Commonly Confused Words

contrary to your interests or welfare · strongly opposed

have an effect upon · a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

passing reference or indirect mention · an erroneous mental representation

being of striking appropriateness and pertinence · being directly across from each other; facing

evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of · inform (somebody) of something

marked by care and persistent effort · working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way

rebuke formally · forbid the public distribution of ( a movie or a newspaper)

briefly giving the gist of something · including all or everything

a complete number or quantity · a remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration

be composed of · form the substance of

occurring without interruption; chiefly restricted to what recurs regularly or frequently in a prolonged and closely spaced series · continuing in time or space without interruption

capable of being believed · showing a lack of judgment or experience

express strong disapproval of; deplore · lose in value

marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint · constituting a separate entity or part

unaffected by self-interest · not having or showing interest

of or relating to an economy, the system of production and management of material wealth · using the minimum of time or resources necessary for effectiveness

call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses) · contrary to accepted morality (especially sexual morality) or convention

of imposing height; especially standing out above others · close in time; about to occur

the quality of being outrageous · unusual largeness in size or extent or number

open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead · being essentially equal to something

to or at a greater distance in time or space · in addition or furthermore

treat with contemptuous disregard · display proudly; act ostentatiously or pretentiously

having no cause or apparent cause · having unexpected good fortune

belonging to the past; of what is important or famous in the past · of or relating to the study of history

express or state indirectly · conclude by reasoning; in logic

showing inventiveness and skill · characterized by an inability to mask your feelings; not devious

decreed by or proceeding from a court of justice · marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters

worthy of high praise · full of or giving praise

produced or growing in extreme abundance · displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses

tastelessly showy · deserving reward or praise

have force or influence; bring about an effect or change · lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of

causing or able to cause nausea · full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds

slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity · difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge

not having enough money to pay for necessities · feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds

mentally acute or penetratingly discerning · (of language) transparently clear; easily understandable

be earlier in time; go back further · move ahead; travel onward in time or space

issue commands or orders for · command against

a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct · most important element

a natural inclination · a disposition to behave in a certain way

recklessly wasteful · so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe

conduct a prosecution in a court of law · cause to suffer

in a respectful manner · in the order given

impatient especially under restriction or delay · affording physical or mental rest

characterized by extreme and often misleading simplicity · having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

stop the flow of a liquid · firm and dependable especially in loyalty

fearless daring · fear of the unknown or unfamiliar or fear of making decisions

highly complex or intricate and occasionally devious · extremely painful

(of liquids) clouded as with sediment · abnormally distended especially by fluids or gas

capable of being corrupted · easily excused or forgiven

using or containing too many words · communicated in the form of words