Thread: Similar words

Twice recently I have been picked up for confusing two words
Dependant – dependent
Complimentary – complementary
And twice I have noticed someone else doing it
Advice – advise
Extend – extent

I have found that I have to be careful when choosing Affect vs. Effect, because there are rare instance where affect can be a noun and effect can be a verb.

The mannerism was an affect, but it effected a change on his companions.

Duh. Just to confuse things, one could also say "The mannerism was an effect, but it affected the change in his companions."

Lots of people here use breaks for brakes.

And I saw someone use adolescence for adolescents.

My first thought was that the cause in all cases is a lack of reading.

However, maybe people who rush through life generally at break-neck speed also rush through their reading and never pick up on the fine distinctions. I've always taken a slow and careful approach to stuff, and my word usage/spelling reflects this.

Censure - censor stopped me for a minute just now.

That is the sort of self-satisfied remark that comes before you drop a brick, Ox. I shall be awaiting it with glee.

Edit, I read this to my daughter and she said "Sensor, but not senser"

I dunno what you’re self-satisfied about but just before I came back here I asked my missus about it all and she reckons lack of education pure and simple is the sole reason. She might have a point.

Anyway, your not alone. They’re out there in their thousands.

Have a look here:

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/GRAMMAR/notorious.htm

The principal of the theological college was a man of principle.

Another one I have been picked up on.

Lack of a specific type of education I feel, rather than lack of education overall. But then I would.

I still can't get affect/effect clear in my head.

A lot of people think they are self-depreciating when they are in fact self-deprecating.

Conscious and Conscience

I still can't get affect/effect clear in my head.

'The effect of the sunlight was affected by the drugs he was taking.' A noun and a verb.
There are other meanings, the movies have special effects. The camp guy had an affected manner.
'To effect' as a verb can mean to cause a change "The hypnosis session effected change in him, which affected his whole life"

Conscious and Conscience

That goes nicely with one of my previous ones.
The principal of the theological college was a man of principle and concious that this matter would be on his conscience for some time.

love this one: This is are(our) car.

Originally Posted by Olly Buckle

That goes nicely with one of my previous ones.
The principal of the theological college was a man of principle and concious that this matter would be on his conscience for some time.

Can't spell, as well as confused.

Originally Posted by Olly Buckle

Lack of a specific type of education I feel, rather than lack of education overall. But then I would.

Touché