English Vocabulary

Words causing confusion

Compliment (noun) – expression of approval, admiration etc.
Complement (noun) – that which makes something complete

• My compliments to your husband.
• The party must consist of fifty people. Here are forty. We need ten more to reach our complement.

Medal (noun) – flat piece of metal given as an award or made to commemorate an event
Meddle (verb) – interfere with other’s things

• He won the gold medal.
• Do not meddle with other people’s affairs.

Affect (verb) – have an effect on
Effect (noun) – result
Effect (verb) - bring about, cause to happen

• The climate affected his health.
• He was deeply affected by the sad news.
• Mongooses are not so much affected by cobra-bites as men are.
• The effect of cobra-bite on a man is often deadly.
• The new principal effected many changes in the college.

Prophesy (verb) – say what will happen in the future
Prophecy (noun) – power of telling what will happen in the future

• I prophesy that it will rain tomorrow.
• Did you hear my prophecy that it would rain tomorrow?

Stationary (adjective) – not moving or changing
Stationery (noun) - writing-materials

• When an object isn’t moving, it is stationary.
• Articles like writing paper, pencils and pens are called stationery.

Dependant (noun) – somebody who depends upon another for a home, food etc.
Dependent (adjective) – depending

• I have many dependants.
• Kids are usually dependent on their parents till they can earn enough to support themselves.

Licence (noun) – permission to do something
License (verb) – give permission to

• You must get a driving licence.
• This shop is licensed to sell tobacco.

Disease (noun) – illness of body, mind
Decease (noun) – death

• Cholera is a terrible disease.
• The deceased means the dead people.

Difference (noun)
Deference (noun) – respect

• There is no difference between this and that.
• He is very polite to his parents and treats them with great deference.

Assent (noun) – give one’s agreement to
Ascent (noun) – way up

• He gave his assent to the proposal.
• The temple is at the top of the hill and the ascent is very steep.

Illicit (adjective) – unlawful
Elicit (verb) – get an answer from somebody

• Liquor made without a licence is illicit.
• I asked him many questions to elicit what had really happened.

Get the latest updates

 Subscribe in a reader