Who or Whom: What’s the Difference?
Many English learners hesitate when choosing between who and whom. Since both words refer to people, it’s easy to assume ...
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Stimulant vs Stimulus: Two Words Often Mixed Up
A health article states, “Caffeine is a common stimulus found in coffee and tea,” the sentence sounding almost right despite ...
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Prescribe vs Proscribe: One Letter, Opposite Meanings
A workplace memo reads, “The new policy will prescribe the use of personal devices during meetings,” the intent likely the ...
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Assure or Ensure: Which Word Is Correct?
A manager’s email reads, “I want to ensure you that the project is on track,” the intention clear despite a ...
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Advice or Advise? The Noun-Verb Mix-Up Even Editors Slip On
A greeting card reads, “Thanks for all your advise over the years,” the gratitude genuine despite a small grammatical slip ...
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Accept or Except? The Two Words English Learners Mix Up Most
A wedding invitation reply reads, “We except your kind invitation with pleasure,” the excitement obvious despite a small grammatical slip ...
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Affect or Effect? The Mistake Even Skilled Writers Make
A therapist’s clinical notes describe a patient’s “flat affect,” meaning a noticeable lack of emotional expression during their session. Meanwhile, ...
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Tortuous or Torturous? Sometimes a Word Can Be Both
A travel writer describes a “tortuous” mountain road, winding endlessly through switchback after switchback before finally reaching the summit. Meanwhile, ...
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Eminent vs Imminent: Meaning, Difference & Examples
A university announces that an “eminent” physicist will deliver the keynote address at graduation, praising her decades of groundbreaking research. ...
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Confident or Confidant? They Were Once Spelled Exactly the Same
A job candidate walks into an interview feeling remarkably “confident,” ready to answer any question thrown her way. Meanwhile, later ...
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