English is said to be a very tricky language. Though the words help make some beautiful stories and verses, the words are often spelled wrong or misused. There are many words that sound the same but mean completely different things. This article features the most frequently misused and mispronounced words so that you don’t have your bosses, teachers or editors complaining about your grammatical errors.
ACCEPT and EXCEPT
To “accept” is a verb. It has several meanings:
The word accept, means to receive something or to agree and give your consent to some terms. It also means to hold something as true, respond positively and to take up responsibility.
An example of the word in a sentence is-
“I accept your terms and conditions.”
“I accept your apology.”
The word “except” is most commonly seen as a preposition. It can also be used as a conjunction.
The word means to exclude or can be used in place of words like “but” or “leaving out”. In conjunction form it is usually always used after the word only (only; with the exception)
An example of the word in a sentence is-
“Everybody was there except me.”
“I can resist everything except temptation.”
AFFECT and EFFECT
The word “affect” is a verb.
It means to influence something or somebody.
An example of the word in a sentence is-
“The heavy rains affected the crops.”
“Climate change will affect our lives.”
The word “effect” is a noun.
It means the result or consequence of some event.
An example of the word in a sentence is-
“The effect of the internet on youth.”
“This might have a huge effect on you.”
ANYWAY and ANYWAYS
The word “anyways” is wrong. It is not used as it is a slang. Therefore, the correct word is “anyway”.
APPOSE and OPPOSE
To “appose” means to place side by side or in close proximity.
“Gaps then appear in the apposed surfaces”
To “oppose” means to be against or to resist.
“She opposed the orders of the king”
LOSE and LOOSE
The word “lose” is a verb.
It means the opposite of winning and also means to misplace an item.
Examples of this word in a sentence-
“I lost a coin in my room”
“Anita hurt her knee last night. I think she will lose the race.”
The word “loose” is an adjective.
It means not bound together.
An example sentence for this word is-
“The trousers were loose for Amit.”
PRINCIPAL and PRINCIPLE
The word “principle” is a noun.
It means fundamentals and laws.
The word “principal” is an adjective.
It means the highest rank.
THEIR and THERE
The word “their” refers to an item belonging to a group of people.
Example- Their house is in Germany.
The word “there” means the location of an object.
Example- The book is there on top of the desk.
WEATHER and WHETHER
The word “Weather” means the temperature and conditions of a place.
Example- The weather is sunny today.
The word “Whether” introduces choices.
Example- I don’t know whether to study or play.