Confusing Words
Day 1 accept – to agree to receive or do
except – not including
The young man was devastated after she did not ______the proposal.
Everyone is invited to the party ______Mark.
Original Sentence:
accept ______
except ______
Day 2 advice – recommendations about what to do
advise – to recommend something
The teacher ______the students to study for the test.
My mother always gives the best ______.
Original Sentence:
advice ______
advise ______
Day 3 affect – to change or make a difference to
effect – a result; to bring about a result
Playing upbeat music had an invigorating ______on the overworked employees.
The punishment did not ______the teenager’s criminal behavior.
Original Sentence:
affect ______
effect ______
Day 4 allowed – permitted
aloud – out loud
The students were asked to read ______for everyone to hear.
The students were not ______to work in groups.
Original Sentence:
allowed ______
aloud ______
Day 5 bare – naked, uncover
bear – to carry; to put up with
I cannot ______to throw away the leftover food when there are starving
people in the world.
The reporter was able to ______the truth about the scandal.
Original Sentence:
bare ______
bear ______
Day 6 brake – a device for stopping a vehicle; to stop a vehicle
break – to separate into pieces; to pause
If you ______the toy, you are going to have to purchase a new one.
If you ______the entire way down the hill, it will take longer to get to the
bottom.
Original Sentence:
brake ______
break ______
Day 7 cereal – a breakfast food
serial – happening in a series
Cinnamon Toast Crunch is my favorite breakfast ______.
The ______killer murdered five women on consecutive Fridays.
Original Sentence:
cereal______
serial ______
Day 8 chord – a group of musical notes
cord – a length of string
The electrician cut the ______too short and it didn’t reach to the
outlet.
At guitar practice, I learned to play a C-natural ______.
Original Sentence:
chord ______
cord ______
Day 9 climactic – forming a climax
climatic – of or relating to climate/weather
The ______conditions are causing my hair to friz.
I finally reached the ______moment in the novel.
Original Sentence:
climactic ______
climatic ______
Day 10 coarse – rough
course – a direction; a class in school; a meal
The only college ______he ever failed was macro economics.
The students were instructed to remain on ______throughout the
scavenger hunt.
She did not like touching the ______sandpaper in her shop ______.
We were served seven ______at the formal dinner banquet.
Original Sentence:
coarse ______
course______
Day 11 complement – to add so as to improve something
compliment – to appraise or express approval; an admiring remark
The tight waistline of that red dress does not ______her figure.
The coach ______the players for their effort and work ethic.
Original Sentence:
complement ______
compliment______
Day 12 council – a group of people who manage or advise
counsel – to advise or give advice; advice
The psychologist ______her patients during their appointments.
Mr. Lawson is the sponsor for Jeannette High School’s student ______.
The best ______for students often comes from Mr. Klimchock.
Original Sentence:
cereal______
serial ______
Day 13 defuse – to make a situation less tense
diffuse – to spread over a wide area
The police were trying to ______the bomb when it exploded.
The lights in the stadium projected a ______glow across the field.
Many speakers will begin controversial speeches with humor in order to ______
the tension amongst the listeners.
Original Sentence:
defuse ______
diffuse ______
Day 14 desert – a waterless, empty area; to abandon someone
dessert – the sweet course of a meal
The woman screamed to the man, “Please, do not ______me!”
The waiter forgot to ask us if we cared for any ______before bringing the
check.
Because a cactus can withhold water, it is able to survive the conditions of a ______
Original Sentence:
desert ______
dessert - ______
Day 15 disinterested - impartial
uninterested – not interested
Because Jan is a vegetarian, she was ______in going to the rib cook-off.
A lot of people do not care to get involved in political debates because they are
______to any particular party.
Original Sentence:
disinterested ______
uninterested ______
Day 16 dual – having two parts
duel – a fight or contest between two people
Mark challenged Jimmy to a ______in chess.
She was born in the US but was raised in Canada, so she maintains ______
citizenship.
Original Sentence:
Duel ______
dual ______
Day 17 elicit – to draw out a reply or reaction
illicit – not allowed by law or rules
Pornography is a(n) ______form of photography that some consider art.
The teacher had to pass out gum in order to ______participation from the
students.
Original Sentence:
elicit ______
illicit ______
Day 18 ensure – to make certain that something will happen
insure – to provide compensation if a person dies or property is damaged
The document given to the driver by his agent, ______that he did not have
to pay directly for the costs involved in the accident.
Most people set an alarm clock every night to ______that they wake for
school or work on time.
Original Sentence:
ensure ______
insure ______
Day 19 envelop – to cover or surround
envelope – a paper container for a letter
The secretary placed the letter into a(n) ______for mailing.
The mother ______the sick child’s in her arms.
Original Sentence:
envelop ______
envelope ______
Day 20 forbear – to refrain
forebear – an ancestor
Since Melanie did not have a date for the dance, she chose to ______going to the
event.
Some of my ______include very prominent people in Scottish society.
Original Sentence:
forbear ______
forebear ______
Day 21 foreword – an introduction to a book
forward – onwards, ahead
Despite a loss in numbers, the general led his army ______into the heat of
battle.
Because he did not read the ______, he didn’t understand how the
protagonist contracted the disease.
Original Sentence:
foreword ______
forward ______
Day 22 grisly – gruesome, revolting
grizzly – a type of bear
We had hoped not to run into any ______on our camping trip, and we did
not; however, one found our campsite when we were fishing, and the ______
sight it left for us was enough to make us pack up and go home.
Original Sentence:
grisly ______
grizzly ______
Day 23 imply – to suggest indirectly
infer – to draw a conclusion
The question required us to ______the author’s point for writing the text,
but my answer ______that I did not take the time to read it.
Original Sentence:
imply ______
infer ______
Day 24 loose – to unfasten; to set free
lose – to be deprived of; to be unable to find
After ______15 pounds, her pants were very ______.
He did not want to ______the game, so unfortunately, he cheated.
Original Sentence:
loose ______
lose ______