COMMON ERRORS-Words Differentiation-2011

This article was written by Benyamin Siran
May 13, 2010

There are many words in English which have close meanings to each other and its always hard (specially for non-native English learners) to recognize and choose when to use them. Here are some definitions & differences about some mysterious words that are so similar.



‘lie’ or ‘lay’
lie : to rest; to recline


Example: If I lie down in the afternoon, I soon fall asleep.

Example: There were many other people who were lying in the park.

Example: When I came in she was lying on the sofa fast asleep.
lay : to place; to put in a certain position

Example: If you lay the table, I shall make the tea.

Example: She laid her book on the bedside table and went to sleep.



‘lose’ or ‘loose’

lose: to fail to keep or find; to be deprived of


Example: If you lose your book you must get a new one.

Example: If we lose another match we will not qualify for the finals.

loose: free; untied; not fastened; not controlled

Example: They dared not go in because the dog was loose.

Example: When the birds were let loose they flew immediately to the nearest tree.

Example: She has a very loose tongue. She told everyone my secret.



‘mature’ or ‘matured’

mature fully grown and developed; ripe

Example: At sixteen he is not mature enough to live alone.

Example: University students are usually mature enough to manage their own lives.

Example: The picked the mature fruit from the tree and took it home.

matured: of wine, vinegar, etc; undergone the maturing process.

Example:The wine was matured in casks for six years.

Example: Before it is ready to drink the wine is matured in large barrels for several years.



‘misused’ or ‘disused’

misused: treated badly or in an incorrect manner

Example: The calculator broke because it had been misused
Example: The photocopying machine had been misused for so long that it finally broke down.

disused: no longer used


Example: After a search of two hours, they came across the disused tin-mine.

Example: The lost child was finally found in a disused warehouse near the river.

Example: Many learner drivers had their first lessons at a disused airport five minutes out of town.




‘moral’ or ‘morale’

moral: concerning what is right and wrong, ethical, virtuous


Example: The moral lessons taught at school, guide our pupils in their life.

Example: From a moral point of view it is difficult to defend his actions.

Example: Our moral education begins from the day we are born.

morale: state of mind, spirit, attitude

Example:The victory over Manchester United boosted the morale of Chelsea team.

Example: The morale of the invading army was very high after a number of successful battles.



‘persecuted’ or ‘prosecuted’

persecuted: treated cruelly especially because of religious, political beliefs

Example:The Jews were persecuted by Hitler.

Example:Throughout history, religious minorities have been persecuted and bullied.

prosecuted: have legal proceedings against one, be taken to court

Example: He was prosecuted for speeding.

Example: What a week ! After the shock of the accident and the cost of repairs he was then prosecuted for dangerous driving.

Example:Though the police were aware of the gang leader’s activities, it was a long time before he was prosecuted fro drug smuggling.



‘personal’ or ‘personnel’

personal: private, individual

Example: Apart from problems at work she has many personal difficulties too.

Example: He does not like people asking about his personal affairs.

personnel: staff, persons in a company or the armed forces

Example: If you want the job, apply direct to the personnel officer.

Example: All company personnel are asked to assemble in the conference room at five in the evening.



‘precede’ or ‘proceed’

precede: to come or go before in time or order


Example: There is often a period of calm which precedes a storm.

Example: On Monday mornings English always precedes Psychology.

proceed: to go forward, to go on

Example: When they reached the jungle, they had to proceed on foot.

Example: They are not willing to proceed with the purchase of the house until they have seen the documents.

Example: I will proceed with my work only if you are willing to help me.



‘price’ or ‘prize’

price: cost, amount needed to buy something; loss or suffering to attain something


Example: The price of quality goods is high.

Example: What is the price of the pair of shoes in the window ?

Example: There is a price to pay when one is a famous film star.

prize: an award given for winning a competition, lottery, etc.

Example: She won the third prize in the essay competition.

Example: He spent all the prize money he won in the lottery on a new car.



‘principal’ or ‘principle’

principal: chief, main; a head of college or organization; a sum of money


Example:My principal aim is to become a lawyer.

Example:After teaching for twenty years he became the principal of a private college.

Example:If you leave a principal of $50,000 on fixed deposit you will earn a good interest every month.

principle: a basic truth, a law of nature; a rule of behavior

Example: He based his life on a few simple principles.

Example: The underlying principle of his management style is compassion.

Example: This machine works on the same principle as the motor car engine.



’stationary’ or ’stationery’

stationary: not moving


Example: He hit a motor-cyclist then collided with a stationary bus.

Example: When learning to shoot we begin with a stationary target before we try to hit a moving target.

stationery: writing materials

Example: I buy all my stationery from the bookstore next door.

Example: The manager was angry because his staff took office stationery for their personal use.

Example: If you need pens and pencils, you will find them in the stationery department.


