{"id":101,"date":"2016-04-29T01:23:35","date_gmt":"2016-04-29T01:23:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/denisemcinerney.com\/wp16\/?page_id=101"},"modified":"2016-04-29T15:26:51","modified_gmt":"2016-04-29T15:26:51","slug":"frequently-confused-words","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/denisemcinerney.com\/wp16\/index.php\/frequently-confused-words\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Confused Words"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Frequently Confused Words<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Tricky Top Twenty<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

I see the following orthographic tricksters confused so often, I\u2019ve awarded them a place on my own Top Twenty List of Misused Words.\u00a0 <\/em>For ease of reference, the words are listed in alphabetical order.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

1. bare\/bear - <\/strong>These two short words cause an inordinate amount of confusion. The verb form of bear<\/em><\/strong> has so many uses, I\u2019ve placed examples at the end of this list.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

2. clothes\/cloths<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Clothes -- what you wear; garment<\/span><\/p>\n

Cloths \u2013 pieces of fabric<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

3. compliment\/complement<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

compliment \u2013 praise, expression of admiration<\/span><\/p>\n

complement \u2013 something that fills up or makes complete<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

4. dessert\/desert<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

dessert \u2013 ice cream, cake, pudding or other sweet<\/span><\/p>\n

desert \u2013 \u00a0arid land where ice cream might taste refreshing!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

5. discreet\/discrete<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

discreet \u2013 modest or prudent behavior; unobtrusive<\/span><\/p>\n

discrete \u2013 constituting a separate entity; individually distinct<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

6. effect\/affect<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

effect \u2013 (verb) to cause, to make happen<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>\u00a0(noun) a result or impact of something; an outcome<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

affect \u2013 (verb) to influence something or<\/u> to put on a pretense<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0(noun) an emotional response<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

7. elicit\/illicit<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

elicit \u2013 to draw out<\/span><\/p>\n

illicit \u2013 unlawful, forbidden<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

8. emigrate\/immigrate<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

emigrate \u2013 leave one\u2019s county<\/span><\/p>\n

immigrate \u2013 settle in a new country<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

9. eminent\/imminent<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

eminent \u2013 prominent; conspicuous \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

imminent \u2013 about to happen<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

10. envelop\/envelope<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

envelop \u2013 (verb) to cover or surround completely<\/span><\/p>\n

envelope \u2013 (noun) container for a letter; something that envelops<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

11. figuratively\/literally<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

figuratively \u2013 metaphorically or symbolically<\/span><\/p>\n

literally \u2013 exactly; without exaggeration; something that actually happened<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

[We often see literally<\/em> used as an intensifier, like the word very<\/em>, to gain emphasis.<\/em>\u00a0 But this is generally considered to be incorrect usage.]<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

12. imply\/infer<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

imply \u2013 suggest or express indirectly<\/span><\/p>\n

infer \u2013 draw a conclusion; deduce<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

13. insight\/incite<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

insight \u2013 discernment; the act of apprehending the inner nature of things<\/span><\/p>\n

incite \u2013 spur to action; instigate<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

14. lightening\/lightning<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

lightening \u2013 the relieving of a burden, weight or problem<\/span><\/p>\n

lightning \u2013 electrical discharge released during a storm<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

15. metal\/mettle<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

metal \u2013 a substance that is primarily hard, opaque, and has good conductivity.<\/span><\/p>\n

mettle \u2013 courage; vigor and strength of spirit or temperament<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

16. nauseous\/nauseated<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

nauseous \u2013 to cause nausea<\/span><\/p>\n

nauseated - to feel nausea<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

17. peak\/peek\/pique<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

peak \u2013 highest point; maximum<\/span><\/p>\n

peek \u2013 (verb) to look furtively; (noun) a brief glance<\/span><\/p>\n

pique \u2013 a transient feeling of wounded vanity<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

18. pray\/prey<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

pray \u2013 entreat, implore; to address God or a god in word or thought<\/span><\/p>\n

prey \u2013 (noun) an animal or person killed or harmed by another animal or person<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (verb) to hunt\/kill an animal\/person; to harm, cheat, steal from a person<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

