Words Often Confused

affect to influence or change

effect to totally accomplish; result

allusion a reference

illusion deceptive appearance

already by this time or beforehand

all ready wholly ready

altogether wholly, entirely

all together collectively in a group

adjoining in contact with

adjacent bordering or neighboring

capitol official government building

capital a seat of government or money invested

can to be able

may to have permission

coarse rough, not fine

course direction or a class in school

credible worthy of belief

creditable meritorious

decease death

disease illness

healthy having good health

healthful giving health

later not at the present moment

latter the second object in a series of two

learn to receive knowledge

teach to educate, to give knowledge of

caution to warn

advise to give guidance or counsel

cure to heal or restore to health

remedy to correct anything that has gone wrong

majority more than half

plurality an excess of votes over any other candidate

quiet calm, silent, or hushed

quite to a certain extent or relatively

leave to abandon or depart

let give permission to

lone solitary or solo

loan that which one borrows or lends

stationery writing supplies

stationary in a fixed position or immobile

formerly previously

formally in a dignified manner

persecute to oppress, torment

prosecute take legal action, sue

precede to come before

proceed to advance, continue

prophesy to foretell, predict

prophecy a prediction

most the majority, highest degree

almost nearly

among use among when there are more than two objects

between use between when there are only two objects

practical realistic

practicable workable or feasible

rise to ascend or go up

raise to lift or elevate