The English language is beautiful and complex but sometimes it can be frustrating. While its rich vocabulary allows for precise expression, it also throws in a few curveballs with words that confuse even native speakers.

Let’s take a look at some of the most challenging words!

 

Accept vs. except:

 

These two might look similar and sound similar, but they have distinct uses.

 

• Accept: To receive something willingly

I accept your apology.

 

• Except: To exclude something

Everyone is invited except Jacob.

 

Memory trick: Think of "except” as having a big X which excludes something.

 

Affect vs. effect:

 

A big challenge when writing academic papers, affect vs. effect look almost identical.

 

• Affect: (Verb) To influence or change something

The bad weather affects my mood.

 

• Effect: (Noun) A result or consequence

The effect of the medicine was immediate.

 

Memory trick: Remember the mnemonic device RAVEN (affect-verb, effect-noun).

 

Lie vs. lay:

 

These three verbs can cause some grammatical confusion, especially since some of their conjugations are the same in different tenses.

 

• Lie: (Verb) To rest in a horizontal position

Present tense: lie

Past tense: lay

Past participle: lain

I like to lie in bed and read.

 

• Lay: (Verb) To put something down

Present tense: lay

Past tense: laid

Past participle: laid

She carefully lays the book on the table.

 

• Lie: (Verb/Noun) To not tell the truth or an untrue statement

Present Tense: lie

Past tense: lied

Past participle: lied

The son lies to his mom about breaking the window.

 

Memory trick: Remember you lay something down, like laying a foundation. When you want to sleep, you lie down. When someone makes a false statement, they lie.

 

Principal vs. principle:

 

Though they sound the same, they have different meanings.

 

• Principal: (Adjective/Noun) Most important or the primary or the head of a school

The principal reason I'm here is to learn English.

The principal at the school is very serious.  

 

• Principle: (Noun) A fundamental belief or rule

Honesty is a core principle I live by.

 

Memory trick: Think of a school Principal as the principal figure who has strong principles.

 

Its vs. it's:

 

This tiny contraction can cause a lot of confusion.

 

• Its: (Possessive pronoun) showing ownership

The cat chased its tail.

 

• It's: Contraction of "it is" or "it has"

It's a beautiful day!

It’s been a long time since I have seen you.

 

Memory trick: Imagine an apostrophe replacing the missing letters in "it is" or "it has".

 

Stationary vs. stationery:

 

Both of these words are pronounced the same as well.

 

• Stationary: (Adjective) Not moving

The car remained stationary at the red light.

 

• Stationery: (Noun) Writing supplies

I need to buy some new stationery for school.

 

Memory trick: Think of stationery as the supplies you use to write but stationary as remaining in the same place.

 

Desert vs. dessert:

 

These two can lead to a mix-up, especially after a big meal!

 

• Desert: (Noun/Verb) A dry, barren area of land or to abandon someone or something

We crossed the sunny, hot desert.

We had to desert the boat when it started leaking.

 

• Dessert: (Noun) A sweet course eaten after a meal

I saved room for chocolate cake for dessert.

 

Memory trick: Remember there are two s's in dessert because you always want more sweets.

 

Keep the rules above in mind so you’re never stumbling over tricky words in English!