Confusables
Choose the right word or phrase by comparing the job each does in a sentence.
147 source-checked guides
- Comprise / Compose / Include / Contain / ConstituteA whole comprises or contains its parts; parts compose or constitute a whole. Include introduces members or examples. Write “comprises”, not “comprises of”.Open guide
- Criterion / CriteriaCriterion is singular; criteria is plural. Pair “one” or “a” with criterion, and use a plural verb with criteria.Open guide
- Fewer / LessUse fewer for countable items and less for amounts. Established expressions involving time, money, distance and measurements often use less.Open guide
- Reply / Answer / RevertReply normally takes to before the person or message; answer normally takes its object directly. Revert meaning reply is familiar in Singapore workplaces, but reply is clearer for an international audience.Open guide
- Appraise / AppriseAppraise is about assessment; apprise is about informing.Open guide
- Precedent / precedents / PrecedencePrecedents are earlier examples; precedence is priority. You set a precedent, but one consideration takes precedence over another.Open guide
- Advice / Piece of advice / AdviseAdvice is an uncountable noun; advise is a verb. Write “a piece of advice” for one recommendation and “please advise” when asking someone to respond.Open guide
- Affect / Effect / Effect (verb)Affect is usually a verb meaning influence; effect is usually a noun meaning result. Effect is also a valid formal verb meaning bring about.Open guide
- Complement / complementary / Compliment / complimentaryComplement and complementary are about completing or enhancing; compliment and complimentary are about praise. Complimentary can also mean free of charge.Open guide
- Principal / PrinciplePrincipal can mean chief or most important; principle is a rule or fundamental belief.Open guide
- Discreet / DiscreteDiscreet is careful or unobtrusive; discrete is separate or distinct.Open guide
- Stationary / StationeryStationary means still; stationery refers to writing materials.Open guide
- Assure / Ensure / InsureYou assure a person, ensure an outcome and insure against financial loss.Open guide
- Imply / InferThe sender implies; the receiver infers. Some historical overlap exists, but this distinction prevents ambiguity.Open guide
- Elicit / IllicitElicit is a verb meaning draw out; illicit is an adjective meaning prohibited.Open guide
- Council / CounselA council is a group; counsel is advice or an adviser.Open guide
- Cite / Site / SightCite a source, visit a site and see a sight.Open guide
- Practice / PractiseIn British-style spelling, practice is the noun and practise is the verb. American English uses practice for both.Open guide
- Licence / LicenseIn British-style spelling, licence is the noun and license is the verb. American English uses license for both.Open guide
- Programme / ProgramBritish-style writing commonly uses programme for organised initiatives and program for computing. American English uses program for both.Open guide
- Dependent / DependantDependent is the adjective. In British-style spelling, dependant is the noun for a person who relies on another.Open guide
- Continual / Continuous / ContinuedContinual usually emphasises repeated recurrence; continuous emphasises an unbroken sequence; continued simply means carried on or persisting.Open guide
- Alternate / AlternativeAlternate is clearest for taking turns; alternative is clearest for another choice.Open guide
- Historic / HistoricalHistoric usually means historically important; historical means related to history or the past more generally.Open guide
- Staff / Staff member / staff membersUse staff for the workforce collectively and staff member when referring to one person. Use staff members when a precise count matters.Open guide
- Feedback / Comment / comments / Piece / item of feedbackFeedback is normally uncountable. Use comments for countable observations, or pieces or items of feedback when you need to count feedback.Open guide
- Information / Piece / item of informationInformation is uncountable in standard workplace English. Use a piece or item of information for one fact and pieces or items for several.Open guide
- Equipment / Piece / item of equipmentEquipment is normally uncountable. Use a piece or item of equipment for one device and pieces or items for several.Open guide
- Responsible / AccountableResponsible usually identifies who does or manages the work; accountable identifies who ultimately owns and answers for the result.Open guide
- Approve / Approve ofApprove something means formally authorise it; approve of something means have a favourable opinion of it.Open guide
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