
Lam versus Lamb
Lama versus Llama
Last vs Penultimate vs Ultimate
Lath vs Lathe vs Lave
Laudable versus Laudatory
Lay Out versus Layout
Lay versus Lie
Lays versus Laze
Lea vs Lee vs Lees
Leach versus Leech
Lead versus Led
Lead versus Lede
Leak versus Leek
Lean versus Lien
Leaper versus Leper
Leased versus Least
Lectern vs Podium vs Pulpit
Less versus Lest
Lessen versus Lesson
Lesser versus Lessor
Let’s versus Lets
Levy versus Lien
Liable versus Libel
Liable versus Likely
Liar vs Lier vs Lyre
Lichen versus Liken
Lie versus Lye
Lightening versus Lightning
Links versus Lynx
Literal versus Literally
Lo versus Low
Load versus Lode
Loan versus Lone
Loath versus Loathe
Loch versus Lock
Log In vs Log-In vs Login
Loose versus Lose
Lop versus Lope
Lord versus lord
Loses versus Losses
Lumbar versus Lumber
Lux versus Luxe
Luxuriant versus Luxurious
Return to the Table of Contents
Madam versus Madame
Made versus Maid
Mail versus Male
Main versus Mane
Maize versus Maze
Mall vs Maul vs Maw vs Moll
Manager versus Manger
Manatee versus Matinee
Manner versus Manor
Mantel versus Mantle
Marinade versus Marinate
Marital versus Martial
Mark versus Marque
Marquee versus Marquis
Marry versus Merry
Marshal vs Marshall vs Martial
Mass vs Massé vs En Masse
Masterful versus Masterly
Material versus Materiel
May Be versus Maybe
May versus Might
Mean vs Median vs Average
Meat vs Meet vs Mete
Medal vs Meddle vs Metal vs Mettle
Media versus Medium
Meld versus Melt
Meritorious versus Meretricious
Mic versus Mike
Midst vs Missed vs Mist
Might versus Mite
Might’a not be a Could’a, Would’a, Should’a
Mince versus Mints
Mind versus Mined
Miner versus Minor
Minister versus Minster
Misconception vs Misnomer vs Mistake
Moose versus Mousse
Moot Point versus Mute Point
Moral vs Morale vs Morel
Morbid versus Moribund
More/Most Important vs More/Most Importantly
More Than versus Over
Morning versus Mourning
Multiple versus Multiply
Muscle versus Mussel
Return to the Table of Contents
Naval versus Navel
Neither Is vs Neither Are
Newsletter versus Newspaper
Nod versus Shake
Nonchalant versus Nonplussed
None Is vs None Are
None versus Nun
Number versus Numeral
Return to the Table of Contents
O’er vs Oar vs Or vs Ore
Obelisk versus Odalisque
Obscenity vs Profanity vs Vulgarity
Ocean versus Sea
Ode versus Owed
Oh là là versus Ooh la la
Oh versus Owe
Okay
On vs On To vs Onto
One versus Won
Onward versus Onwards
Optimistic versus Pessimistic
Ordinance versus Ordnance
Oriel versus Oriole
Orientated vs Oriented vs Orienteered
Outcast versus Outcaste
Overdo versus Overdue
Overseas versus Oversees
Oxymoron versus Paradox
Return to the Table of Contents
Padding versus Patting
Paddy versus Patty
Paean vs Paeon vs Peon
Pail versus Pale
Pain versus Pane
Pair vs Pare vs Pear
Pairing versus Paring
Parkour versus Parquet
Palate vs Palette vs Pallet
Palatable versus Palpable
Parameter versus Perimeter
Paranormal vs Preternatural vs Supernatural
Parish versus Perish
Parity versus Parody
Parkour versus Parquet
Parlay versus Parley
Parody versus Satire
Partake In versus Partake Of
Pass vs Passed vs Past
Pass Time vs Past Time vs Pastime
Pastor versus Pasture
Patience versus Patients
Pause versus Paws
Peace versus Piece
Peak vs Peek vs Peke vs Pique
Peal versus Peel
Pearl vs Perle vs Purl
Pec versus Peck
Pedal vs Peddle vs Petal
Peer versus Pier
Pellet versus Pelt
Pendant versus Pendent
People versus Persons
Percent vs Percentage vs Percentile
Percussion versus Repercussion
Perfect versus Prefect
Peripheral versus Periphery
Perpetrate versus Perpetuate
Persecute versus Prosecute
Perseverate versus Persevere
Person versus Persona
Personal versus Personnel
Perspective versus Prospective
Peruse versus Pursue
Petit versus Petite
