{"id":44,"date":"2014-07-18T19:26:33","date_gmt":"2014-07-18T19:26:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/successfulwriting\/?post_type=chapter&p=44"},"modified":"2014-07-19T04:44:00","modified_gmt":"2014-07-19T04:44:00","slug":"4-1-commonly-confused-words","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-fmcc-writingforsuccess\/chapter\/4-1-commonly-confused-words\/","title":{"raw":"4.1 Commonly Confused Words","rendered":"4.1 Commonly Confused Words"},"content":{"raw":"

Chapter 4 Working with Words: Which Word Is Right?<\/h1>\r\n
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4.1<\/span> Commonly Confused Words<\/h2>\r\n
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Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n
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  1. Identify commonly confused words.<\/li>\r\n\t
  2. Use strategies to avoid commonly confused words.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\nJust as a mason uses bricks to build sturdy homes, writers use words to build successful documents. Consider the construction of a building. Builders need to use tough, reliable materials to build a solid and structurally sound skyscraper. From the foundation to the roof and every floor in between, every part is necessary. Writers need to use strong, meaningful words from the first sentence to the last and in every sentence in between.\r\n\r\nYou already know many words that you use everyday as part of your writing and speaking vocabulary<\/span><\/span>. You probably also know that certain words fit better in certain situations. Letters, e-mails, and even quickly jotted grocery lists require the proper selection of vocabulary. Imagine you are writing a grocery list to purchase the ingredients for a recipe but accidentally write down cilantro when the recipe calls for parsley. Even though cilantro and parsley look remarkably alike, each produces a very different effect in food. This seemingly small error could radically alter the flavor of your dish!\r\n\r\nHaving a solid everyday vocabulary will help you while writing, but learning new words and avoiding common word errors will make a real impression on your readers. Experienced writers know that deliberate, careful word selection and usage can lead to more polished, more meaningful work. This chapter covers word choice and vocabulary-building strategies that will improve your writing.\r\n
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    Commonly Confused Words<\/h2>\r\nSome words in English cause trouble for speakers and writers because these words share a similar pronunciation, meaning, or spelling with another word. These words are called commonly confused words<\/span><\/span>. For example, read aloud the following sentences containing the commonly confused words new<\/em> and knew<\/em>:\r\n
    \r\n\r\nI liked her new<\/em> sweater.\r\n\r\nI knew<\/em> she would wear that sweater today.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nThese words may sound alike when spoken, but they carry entirely different usages and meanings. New<\/em> is an adjective that describes the sweater, and knew<\/em> is the past tense of the verb to know<\/em>. To read more about adjectives, verbs, and other parts of speech see Chapter 2 \"Writing Basics: What Makes a Good Sentence?\".\r\n
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    Recognizing Commonly Confused Words<\/h2>\r\nNew<\/em> and knew<\/em> are just two of the words that can be confusing because of their similarities. Familiarize yourself with the following list of commonly confused words. Recognizing these words in your own writing and in other pieces of writing can help you choose the correct word.\r\n
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    Commonly Confused Words<\/h3>\r\nA, An, And\r\n