Syaidati Ifdari : A Brief Description Of How To Enrich And Use Learner’s English Vocabulary, 2009. USU Repository © 2009
CHAPTER IV WORD USE
4.1 Some Common Confusing Words
Some common confusing words have the same sound but different meaning and spelling. Such word are known as homonyms examples, all ready
and already, the same pronunciation and spelling example, specially and especially, a number of and the number of, one word have many functions
example, before as adverb, conjunction, and preposition. It should be learnt similarity and difference of function of those confusing words. Knowing
similarity and difference of function of the confusing words, can avoid snares of the questions in the TOEFL.
- All ready completely prepared
Already previously; before
We are all ready to start the play. I have already called the police.
- All together all people; all thing Altogether
very; really The teacher and student sang all together
My new house is not altogether finished - Brake
stop; the stopping device in a vehicle Break
rest; pause He braked suddenly
He breaks for coffee - Hear
perceive with the ear Here
in this place
Syaidati Ifdari : A Brief Description Of How To Enrich And Use Learner’s English Vocabulary, 2009. USU Repository © 2009
“The salespeople act as though they do not see or hear me, even though I have been standing here for fifteen minutes,” the woman complained.
- Knew past form of know
New not old
I read new book about English I knew there was some reason the place looked better.
Many kinds of confusing word have the same sound but different meaning and spelling.
Following is a list of other words that frequently make people confuse.
- a, an. Both a and an are used before other word to mean, approximately, “one”
Generally you should use a before words starting with a vowel a,e,u,i,o: An experiment
an elephant an ache
Generally, you should use a before word starting with a consonant all other letters: a coke, a brain, a television.
- Among implies three or more
Between implies only two
We had to choose from among fifty shades of paint but between only two fabrics.
- Beside along the side of
Besides in addition to
I was lucky I was not standing beside the car when it was it. Besides being unattractive, these uniforms are impractical.
- Advice noun meaning “an opinion”
Advise verb meaning “to counsel, to give advice
I advise you to take the advice of your friend and stop working so hard.
Syaidati Ifdari : A Brief Description Of How To Enrich And Use Learner’s English Vocabulary, 2009. USU Repository © 2009
- Affect verb meaning, “to influence”
Effect verb meaning, “to bring about something”; noun meaning “result”
The full effects of marijuana and alcohol on the body are only partly known; However, both drugs clearly affect the brain in various ways.
Finally, you should learn the function the word that have same sound, but different meaning and spelling, or same meaning but different function in the
sentences. Therefore, we would not be confused to choose word exactly in conversation or writing.
4.2 Effective Word Choice
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