Commonly Confused Words

Words can be tricky things; it is relatively easy to say certain words and be perfectly understood, yet it can be harder to write those same words in a sentence with similar success.

When we speak, we usually do not take notice of the subtle similarities that some words have, we rely on the listener to interpret the meaning by understanding the context of the conversation. This is why puns work, whether they are good or bad, clever or forced, they play on the relationships of words; their similar sounds or written appearance creating (often) unexpected, humorous double meanings.

This is also the reason why the meaning of some words are mistaken for others. We may have heard a word used in a certain context and not realised there is another with a slightly different spelling. Although this word might sound the same when spoken, it will have a different meaning or make no sense when written for someone to read.

During a conversation it is highly unlikely that a person will interrogate the speaker about the spelling of the words they have just said. For example, we do not ask someone if what they just said was spelled with one “o” or two, or whether it starts with the letter “a” or “e”. We do not demand to know if they have said the correct spelling, or if they are aware of similar words with different meanings. We forgive people errors in speech far more easily than we do in writing. I am certain the same keyboard grammar warriors that busily correct spelling and apostrophe use in online comments sections, do not apply such self-righteous diligence to speech. Or at least, I would hope not for their sake.

We decipher verbal meaning from multiple sources: context, facial expression, gestures, subtle intonation of voice and if we still do not understand, we have the luxury of asking the speaker for more information. But we decipher written meaning from only one source—the words in front of us—and we usually do not have the option of asking the writer for more.

This is why we are less forgiving with writing than with speech, it must convey the thoughts and ideas of an absent person. To be effective, it must be complete and clear before reaching a reader’s eyes. Mistakes or confusing words will weaken a reader’s relationship with the text and if meaning is lost, then so is the reason for writing it in the first place.

Below are some words that when spoken are largely indistinguishable, but when written, the subtle change of spelling can cause problems for the intended meaning of a sentence. It is by no means an exhaustive list, but if you want to find out more about the differences between them, just click!

• Accept and except

• Affect and effect

• There, their and they’re

• Your, you’re (and yore)

• To, too and two

• Its and It’s

• Passed and Past

• Farther and further

• Complement and compliment

• Illicit and elicit

• Lose and loose

What do you think are the most commonly confused words?

• 0%Affect and effect
• 0%There, their and they’re
• 0%To, too and two
• 0%Its and it's

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