Accent usually describes how people pronounce words of a language different from their mother tongue. It reveals one’s place of origin. Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks English with an Austrian accent. Dialect is usually spoken by people who live in a certain region of a country. Dialects have distinctive vocabulary, pronunciation, intonation, and grammar. She spoke the language […]
Category: Confusing Words
Accede vs Concede vs Exceed
Accede means to take a position of authority or to yield. Concede means to accept reluctantly. Exceed means to surpass.
Abuse vs Misuse
Abuse means to use something badly or wrongly. I hope Frank doesn’t abuse the new car his parents bought him. Misuse means to use something for which it was not intended. The students often misuse the school computers to play games.
Abundant vs Fulsome
Abundant refers to something profuse or of great quantity. She received abundant praise for her work with the deaf. Fulsome refers to something so excessive it causes offense or disgust. Unfortunately, the host gave the speaker a fulsome introduction.
Abstruse vs Obtuse
Abstruse means complex, deep, or difficult to understand.
Abstractedly vs Abstractly
Abstractedly means not paying attention, preoccupied, or removed.
Abstemious vs Abstinent
Abstemious means eating or drinking in moderation. Barb’s abstemious habits probably ensure her a longer life. Abstinent means abstaining from something (food, drink, etc.). The young men pledge to remain abstinent until age 21.
Abridged vs Expurgated vs Unabridged
Unabridged means in its full length or original content.
About vs Approximately vs Around
About refers to a rough estimate.
Abnormal vs Subnormal
Abnormal means deviating from the average.
Abjure vs Adjure
Abjure means to recant, renounce, or repudiate something.
Ability vs Capacity
Ability refers to the power to do something.