This document discusses commonly confused words in the English language. It identifies four main categories of confused words: 1) homophones that sound the same but have different meanings, 2) etymological/functional variations that come from the same root but have different parts of speech or meanings, 3) transcriptions of colloquialisms that are spelled how they sound in dialects but are different words, and 4) antonyms that are opposite in meaning but not spelling or pronunciation. Examples are provided for each category to illustrate words that are often mixed up.

3. Introduction
In the English language there are some words that
are spelled differently but sound exactly the same,
and there are some words that are spelled the
same but are pronounced differently.
Then, there are those words that do not share the
same spelling or pronunciation but are often
confused.
These are your commonly confused words.

4. Varieties of
Commonly Confused Words
1. Homophones
2. Etymological / functional variations
3. Transcriptions of colloquialisms
4. Antonyms

5. Homophones – words that sound alike but
have different meanings
To, too, two
Their, there, they’re
Cite, site, sight
Principal, principle
Right, write, rite, wright

6. Etymological/functional variations – words that come from
the same root but have evolved toward differing parts
of speech or meaning
Affect, effect
Quote, quotation
Advice, advise
Conscience, conscious
Proceed, precede
Accept, except
Credible, credulous
VERB ADJECTIVE
NOUN
ROOT

7. Transcriptions of colloquialisms
Ideal for idea
Suppose to for supposed to
Use to for used to
Ever for every
Cause for‘cause (because)
Words that are spelled as they sound in oral dialect or imprecisely
but are actually spellings of different words

8. Antonyms
Infer for imply
Literally for figuratively
Can’t hardly for can hardly
Words that are not spelled or pronounced similarly at all but are
opposite in meaning.
Oddly enough, many speakers and writers confuse such words because
they are related in their minds but may have opposite definitions.

9. There = where? here?
Their = they own it
They’re = they are
Ways to Remember
Whose → those
Who’s = who is