Many people make New Year resolutions related to self-improvement. For some, this may include sharpening one’s grammar skills in 2025. Let’s look at five examples of similar words that are commonly misspelled or improperly used in the English language.
Grammar counts…
There are many words or phrases that are commonly misused in the English language. We sometimes refer to them as “confused words.” To clarify, it’s not the words that are confused, but rather it’s our incorrect usage of them in sentences that earns them that title.
Here are five examples:
- Affect vs. Effect: These two words are spelled and pronounced slightly differently. Both can be verbs and nouns. Per Merriam-Webster.com, affect is usually a verb that means to produce an effect upon. In rare instances when it’s a noun, it means a type of behavior, disposition, feeling or emotion. Effect is usually a noun to means a change that results when something is done or happens. When it’s a verb it means to cause to come into being or accomplish. When you are uncertain of which word to use, experts say to think of affect as a verb and effect as a noun – and you’re likely to be right most of the time.
Here are examples of usage in sentences:
Sad music affects people differently.
Her affect did not change after hearing the news.
The new law had a positive effect on the economy.
The new leader plans to effect change in the future.
- Capital vs. Capitol: These two words sound alike but differ in spelling, so they are called homophones. Per Study.com, the word capital can refer to cities, letters, crimes, criminal punishments and financial assets. The word “capitol” refers to a building. When referring to a specific building like the U.S. Capitol, it should be capitalized. To help remember the difference between capital and capitol, picture the letter “o” in the word capitol as a building dome.
Here are examples of usage in sentences:
Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States of America.
The U.S. Congress works in the U.S. Capitol Complex.
Some lawmakers argue against capital punishment.
Names begin with capital letters.
- Counsel vs. Council. These two homophones are frequently confused because they have related but different meanings. Per Scribber.com, counsel is a verb meaning “advise” and a noun meaning “advice” or “instruction.” It is also used as a noun to refer to a lawyer. Council is a noun that means an advisory or legislative body of people.
Here are examples of usage in sentences:
The man sought counsel from his attorney.
The defendant’s counsel offered free legal advice.
Dr. Jones counsels people facing personal turmoil.
The council is responsible for the park’s welfare.
- Desert vs. dessert: These two commonly mixed-up words have different spellings and meanings, and even feature distinct differences in pronunciation in some cases. However, people still get them confused. As a noun, desert means very dry land. As a verb, desert means to leave a place, to leave someone, or to withdraw support. Dessert (with a double s) is a sweet food eaten after a meal. A good way to remember the difference – dessert has the extra “s” because you want more of it!
Here are examples of usage in sentences:
I spotted a big cactus growing in the desert.
Bad weather caused the man to desert his outdoor post.
Chocolate cake is my favorite dessert.
- Emigrate vs. Immigrate: These two words are not pronounced the same nor do they have the exact same meaning. However, because they involve the movement of people from one country to another, they are commonly misused. Per Grammarly, emigrate means to leave a place, such as a country of origin, to settle in another location. To immigrate means to settle in a country where you were not born. A trick is to associate the letter “e” in emigrate with the word exit and the letter “i” in immigrate with the word in.
Here are examples of usage in sentences:
The economy was so bad in our home country that we decided to emigrate.
More than 4 million Italians immigrated to the United States from Italy from 1880 to 1914.
Confused words
Seeking to expand your vocabulary and improve your accuracy in grammar for 2025? Begin with these commonly misused words in the English language. Note that the list of “confused words” compiled above is just a mini sampling of hundreds that exist. Therefore, you’ll have plenty more words to sort out – enough to keep you busy in the new year!
Check out more “confused words” featured by Merriam-Webster by clicking here.