7 Tricky Words

Introduction to Tricky Words

The English language is filled with words that are similar in spelling or pronunciation but have different meanings. These words are known as tricky words, and they can be confusing for both native speakers and language learners. In this article, we will explore 7 tricky words in English, their meanings, and how to use them correctly.

1. Accept and Except

The first pair of tricky words is accept and except. Accept means to receive something willingly or to agree with something. For example: * I accept your invitation to the party. * She accepts the new job offer. On the other hand, except means excluding or leaving out. For example: * I like all the vegetables except for Brussels sprouts. * He ate everything on his plate except for the broccoli.

2. Affect and Effect

Another pair of tricky words is affect and effect. Affect is a verb that means to influence or have an impact on something. For example: * The cold weather will affect the crops. * Her mood was affected by the news. Effect, on the other hand, is a noun that means a result or a change. For example: * The effect of the cold weather on the crops was devastating. * The new policy will take effect next month.

3. Assure, Ensure, and Insure

The next trio of tricky words is assure, ensure, and insure. Assure means to make someone confident or certain about something. For example: * I assure you that everything will be okay. * She assured him that she would be there on time. Ensure means to make certain or guarantee something. For example: * I will ensure that the project is completed on time. * The company will ensure that all employees are safe. Insure refers to insurance or to protect against risk. For example: * I will insure my car against theft. * The company will insure its employees against accidents.

4. Its and It’s

The next pair of tricky words is its and it’s. Its is a possessive pronoun that means something belongs to it. For example: * The cat chased its tail. * The company will launch its new product next month. It’s, on the other hand, is a contraction of “it is” or “it has”. For example: * It’s a beautiful day today. * It’s been a long time since I saw you.

5. Loose and Lose

Another pair of tricky words is loose and lose. Loose means something that is not tight or secure. For example: * The screw is loose. * The dog got loose and ran away. Lose, on the other hand, means to misplace or be defeated. For example: * I don’t want to lose my phone. * The team will lose the game if they don’t try harder.

6. Then and Than

The next pair of tricky words is then and than. Then is an adverb that indicates time or sequence. For example: * I will meet you at 5 pm, and then we will go to the movies. * I was tired, so I went to bed then. Than is a conjunction used for comparisons. For example: * He is taller than me. * She is more intelligent than him.

7. To, Two, and Too

The final trio of tricky words is to, two, and too. To is a preposition that indicates direction or movement. For example: * I am going to the store. * The ball is moving to the left. Two is a number that refers to the quantity of 2. For example: * I have two dogs. * There are two apples in the basket. Too is an adverb that means also or very. For example: * I am going to the party, and you can come too. * The coffee is too hot to drink.

📝 Note: Practicing with examples and exercises can help you master the usage of these tricky words.

In summary, tricky words in English can be confusing, but understanding their meanings and usage can help you improve your language skills. By practicing and using these words in context, you can become more confident in your ability to communicate effectively.