Pincher vs Pincer vs Pinscher
Pique versus Piqué versus Piquet
Pistil versus Pistol
Piteous vs Pitiable vs Pitiful vs Pitiless
Plain versus Plane
Plait versus Pleat
Platonic versus Plutonic
Pleas versus Please
Plum versus Plumb
Poisonous versus Venomous
Poled versus Polled
Pommel versus Pummel
Pond vs Tarn
Poo versus Pooh
Pool vs Seep vs Spring vs Tinaja
Poor vs Pore vs Pour
Porch versus Porsche
Pore versus Pour
Portentous vs Pretentious
Position versus Possession
Practicable versus Practical
Praise v Prays v Preys
Precede versus Proceed
Precedent versus President
Precipitant vs Precipitate vs Precipitous
Predominant versus Predominate
Premier versus Premiere
Preposition versus Proposition
Prescribe versus Proscribe
Presence versus Presents
Pride versus Prize
Pries vs Prise vs Prize
Principal versus Principle
Profit versus Prophet
Prone versus Supine
Prophecy versus Prophesy
Prostate versus Prostrate
Protégé versus Protégée
Psychopath versus Sociopath
Publically versus Publicly
Purposefully versus Purposely
Pus versus Puss
Return to the Table of Contents
Return to the Table of Contents
Racket versus Racquet
Rain vs Reign vs Rein
Raise versus Rise
Raise vs Rays vs Raze
Rapped vs Rapt vs Wrapped
Rappel versus Repel
Rapport versus Report
Rational versus Rationale
Ravage versus Ravish
Read versus Red
Read versus Reed
Real versus Reel
Rebut versus Refute
Reek versus Wreak
Regard To versus Regards To
Regretful versus Regrettable
Regretfully vs Regrettably
Relic versus Relict
Reluctant versus Reticent
Reluctant versus Reticent
Remain versus Stay
Renown versus Renowned
Repining versus Repinning
Respectably vs Respectfully vs Respectively
Rest versus Wrest
Resume versus Résumé
Retch versus Wretch
Reverend versus Reverent
Review versus Revue
Ridged versus Rigid
Rife versus Riff
Riff versus Rift
Riffle versus Rifle
Rift versus Rive
Right vs Rite vs Wright vs Write
Ringer versus Wringer
River vs Stream vs Tributary
Rivulet vs Runnel vs Sike
Road vs Rode vs Rowed
Rogue versus Rouge
Role versus Roll
Root vs Rout vs Route
Rose versus Rows
Rot versus Wrought
Rote versus Wrote
Roué vs Roux vs Rue
Rough versus Ruff
Rude versus Rued
Run Down vs Run-Down vs Rundown
Rung versus Wrung
Rye versus Wry
Return to the Table of Contents
Sachet versus Sashay
Sail versus Sale
Sale versus Sell
Salon versus Saloon
Saver vs Savior vs Savor
Scene versus Seen
Sconce versus Scone
Scoop versus Scope
Scotch vs scot/Scots vs Scottish
Scraping versus Scrapping
Scrimp versus Shrimp
Scrimp versus Skimp
Sea versus See
Seam versus Seem
Seat versus Seed
Seat versus Sit
Secret versus Secrete
Sense versus Since
Sensual vs Sensuous vs Sexual
Serf versus Surf
Serge versus Surge
Set versus Sit
Settlement Hierarchy: Isolated Dwelling vs Hamlet vs Village
Settlement Hierarchy 2: Town vs City vs Metropolis
Sew vs So vs Sow
Shake versus Sheik
Shall versus Will
Shears versus Sheers
Sheath versus Sheathe
Shimmer versus Shimmy
Shone vs Shined vs Shown
Shudder versus Shutter
Sic versus Sick
Sign versus Sine
Silicon versus Silicone
Simple versus Simplistic
Slack versus Slake
Slay vs Sleigh vs Sley
Sleigh vs Sleight vs Slight
Slew versus Slough
Snuggly versus Snugly
Soar versus Sore
Soared versus Sword
Sole versus Soul
Some Time vs Sometime vs Sometimes
Some versus Sum
Son versus Sun
Sooth versus Soothe
Speak versus Talk
Spec versus Speck
Spiel versus Spill
Staid versus Stayed
Stair versus Stare
Stake versus Steak
Stamp versus Stomp
Stanch versus Staunch
Stationary versus Stationery
Statue versus Statute
Steal versus Steel
Stent versus Stint
Step versus Steppe
Stock vs Stoke vs Stroke
Storey versus Story
Stow Away versus Stowaway
Straight versus Strait
Stratagem versus Strategy
Streams: Brook vs Burn vs Draw vs Lick
