Category: Commonly Confused Vocabulary
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Devise vs Device (Commonly Confused)
Devise vs Device These two terms are often confused by English learners. Do you know the difference? Devise A verb meaning to invent or place “He’s good at devising games to play with students” “The government has devised a plan to vaccinate everyone” Device A noun referring to a technique, method, tool, small machine, or […]
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Raise vs Raze (Commonly Confused)
Raise vs Raze These two terms are often confused by English learners. Do you know the difference? Raise To raise means to lift something to a higher position or to build something upright “If you have a question please raise your hands!” “The government plans to raise taxes!” Raze To raze something is to tear […]
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Systematic vs Systemic (Commonly Confused)
Systematic vs Systemic These two terms are often confused by English learners. Do you know the difference? Systematic Something described as systematic uses/follows a system or organized method “Employees should make a systematic analysis of their failures” “There are reports of the systematic mistreatment of prisoners in that prison” Systemic Something described as systemic is […]
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Intra- vs Inter- (Commonly Confused)
Intra- vs Inter- These two terms are often confused by English learners. Do you know the difference? Intra- A prefix meaning “within” (a group or place) Her marriage caused an intra-family conflict Intra-European trade is made easier by the EU Inter A prefix meaning among or between (people, things, places) The UN is an international […]
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Fair vs Fare (Commonly Confused)
Fair vs Fare! Fair has quite a few different meanings. It is a noun referring to large public events. It is an adjective/adverb meaning light colored. It also refers to treating people equally without discrimination, and can be used as an adverb meaning ‘to a high degree.’ “It’s not fair to blame me for everything” […]
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Moral vs Morale (Commonly Confused)
Moral vs Morale! These two terms are often confused by English learners. Do you know the difference? Moral refers to the behavior most people consider to be correct and honest “It is your moral obligation to tell the truth” “He has been criticized for his morals!” Morale is amount of confidence and satisfaction a person […]
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Break vs Brake (Commonly Confused)
Break vs Brake These two words are often confused by English learners. Do you know the difference? Break To break means to cause something to stop working or separate into separate into pieces “I broke my arm last week” “How did you break your phone? The screen broke when I dropped it” Brake To brake […]
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Preposition vs Proposition (Commonly Confused)
Preposition vs Proposition These two terms are often confused by English learners. Do you know the difference? A preposition is a word used before a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun. It helps to give meaning to the sentence (location, direction, time, etc). The key is in the box on the shelf, by the picture frame […]
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Whether vs If (Commonly Confused)
Whether vs If! These two terms are often confused by English learners. Do you know the difference? Check out my PODCAST!! Why not support Thinking in English? Do you want to Think in English? I’m so excited that you found my blog and podcast!! If you don’t want to miss an article or an episode, […]
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Desperate vs Disparate (Commonly Confused)
Desperate vs Disparate! These two terms are often confused by English learners. Do you know the difference? Desperate is an adjective that is used to describe a very bad or serious situation. It also means that you want or need something very much! “I’m desperate for help!” Disparate means different in every way possible. “They […]
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