‘Able’ or ‘Capable’
able - if someone or something is able to do something, they have skills or qualities which make it possible for them to do it.
capable – if a person or thing is capable of doing something, they have the ability, capacity, or potential to do it.

The different usage between able and capable is ‘ able ‘ has a broader meaning in one’s ability but ‘ capable ‘ shows one’s ability in a more specialized aspect.

Example: She is an able teacher. ( She is a teacher with quality )
Example: She is a capable teacher. ( She has the ability to be a teacher )

Capable also shows a sense of possibility whereas there is no such usage with able.

The situation is capable of improvement.

(In this situation, we can’t replace capable with able to show the possibility for improvement.)
Ability can be acquired through a series of training, but capability has nothing to do with training.

Example: I do not doubt his ability to do the work.



‘Eligible‘ or ‘Illegible’



eligible : suitable, worthy

Example: She is looking for an eligible bachelor for her daughter.
Example: All Malaysian citizens of twenty-one years and above are eligible to vote.
illegible – too unclear to be read

Example: He had to type his work since his writing was illegible.

Example: The signature on the medical certificate was illegible.



‘Eminent’ or ‘Imminent’
eminent - prominent, distinguished, famous

Example: His operation was carried out by an eminent surgeon.
Examples: An eminent scientist has made a breakthrough in the field of nuclear physics.
imminent – about to take place

Example: As the sky grew darker, a storm seemed imminent.

Example: The imminent arrival of the guest made everyone a little nervous.

Example: There was little hope of his living and his imminent death made everyone feel sad.



‘Ensure’ or ‘Assure’
ensure - to make sure; to make sure something will happen

Example: The medicine will ensure you a good night’s rest.
Example: You must always ensure that all doors and grilles are locked before going to bed.
assure – to inform confidently, to promise, to persuade

Example: I assure you the medicine will work.

Example: He hastened to assure the hotel guests that the water shortage would not affect them.



‘Formally’ or ‘Formerly’
formally – ceremonially, according to custom

Example: She was formally crowned Miss World last night.
Example: The exhibition was formally opened by the Minister of Education.
formerly – previously, in earlier times

Example: He was formerly the Prime Minister of Russia.

Example: East Timor was formerly part of Indonesia.

Example: Muhammad Ali was formerly known as Cassius Clay.



‘Historic’ or ‘Historical’
historic: important in history

Example: Welcome to historic Melaka.

Example: Independence Day is a historic day for any nation.

Example: When man first landed on the moon it was considered a feat of historic importance.
historical: concerning history as a subject


Example: He is a member of the National Historical Society.

Example: She really loves reading historical novels about 18th century Europe.



‘Homework’ or ‘Housework’
homework: studies carried out at home in preparation for school

Example: He forgot to do his Maths homework.

Example: In addition to a full day’s lessons. pupils have quite a lot of homework to do at night.

Example: She looks forward to the school holidays and a rest from lessons, teachers and homework.
housework – domestic work, household chores


Example: She doesn’t mind doing all housework but ironing.

Example: It is not fair to let Mother do all the housework, so we try to help her when we can.




‘Human’ or ‘Humane’
human: pertaining to man

Example: There is no finer musical instrument than the human voice.

Example: He decided to major in the Human Sciences.
humane - merciful, showing human kindness


Example: Society today tries to be more humane than in the past.

Example: Some argue that capital punishment is more humane than life imprisonment.


to see vs. to watch:

To see means to be aware of what is around you by using your eyes.
For example:”I can see the smoke from here.”

To watch means to look at something for a period of time,especially Something that is changing or moving.
For example:”I watched the cricket.”

Note: We watch things that move,such as TV,a film,sport. We look

At static things,such as a photograph,a painting,the stars.


Shortage vs. shortness:

Shortage is a noun meaning when there is not enough of something.
For example:”There is a shortage of skilled workers in the industry.”

Shortness is also a noun meaning the condition of being short spatially.
For example:”Shortness in children and young adults nearly always

Results from below-average growth in childhood.”


so vs. such:

So when used as in front of an adjective or an adverbs means very.
For example:”My English teacher is so patient.She teaches us so well.”

Such when used as a determiner can be used before a noun to show extremes,you can not use it before adverb.
For example:”She is such a patient teacher.”

Note: Remember that without the noun you need to use “so.”

Such + a + patient + teacher + so + patient


That,which,who:

Who (or whom) is a pronoun,and is used as the subject or object of a verb to show which person you are referring to,or to add information about a person just mentioned. It is used for people,

not things.

Which is a pronoun ,and is used as the subject or object of a verb to show what thing or things you are referring to,or to add information about the thing just mentioned. It is used for things not people.

That is a pronoun ,and is used as the subject or object of a verb to show which person or thing you are referring to,or to add information about a person or thing just mentioned.It can be used for people and things. It can sometimes be omitted.

Example:
The girl who was hungry.
The boy whom I talked to.
The dog that wagged its tail.
The software(that)I WROTE.
The company which/that hired me.












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