Image: RichVintage/E+/Getty Images
About This Quiz
Some things are better left unsaid, and that includes word mix-ups. With Merriam Webster estimating that there are about 470,000 words in the English language, it's no surprise that blunders are bound to happen. One analysis estimates that there are also approximately 6,139 homonyms — you know, those words that are spelled or pronounced the same but have different meanings. Oh, and let's not forget that something as simple as one letter can completely change a word's meaning (we see you "climatic" and "climactic"). The English language loves to mix, dice, cube, fry, sauté and bake its words at 375 degrees for 20 minutes until we're all doomed to commit a criminal diction deed.
But consider yourself lucky, because you've just clicked on your get-out-of-jail-free card. Whether you always forget the difference between "tact" and "tack" or can't figure out if "affect" is the verb or the noun, the quiz will help you overcome those word walls with varied and straightforward questions. This quiz is full of homophones, homonyms, spelling traps and good old-fashioned commonly confused words. Grab your favorite dictionary and get ready to have your mix-ups taken down!
Which of the following is incorrect?
"I usually get my advice from my local psychic."
"I would advice you to step away from the cake."
This is another one of those cases where one simple letter makes all the difference. "Advice" is a noun, denoting "guidance" or "a suggestion." In contrast, "advise" is a verb for "to give guidance" or "to make a suggestion."
"As per what you advised me, I decided to take a trip to Europe."
"I wouldn't want to advise you to make the wrong choice."
Advertisement
Which option contains the wrong use of "duel"?
"She challenged me to a duel, but I had to go home and eat."
"We dueled until we couldn't take it anymore."
"The theme of duelity is very prevalent in this book."
"Duel" is a fight, whereas "dual" means that something comprises two, often differing, components. For example, "duality" is used to describe contrast and juxtaposition, such as left and right or night and day.
"The duel went on for hours and hours."
Advertisement
Can you tell us the incorrect word in this sentence? "Let's figure out whose sweater this is, then let's return it to the owner. We'll tell them we found it in the second isle, within sight of the meat section."
"Whose"
"Then"
"Isle"
"Isle" is an island, easily remembered by the fact that both words contain the same first three letters. The correct word here is "aisle," as in the famous, "Clean up on aisle two!"
"Sight"
Advertisement
Do you know the difference between "empathy" and "sympathy"?
"Empathy" refers to difficulty in understanding other people's emotions, whereas "sympathy" refers to feeling sorry for others.
"Empathy" means you can easily talk to others, but "sympathy" denotes sorrow or pity.
"Empathy" means you can understand somebody else's emotions or perspective, but "sympathy" refers to feeling pity for someone.
Empathy is often known as more powerful than sympathy because it requires a deeper level of emotional engagement. Surprisingly, a "sympathizer" is someone who agrees with a particular view, not someone who feels pity.
"Empathy" means you're good at setting out a path for yourself, however, "sympathy" signifies that you can feel sorry for others.
Advertisement
What's the difference between "desert" and "dessert"?
"Desert" is a hot, sandy area. "Dessert" means "to abandon."
"Desert" refers to a sweet course after dinner. "Dessert" is a hot, sandy area.
"Desert" refers to a sweet course after dinner. "Dessert" means "to abandon."
"Desert" means "to abandon." "Dessert" is a sweet course after dinner.
Ah yes, the "desert" and "dessert" debacle. The former is either a noun referring to hot, barren land or a verb that denotes abandonment. The latter is just a noun. To remember the difference, think of "Strawberry Sorbet," which is a type of dessert and contains two "S"s.
Advertisement
Can you tell us which one contains the wrong use of "aid"?
"The hearing aid is broken, so we'll have to buy a new one."
"Please send the copy to my aid; he'll have it published."
When talking about a helper, "aide" is the correct term. Even though a committee is comprised of people, the last option is correct because "aid" in this context refers to monetary help, not a monetary helper.
"They agreed to provide significant aid, but it'll take a while for it to reach everyone."
"The Financial Aid Committee approved the budget!"
Advertisement
Do you know the difference between "immoral" and "amoral"?
"Amoral" means you don't care about ethics, whereas "immoral" means "unethical."
The prefix "a" usually renders the base word (in this case, "moral") neutral or makes it signify indifference. For example, the word "asexual" indicates that someone has no sexual interest in others.
"Amoral" means "morally correct," while "immoral" refers to being morally incorrect.
