1. except/accept – These words can be easy to confuse because they look similar and sound the same. Except means not including, whereas accept means to consent to receive something offered or believe or come to recognize (an opinion, explanation, etc.) as valid or correct. One way to remember the differences between them is to think of their prefixes, ex- and ac-. Ex- means not part of, and you can think of the letter X, which to many of us, is a symbol or short-hand for exclusion. Accept begins with a, as does its synonym, agree, so you can think of it as if it’s A-OK.
2. ensure/insure – Their meanings are similar, in the sense that they make a result more sure. To ensure means to make sure. To insure means to secure or protect something or to buy an insurance policy for protection from loss. In general, the word tends to have a more financial focus than ensure.
3. compliment/complement – These words are even more confusing because their pronunciation is the same. Obviously, the key difference between them lies in one letter: “i” and “e.” Both words also generally have positive meanings.
A compliment is a polite expression of praise or admiration or an act or circumstance that implies praise or respect. You compliment someone when you tell him or her you like his or her new haircut.
Complement is a thing that completes or brings to perfection, a number or quantity of something required to make a group complete, or to add to (something) in a way that enhances or improves it; make perfect. A way to remember the differences between them is to think of the word complete when you think of the word complement — they both have an e. Like the word polite, compliment has an i.
4. piece/peace – These are yet more words that sound alike, have similar spellings, but have different meanings. Common phrases such as “peace of mind” and “to give someone a piece of your mind” add to the confusion. A piece is a part of something whole, to piece means to assemble something from parts and peace is defined as freedom from disturbance; tranquility or the end of war or violence. When I think of piece, I think of pie — it helps that the first three letters are the same, and I make the connection to a slice of a pie. Peace is more of a full, whole concept.
5. then/than – Then means at that time or afterward. Than is often used in comparison to something else or when contrasting something.
Examples:
John will put on his pajamas, and then go to bed.
Mary’s hair is longer than her sister Rachel’s.
Think of how you pronounce then and than and think before you use them in sentences when you write; practice pronouncing the a in than and the e in then more clearly to also help you remember their differences.
Quotes
“Our language is funny — a ‘fat chance’ and a ‘slim chance’ are the same thing.” ~ J. Gustav White
“If the English language made any sense, lackadaisical would have something to do with a shortage of flowers.” ~ Doug Larson
Comments? Suggestions? Need help with your writing? Feel free to contact me.
Michelle Troutman
classywriting.com