English: WORDS OFTEN CONFUSED

In English a new set of questions are often seen in competitive exams specially in Bank and Insurance exams---- 'misspelt or inappropriate words'. Following set of 21 pairs may help you to attempt these sort of questions. 

1.      Advice :-  counsel

-                                     I acts upon my advice.

             Advise :-  give counsel

-                                     I advised him to work well.

2.      Affect :-  produce effect

-                                   Overwork has affected his health.

             Effect :-  result

-                                  My advice had no effect on her.

3.      Adapt :-  to make fit

-                                   He should adapt himself to his circumstances.

             Adopt :-  to take up

-                                   He has adopted a girl.

4.      Accept :-  consent to

-                                    I accept your offer.

             Except :-  but

-                                   All except Sudha were present there.

5.      Bear :-  endure

-                                    I cannot bear hardships.

             Bear :-  a wild animal

-                                    I have seen a bear yesterday.

6.      Canvas :-  a kind of rough cloth

-                                    Shoes are made of canvas.

             Canvass :-  ask for votes

-                                   Rajan is canvassing for votes.

7.      Coarse :- rough

-                                   Her dress is made of coarse cloth.

             Course :-  path

-                                   The Sultaj has changed its course.

8.      Dual :- double

-                                    There are forty dual desks in our class room.

             Duel :-  a fight between two persons

-                                   He was killed in a duel.

9.      Dose :-  quantity of medicine

-                                   Take three doses of medicine daily.

             Doze :-  light sleep

-                                   Ram was found dozing in the class.

10.  Fair :-  beautiful

-                                   She is a fair lady.

             Fare :-  charge

-                                   The bus fare has been increase recently.

11.  Hail :- come

-                                   He hails from Kashmir.

             Hale :- healthy

-                                   She looks hale today.

12.  Heel :-  the hind of the foot

-                                   A thorn ran into my heel

             Heal :-  cure

-                                   This wound will heal in a weak.

13.  Knotty :-  difficult

-                                    It is a knotty sum.

             Naughty :-  mischievous

-                                   Do not mix with naughty boys.

14.  Loose :-  not tight

-                                    I wear loose cloths.

             Lose :-  cease to have

-                                  He will lose everything in gambling.

15.  Lesson :-  exercise

-                                   She learns her lesson daily.

             Lessen :-  make less

-                                  This medicine will lessen your pain.

16.  Piece :-  a part

-                                  Give him a piece of bread.

             Peace :-  a state of calm

-                                    India wants peace, not war.

17.  Pair :-  a set of two

-                                    I have a pair of towel.

             Pare :-  cut

-                                   Pare your nails once a week.

18.  Principal :-  chief, head

-                                   Our principal is a kind man.

             Principle :-  rule of conduct

-                                  He has strict principles in life.

19.  Quite :-  completely

-                                    I am quite well here.

            Quiet :-  silent

-                                  Please be quiet.

20.  Ring :-  circle

-                                    She has a gold ring

             Wring :-  squeeze

-                                  The washerman wrings the clothes.

21.  Stationery :-  writing material

-                                  He deals in stationery.

            Stationary :-  not moving

-                                  This sofa is stationary.