To fall prey to<\/strong><\/span><\/u> means to be harmed or affected in a bad way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

19. principal\/principle<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

principal \u2013 chief or main; non-interest part of a loan<\/span><\/p>\n

principle \u2013 fundamental rule or code<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

20. rein\/reign\/rain <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

rein \u2013 (verb) to guide or control<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (noun) strap used to guide or control a horse<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

To give free rein<\/strong><\/span><\/u> \u2013 give freedom to make their own way<\/span><\/p>\n

To keep under a tight rein<\/strong><\/span><\/u> \u2013 to watch or carefully control<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

reign \u2013 (verb) to rule as a monarch<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (noun) a monarch\u2019s exercise of power or period of rule<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

rain \u2013 (noun) condensed moisture falling separately in drops<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (verb) to fall as water in drops from clouds; to fall like rain; to pour down or<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 give abundantly<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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\n\t

<\/span><\/p>\n

Bare vs Bear<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 If you \u201cgrin and bare it\u201d in a public place, you might be arrested!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve yet to see the noun<\/u> form of bear <\/em><\/strong>(relatives of Yogi, Smokey and Pooh) <\/em>used incorrectly. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

But the verb<\/u> form of bear<\/em><\/strong><\/span> and the adjective\/transitive verb<\/u> bare<\/em><\/strong> are frequently interchanged, often with comic consequences.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

A good rule of thumb for deciding which word to use is this: bare<\/em><\/strong><\/span> is generally used to imply exposure or uncovering, or a condition of lack.\u00a0 <\/span>He bared<\/strong><\/span> his soul.\u00a0 The cupboard was bare<\/strong>. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The verb<\/u> bear<\/em><\/strong>,<\/span> however, has a multitude of meanings, none of which require nudity of the physical, mental or emotional sort.\u00a0 Here are a few:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 a. \u00a0to hold up under\/be capable of: <\/span>Her excuse didn\u2019t bear<\/strong><\/span> close scrutiny.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 b. \u00a0support\/carry: <\/span>The thin pond ice will not bear<\/strong><\/span> his weight.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 c. \u00a0to hold or carry oneself\/one\u2019s body: <\/span>She bears<\/strong><\/span> herself like a queen.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 d. \u00a0give birth to or produce by natural growth: <\/span>A woman bears<\/strong><\/span> a<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 child and a vine bears<\/strong><\/span> fruit<\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 e. \u00a0to move or go in a direction:<\/span> Please bear<\/strong><\/span> left at the fork in the road.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 f. \u00a0press or weigh down: Bear<\/em><\/strong> down on the accelerator now!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 g. \u00a0to strive toward: <\/span>We must all bear<\/strong><\/span> down on the task at hand.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 h. \u00a0substantiate: <\/span>The facts don\u2019t bear<\/strong> out Tom\u2019s claim.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 i. \u00a0to endure: <\/span>Nellie always bears<\/strong><\/span> up well under pressure.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0 j. show patience: <\/span>Please bear<\/strong><\/span> with me.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Frequently Confused WordsThe Tricky Top Twenty\u00a0I see the following orthographic tricksters confused so often, I\u2019ve awarded them a place on my own Top Twenty List of Misused Words.\u00a0 For ease of reference, the words are listed in alphabetical order.\u00a01. bare\/bear – These two short words cause an inordinate amount of confusion. The verb form of Read More …<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"full-width-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-101","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/denisemcinerney.com\/wp16\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/101","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/denisemcinerney.com\/wp16\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/denisemcinerney.com\/wp16\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/denisemcinerney.com\/wp16\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/denisemcinerney.com\/wp16\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=101"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"http:\/\/denisemcinerney.com\/wp16\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/101\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":146,"href":"http:\/\/denisemcinerney.com\/wp16\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/101\/revisions\/146"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/denisemcinerney.com\/wp16\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=101"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}