Words Often Confused

Compliment (noun) - expression of approval,Ancient (adjective) - very old
admiration etc.Antique (adjective) - old-fashioned
Complement (noun) - that which makes somethingSome people harp on the ancient glory of Indian
completeculture.
My compliments to your husband.In the museum we have some remarkable relics of
The party must consist of fifty people. Here areantique sculpture.
forty. We need ten more to reach our complement.Apprehend (verb) - grasp, get a hold on the meaning
Medal (noun) - flat piece of metal given as an awardof a thing
or made to commemorate an eventComprehend (verb) - understand fully
Meddle (verb) - interfere with other's thingsI can apprehend the bare principles of the Theory of
He won the gold medal.Relativity but I cannot comprehend the full
Do not meddle with other people's affairs.implications of that theory.
Affect (verb) - have an effect onAmiable (adjective) - lovable
Effect (noun) - resultAmicable (adjective) - friendly
Effect (verb) - bring about, cause to happenHis amiable qualities endear him to everybody.
The climate affected his health.We have arrived at an amicable settlement of the
He was deeply affected by the sad news.dispute.
Mongooses are not so much affected by cobra-bitesAdapt (verb) - make something suitable to or for a
as men are.purpose
The effect of cobra-bite on a man is often deadly.Adopt (verb)
The new principal effected many changes in theSuccess often depends on your ability to adapt
college.yourself to changing circumstances.
Prophesy (verb) - say what will happen in the futureThe merchant who had no children of his own
Prophecy (noun) - power of telling what will happen inadopted John as his heir.
the futureAvert (verb) - turn away, ward off
I prophesy that it will rain tomorrow.Invert (verb) - turn upside down
Did you hear my prophecy that it would rainWe must make every effort to avert a Third World
tomorrow?War.
Stationary (adjective) - not moving or changingHe inverted the bottle to show that there was not a
Stationery (noun) - writing-materialsdrop left.
When an object isn't moving, it is stationary.Advise (verb)
Articles like writing paper, pencils and pens are calledAdvice (noun)
stationery.I advised him to study law.
Dependant (noun) - somebody who depends uponHis advice was helpful.
another for a home, food etc.Affection (noun) - love
Dependent (adjective) - dependingAffectation (noun) - pretence
I have many dependants.He has great affection for his mother.
Kids are usually dependent on their parents till theyI hate affectation in speech and manner.
can earn enough to support themselves.Canvas (noun)
Licence (noun) - permission to do somethingCanvass (verb) - request votes
License (verb) - give permission toThis tent is made of canvas.
You must get a driving licence.The candidates have been vigorously canvassing the
This shop is licensed to sell tobacco.support of the voters.
Disease (noun) - illness of body, mindChildlike (adjective) - like a child
Decease (noun) - deathChildish (adjective) - immature
Cholera is a terrible disease.He has a childlike simplicity about him.
The deceased means the dead people.His conduct is extremely immature.
Difference (noun)Congenial (adjective) - suitable, agreeable
Deference (noun) - respectCongenital (adjective) - from birth
There is no difference between this and that.In congenial surroundings a child's mind develops very
He is very polite to his parents and treats them withwell.
great deference.His blindness is congenital.
Assent (noun) - give one's agreement toCapture (verb) - seize
Ascent (noun) - way upCaptivate (verb) - fascinate
He gave his assent to the proposal.He was captured by his enemies.
The temple is at the top of the hill and the ascent isHe was captivated by her beauty.
very steep.Compliment (noun) - expression of regard
Illicit (adjective) - unlawfulComplement (adjective) - that which completes
Elicit (verb) - get an answer from somebodyPlease, convey my compliments to your brother.
Liquor made without a licence is illicit.The ship has its full complement of sailors.
I asked him many questions to elicit what had reallyConfident (adjective) - sure
happened.Confidential (adjective) - trusted, secret
Eminent (adjective) - distinguishedI am confident of success this time.
Imminent (adjective) - likely to come or happen soonI shall tell you something, but keep it confidential.
People whose names are familiar to everyone areComprehensive (adjective) - exhaustive
not necessarily eminent.Comprehensible (adjective) - understandable
He is an eminent scholar.This book gives a comprehensive account of the
The sky is heavily clouded, so rain seems imminent.whole of English grammar.
Illusion (noun) - false idea or beliefYou must present your ideas in a lucid and
Allusion (noun) - hintcomprehensible manner.
It is an illusion to think that the sun moves across theConfirm (verb) - ratify
sky.Conform (adjective) - comply with
He did not make a single allusion to the examinationThe decisions of the board were later confirmed by
results in his speech.the minister.
W B Yeats makes several allusions to IndianThis practice does not conform to the rules laid
mythology in his poems.down by the committee.
President (noun) - head of a state or organizationEligible (adjective) - qualifiedlegible (adjective)
Precedent (noun) - taken as an example of or as a-readable
rule for what comes laterYou are not eligible for the post.
He is the President of the United States.Write legibly.
I will let you do this now, but don't take it as aFacilitate (verb) - make easy
precedent. I will not let you do this again.Felicitate (verb) - congratulate
Adverse (adjective) - hostileAudio-visual aids will facilitate the teaching of science
Averse (adjective) - harbouring dislike tosubjects.
The officer was not promoted because there wasWe held a meeting to felicitate the winners.
an adverse report against him.Graceful (adjective) - full of grace
He is not averse to violent methods.Gracious (adjective) - full of kindness
Which cat is averse to fish?She looked graceful.
Accelerate (verb) - increase the speedThe princess was very gracious and readily agreed to
Expedite (verb) - assist and hasten the progress ofpreside over the women's conference.
He suddenly accelerated the car; it shot forward andIndustrial (adjective) - pertaining to industry
soon disappeared from view.Industrious (adjective) - hard-working
All steps have been taken to expedite the formationIndia's industrial development in recent years has
of the new state.been remarkable.
Application (noun) - the process of applying,Industrious students should be encouraged and
enforcementrewarded.
Implication (noun) - meaning implied but not explicitlyIngenuous (adjective) - frank, open
statedIngenious (adjective) - clever
The application of the tax measures will causeHis ingenuous nature has made him popular.
hardship to the middle class.He has made an ingenious device that can make
The implications of his statement are far-reaching.sugar out of coal.