Stuff versus Things
Submerge versus Submerse
Substantial versus Substantive
Suit vs Suite vs Sweet
Suiter versus Suitor
Summary versus Summery
Sundae versus Sunday
Supposably versus Supposedly
Surely versus Surly
Swat versus Swot
Swath versus Swathe
Return to the Table of Contents
Tack versus Tact
Tail versus Tale
Taint versus Tint
Taken Aback versus Taken Back
Taper versus Tapir
Tartar vs Tartare vs Tarter
Taught vs Taut vs Tot
Team versus Teem
Tenant versus Tenet
Tenner versus Tenor
Tense versus Tents
Tern vs Terne vs Turn
Than versus Then
Thank-You versus Thank You
Their vs There vs They’re
There’s versus There’re
There In versus Therein
This (These) vs That (Those)
Though versus Thought
Threw versus Through
Throe versus Throw
Throne versus Thrown
Thyme versus Time
Tic versus Tick
Tide versus Tied
‘Til vs Till vs Until
Tilt vs Title vs Tittle
Timber versus Timbre
Tip Toe versus Tiptoe
To vs Too vs Two
Toe versus Tow
Tole versus Toll
Tool vs Tule vs Tulle
Tort versus Torte
Tortuous versus Torturous
Tousle versus Tussle
Toward versus Towards
Track versus Tract
Trail versus Trial
Transgress versus Transpire
Triannual versus Triennial
Triple vs Triplet vs Triplicate
Troop versus Troupe
Trussed versus Trust
Trustee versus Trusty
Tucks versus Tux
Turbid versus Turgid
Twat versus Twit
Twined versus Twinned
Return to the Table of Contents
Unconscionable versus Unconscious
Under Way vs Underway vs Under Weigh
Unexceptionable versus Unexceptional
Up On versus Upon
Upmost vs Uppermost vs Utmost
Upward versus Upwards
Use versus Utilize
Return to the Table of Contents
Vain vs Vane vs Vein
Vary versus Very
Venal versus Venial
Veracious versus Voracious
Verses vs Versus vs Vs.
Vial versus Vile
Vice versus Vise
Villain versus Villein
Viscose vs Vicious vs Viscous
Voilà (or Voila)
Return to the Table of Contents
Wade versus Weighed
Wae vs Way vs Weigh
Wail vs Wale vs Whale
Waist versus Waste
Wait versus Weight
Waive versus Wave
Waiver vs Wave vs Waver
Wander versus Wonder
Want vs Won’t vs Wont
Wanton versus Wonton
Ware vs Wear vs Were vs Where
Warn versus Worn
Warrantee versus Warranty
Warrior versus Worrier
Wary versus Weary
Watt versus What
We vs Wee vs Whee
We’re vs Were vs Where
We’ve versus Weave
Weak versus Week
Weald versus Wield
Weather vs Wether vs Whether
Well Being vs Well-Being vs Wellbeing
Wench vs Winch vs Wrench
Wet versus Whet
Whao vs Whoa vs Woah vs Woe
Which versus That
Which versus Witch
Whicker versus Wicker
While versus Whilst
Whinny versus Whiny
Whirl versus Whorl
Whither vs Wither vs Writhe
Who versus That
Who versus Whom
Who’s versus Whose
Whoever vs Whosoever vs Whomever vs Whosever
Whoop versus Whup
Widow versus Widower
Wind versus Wined
windbreaker versus Windbreaker
Wood versus Would
Work Out versus Workout
Wraith versus Wrath
Write vs Writing vs Written
Return to the Table of Contents
Return to the Table of Contents
Yinyang versus Ying yang
Yoke versus Yolk
Yore vs You’re vs Your
You and Its Plural
You’ll versus Yule
Youth versus Youths
Return to the Table of Contents
Anatomy of a Word Confusion
Each word includes:
- Which part of grammar it belongs to and a link to the grammar definition (in the Grammar Explanations section)
- A definition of the word
- Sentences provide examples of how each word is used in its various grammatical categories
- Verbals and derivatives
- The “History of the Word” is included as an aid for writers working on historical tales. Choose to use the olde version or not, how ever it may help deepen your story.
Pinterest Photo Credits
Problems, Problems… by Ion Chibzii, from Chisinau, Moldova, was taken sometime in the 1970s and is under the CC BY-SA 2.0 license, via Wikimedia Commons.
Revised as of 31 Oct 2024
By: Kathy Davie