Commonly misused words

• English
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1-3

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Today

- Commonly misused words

Obligated vs Obliged

Obliged means to be in someone's debt because of a favor or service.

Obligated means to be forced to do something because the law or morality requires it. 

•  I felt obliged to attend her birthday party because she had borrowed me some money. 
• Everyone is obligated to pay taxes. 

Accept vs Except

Accept is a verb which means to say ‘yes‘ to an invitation or offer. 

Except is a preposition used before mentioning a person or thing after a false statement. 

except = apart from

• I accepted the position and the company.
• Everyone is invited to my party except Ruth.

Access vs Excess

Access is a verb and a noun meaning to have the right to use something or see someone. 

Excess is a noun and an adjective. 

However, excess means more than is necessary.

• I have access to the files.
  
• To save money, don’t throw away any excess food. Instead, freeze it.

Advise vs Advice

Advise is a verb used when telling someone what they should do in a particular scenario. 

Advice is the noun of the verb advise. Instead of it being the action, it’s the suggestion about what someone should do in a particular scenario.

• My lawyer advised me to take the money. It was great advice!

Affect vs Effect

Affect is a verb meaning to change something or someone. It is usually used for a negative change (not always, but most of the time).

 Effect is a noun. It is a result of said change.

• Your decision to reduce my pay affected my passion for my job.
  
• An effect of growing your own vegetables is better health.

Emigrate vs Immigrate

Emigrate (v) means to leave your country and go and live in another. 

Immigrate (v) means to live in another country after leaving your own. 

 First, you emigrate and then you immigrate.

Two weeks later, Martha arrived in Georgia. She has successfully immigrated.

Example: 

Martha wanted to move to Georgia permanently after spending a year there. She packed everything, got her visa and booked a one-way flight. She planned on emigrating from the UK.

Two weeks later, Martha arrived in Georgia. She has successfully immigrated.

Capital vs Capitol

Capital has two meanings. The first is to be the seat of a country or smaller political area. The second refers to money or possession for producing more money. 

• The capital of New Zealand is Wellington.
• You can live off the interest if you leave your capital in the bank.
  
• 
  

Capitol is a building where the US Congress meets.

• Member of Congress Green was seen entering the Capitol last night.

Ensure vs Insure vs Assure

All of them are verbs.

Ensure is to make something happen. 

Insure is to protect yourself against risk (insurance is the noun). 

Assure means to tell someone something to make them feel more secure after.

Examples

• I will ensure that he gets to school on time.
  
• We need to insure our items before we go away. I will buy travel  insurance.
  
• He assured her that she looked wonderful. She felt less anxious after.

Example;

1. I will ensure that he gets to school on time.
   
2. We need to insure our items before we go away. I will buy travel insurance.
   
3. He assured her that she looked wonderful. She felt less anxious after.

 Lose vs Loose

Lose (v) means no longer having something because you do not know where you have placed it. 

Loose is an adjective meaning slack.

• I think I have lost my letter. It must be somewhere in the house.
  
• My seatbelt is loose. I must tighten it.

Wander vs Wonder

Wander (v) means to walk around aimlessly, usually in a leisurely fashion. 

Wonder means to ask questions.

• The best part of going to cities is wandering. Getting lost is perfect for seeing new things.
  
• I wonder where Bill is?

One word or two words?

Comman words that can be written as one or two words.......

Everyday vs Every day

Everyday (adj.) means used or happening regularly. Every day is an adverb meaning each day.

• My everyday chores include making the bed and hoovering.
  
• I go to the gym every day.

Altogether vs All together

Altogether is an adverb and means in total. 

All together is a  phrase meaning with each other.

• I paid £1200 altogether for my holiday.
• I love it when we are all together.

Maybe vs May be

Maybe is an adverb meaning perhaps. 

May be is a phrase  meaning might. 

Maybe they are lost?

I may be going to the concert.

www.merriam-webster.com