Confusing words

flammable / inflammable

These two words are actually synonyms, both meaning easily set on fire. The highly flammable (inflammable) fuel was stored safely in a specially built tank. Use nonflammable to mean not flammable.

flaunt / flout

To flaunt means to show off shamelessly: “Eager to flaunt her knowledge of a wide range of topics, Helene dreamed of appearing on a TV trivia show.” To flout means to show scorn or contempt for: “Lewis disliked boarding school and took every opportunity to flout the house rules.”

hanged / hung

Hanged is the past tense and past participle of hang when the meaning is to execute by suspending by the neck: “They hanged the prisoner for treason.” “The convicted killer was hanged at dawn.” Hung is the past tense and participle of hang when the meaning is to suspend from above with no support from below: “I hung the painting on the wall.” “The painting was hung at a crooked angle.”

historic / historical

In general usage, historic refers to what is important in history, while historical applies more broadly to whatever existed in the past whether it was important or not: “a historic summit meeting between the prime ministers;” “historical buildings torn down in the redevelopment.”

i.e. / e.g.

The abbreviation e.g. means for example (from Latin exempli gratia): “Her talents were legion and varied (e.g., deep sea diving, speed reading, bridge, and tango dancing).” The abbreviation i.e. means that is or in other words (from Latin id est):“The joy of my existence (i.e., my stamp collection) imbues my life with meaning.”

stationary / stationery

Stationary is an adjective that means fixed or unmoving: “They maneuvered around the stationary barrier in the road.”Stationery is a noun that means writing materials: “We printed the letters on company stationery.”

Confusing words

flammable / inflammable

These two words are actually synonyms, both meaning easily set on fire. The highly flammable (inflammable) fuel was stored safely in a specially built tank. Use nonflammable to mean not flammable.

flaunt / flout

To flaunt means to show off shamelessly: “Eager to flaunt her knowledge of a wide range of topics, Helene dreamed of appearing on a TV trivia show.” To flout means to show scorn or contempt for: “Lewis disliked boarding school and took every opportunity to flout the house rules.”

hanged / hung

Hanged is the past tense and past participle of hang when the meaning is to execute by suspending by the neck: “They hanged the prisoner for treason.” “The convicted killer was hanged at dawn.” Hung is the past tense and participle of hang when the meaning is to suspend from above with no support from below: “I hung the painting on the wall.” “The painting was hung at a crooked angle.”

historic / historical

In general usage, historic refers to what is important in history, while historical applies more broadly to whatever existed in the past whether it was important or not: “a historic summit meeting between the prime ministers;” “historical buildings torn down in the redevelopment.”

i.e. / e.g.

The abbreviation e.g. means for example (from Latin exempli gratia): “Her talents were legion and varied (e.g., deep sea diving, speed reading, bridge, and tango dancing).” The abbreviation i.e. means that is or in other words (from Latin id est):“The joy of my existence (i.e., my stamp collection) imbues my life with meaning.”

stationary / stationery

Stationary is an adjective that means fixed or unmoving: “They maneuvered around the stationary barrier in the road.”Stationery is a noun that means writing materials: “We printed the letters on company stationery.”

Confusing words

incredible	astonishing Example: Her gymnastic moves were incredible.
incredulous	skeptical Example: Citizens are incredulous about the reason for the increase in the price of gas.

Confusing words

incredible	astonishing Example: Her gymnastic moves were incredible.
incredulous	skeptical Example: Citizens are incredulous about the reason for the increase in the price of gas.

Confusing Words

continual	repeated but with breaks in between; chronic Example: The continual problem of our car not starting forced us to sell it.
continuous different from vs. different than vs. differently than	without interruption in an unbroken stream of time or space Example: The continuous dripping of the faucet drove me crazy. Rule. Use different from not different than. Example: The weather was different from what we expected. You may use differently than when a clause precedes and follows the expression. Example: He works differently than she does.

Confusing Words

continual	repeated but with breaks in between; chronic Example: The continual problem of our car not starting forced us to sell it.
continuous different from vs. different than vs. differently than	without interruption in an unbroken stream of time or space Example: The continuous dripping of the faucet drove me crazy. Rule. Use different from not different than. Example: The weather was different from what we expected. You may use differently than when a clause precedes and follows the expression. Example: He works differently than she does.

Confusing Words

all together	refers to a group; all of us or all of them together Example: It is wonderful to be all together to celebrate your birthday.
altogether	entirely Example: It is not altogether his fault.

Confusing Words

all together	refers to a group; all of us or all of them together Example: It is wonderful to be all together to celebrate your birthday.
altogether	entirely Example: It is not altogether his fault.

Misused Words

discreet / discrete
Discreet is an adjective that means prudent, circumspect, or modest: “Her discreet handling of the touchy situation put him at ease.” Discrete is an adjective that means separate or individually distinct: “Each company in the conglomerate operates as a discrete entity.”
few / less
Few is an adjective that means small in number. It is used with countable objects: “This department has few employees.”Less is an adjective that means small in amount or degree. It is used with objects of indivisible mass: “Which jar holds less water?”
disinterested / uninterested

Disinterested is an adjective that means unbiased or impartial: “We appealed to the disinterested mediator to facilitate the negotiations.” Uninterested is an adjective that means not interested or indifferent: “They seemed uninterested in our offer

Misused Words

discreet / discrete
Discreet is an adjective that means prudent, circumspect, or modest: “Her discreet handling of the touchy situation put him at ease.” Discrete is an adjective that means separate or individually distinct: “Each company in the conglomerate operates as a discrete entity.”
few / less
Few is an adjective that means small in number. It is used with countable objects: “This department has few employees.”Less is an adjective that means small in amount or degree. It is used with objects of indivisible mass: “Which jar holds less water?”
disinterested / uninterested

Disinterested is an adjective that means unbiased or impartial: “We appealed to the disinterested mediator to facilitate the negotiations.” Uninterested is an adjective that means not interested or indifferent: “They seemed uninterested in our offer

Confusing words

amicable	friendly (refers to things, not people)
amiable	friendly (refers to people) Example: The amiable couple had an amicable divorce.

Confusing words

amicable	friendly (refers to things, not people)
amiable	friendly (refers to people) Example: The amiable couple had an amicable divorce.