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Common Confusions in the English Language

Written by Yeisha Descalzo and Rachel Catanyag

This topic is somehow funny, but also one of the most concerning and controversial to hear and to know from people using the English Language. I have observed some of these common confusions with the said language.

1. Quite vs quiet

The word 'quite' is used to refer to the utmost degree or completely. The word 'quiet' means to make no or little noise, i.e., being noiseless and discreet.

2. Affect vs. Effect

Affect is usually used as a verb meaning “to influence or produce a change in something.” Effect is generally used as a noun, and refers to the result of a change, but it's sometimes used as a verb meaning “to bring about a specific change.”

3. Altogether vs. "All together"

Altogether means “completely,” “all things considered,” or “on the whole.” All together means “everyone together” or “everything together.”

4. Apart vs. "A part"

Apart implies a separation between things (they are away from one another), and a part denotes that a thing is a share of another, bigger thing (there's togetherness going on).

5. Desert vs. Dessert

Desert, spelled with one S, refers to a dry region. Dessert, spelled with two S's, refers to a sweet dish eaten after a meal. Sometimes, though, desert is an entirely different word referring to what you deserve, especially in the phrase just deserts.

6. Diffuse vs. Defuse

Diffuse can be used as a verb meaning "to spread out" or an adjective meaning "not concentrated." It is often confused with defuse, which can only be a verb. The original meaning of defuse was "to take the fuse off a bomb," but the word now usually means "to make less dangerous or tense."

7. Map vs mop

A mop (such as a floor mop) is a mass or bundle of coarse strings or yarn, etc., or a piece of cloth, sponge, or other absorbent material, attached to a pole or stick. It is used to soak up liquid, for cleaning floors and other surfaces, to mop up dust, or for other cleaning purposes. Map is the shortened term referring to a two-dimensional representation of the surface of the world.

8. Were vs. We’re vs. Where vs. Wear

Where is most commonly used as an adverb to define a location or position. It can also be used informally as a conjunction in place of the words "that" or "whereas." We're is a contraction of "we are." Where is most commonly used as an adverb to define a location or position. Wear is a verb and a noun. As a verb, it can mean "to bear or decorate on a body," as in "to wear clothes," or it can mean "to break something down over time," as in "to wear down during a physical activity."

9. Pore vs. Pour

A pore is small opening in a surface that lets stuff through. To pour, on the other hand, means to flow continuously and rapidly.

10. Lie vs. Lay

Lay means "to place something down flat," while lie means "to be in a flat position on a surface."

11. Lose vs. Loose

Lose typically functions only as a verb, with meanings related to failing to win or hold onto something; one might “lose a game” or “lose one's temper.” Loose can be used as an adjective ("not securely attached"), a verb ("to free something or someone"), and less commonly, a noun or adverb.

12. Your and you're

"Your" indicates possession (e.g., "Your book"), while "you're" is a contraction of "you are" (e.g., "You're going to the party").

13. There, Their, and They're

"There" indicates location (e.g., "Over there"), "their" shows possession (e.g., "Their house"), and "they're" is a contraction of "they are" (e.g. "They're coming").

14. Its and It's

"Its" denotes possession by "it" (e.g., "The dog wagged its tail"), while "it's" is a contraction of "it is" (e.g., "It's raining").

15. To, Too, and Two

"To" is a preposition or infinitive marker (e.g., "Go to the store"), "too" means "also" or "excessively" (e.g., "I want to go too"), and "two" is the number 2.

16. Accept and Except

Accept is a verb meaning to receive or agree to. Except is usually a preposition meaning aside from or excluding.

17. Bring and Take

Use “bring” if the action is directed toward you. Use “take” if the action is away from you.

18. Censor(v) and Censure

To censor is to suppress objectionable subject matter, while to censure is to criticize strongly or disapprove.

19. Conscience and Conscious

Conscience is a noun referring to a sense of right and wrong, while conscious is an adjective meaning awake or aware.

20. Continuous and Continual

Continuous means constant, without interruption, while continual means recurring or frequently repeated.

Understanding these distinctions can help improve communication and prevent misunderstandings.

Above everything, these confusions and mistakes can still be corrected as long as the person is willing to be corrected and has the desire to be better in the language, and especially, when a person is really interested to excel in using the language.

References: 1. 'Lose' or 'Loose'? 2. How to Use 'Lay' and 'Lie' 3. pore/pour 4. Mop vs. Map 5. 'Diffuse' vs. 'Defuse' 6. “Desert” vs. “Dessert”: When To Use Each One 7. When to use apart 8. Altogether vs. All Together 9. “Affect” vs. “Effect”: What’s the Difference? 10. Difference between Quite and Quiet 11. Advance vs. Advanced 12. Common Confused Words