"Amoral" is a verb and "immoral" is a noun.
Trick question! They mean the same thing.
Advertisement
Do you know which answer is wrong?
"I was so sleep deprived that I started to see illusions."
"He made an allusion to Martha Stewart, and I was all for it."
"I was horrendously disillusioned when I realized I can't speak food into existence."
"Some would say your social media profile is just an allusion."
An "allusion" is an indirect reference to a person or event. For example, if talking about your mother-in-law, you might say, "The woman who makes me deeply unhappy," without explicitly saying her name.
Advertisement
Can you identify the wrong answer?
"The doctor prescribed a cough syrup."
"I prescribe you from watching that movie! It's forbidden!"
"Prescribe" is known for its use in medical contexts, but it can also be used as a verb when stating a rule authoritatively. Comparatively, "proscribe" is a verb that means "to forbid."
"This product was proscribed in 1992 after the government banned it."
"The guidelines prescribed a short break between periods."
Advertisement
Can you tell us the incorrect answer?
"She alluded to her cat in no uncertain terms."
"We can illude the traffic by taking a different route."
"Allude" is the verb of "allusion," an indirect reference. "Elude" means "to avoid" or "to escape from," sometimes used in the context of ideas, such as, "This concept eludes me." "Illude" refers to tricking or deluding.
"We thankfully eluded her mom because she had a cold."
"The professor alluded to the class average, which made the students uneasy."
Advertisement
Which option contains the wrong use of "moot"?
"Your point is moot because it has nothing to do with our discussion."
"I mooted that we bring a cake, but she didn't think it was a good idea."
"Whether or not this book is good is a moot point."
"Can you moot the television, please and thank you?"
"Moot" has a few meanings, but the last option should contain "mute," as in "to silence." As a verb, "moot" means "to suggest," and as an adjective, it can mean either "debatable" or "irrelevant."
Advertisement
Can you identify the option with the wrong use of "complement"?
"That's such a nice complement, thank you so much!"
Nobody's blaming you if you're confused. "Complement" refers to something completing or enhancing another thing, whereas "compliment" is an expression of praise. This explanation complements the question!
"I'm looking for something to complement the bookcase in my office."
"The salt in this dish is intended to complement the fish."
"That shade of green really complements her hair color."
Advertisement
What's the difference between "amuse" and "bemuse"?
"Amuse" = provide interest or entertain%0D"Bemuse" = fail to interest or entertain
"Amuse" = provide interest or entertain%0D"Bemuse" = puzzle or bewilder
On the surface, it's easy to think that "bemuse" is simply the opposite of "amuse," but it's slightly different. Just as the verb "to amuse" has a noun counterpart, so too does "bemuse," in the form of "bemusement."
"Amuse" = provide interest or entertain%0D"Bemuse" = make sad
They're synonyms
Advertisement
Do you know why "bazaar" and "bizarre" are different?
"Bazaar" = a marketplace%0D"Bizarre" = very strange
How bizarre is it that the word "bazaar" even exists? It's a marketplace of small stores, often found in the Middle East. It's also an event where money is raised for a donation, just like a fundraiser.
"Bazaar" = a type of blizzard%0D"Bizarre" = very strange
"Bazaar" = somewhat strange%0D"Bizarre" = very strange
"Bazaar" = UK spelling%0D"Bizarre" = US spelling
Advertisement
Which word doesn't belong here? "Incensed by his failure to assemble the table, he pulled it apart. He decided to call a customer service rep, who assured him a helper would arrive eminently."
"Incensed"
"Apart"
"Assured"
"Eminently"
"Eminently" essentially means "very," with its adjectival counterpart, "eminent," meaning "noteworthy" or "famous/respected." The option should've been "imminently," which means that something will happen soon.
Advertisement
Which word doesn't belong here? "Before giving her assent to the contract, she appraised him of its stipulations. She then ensured he understood and told him the contract was added to the HR team's work queue."
"Assent"
"Appraised"
When you want to inform someone, use the verb "apprise." When you want to evaluate or assess, the correct verb is "appraise." This quiz is appraising your skills, while also apprising you!
"Ensured"
"Queue"
Advertisement
Do you know the difference between "stationary" and "stationery"?
"Stationary" = writing and office materials%0D"Stationery" = immobile or unchanging
"Stationary" = located at a station%0D"Stationery" = immobile or unchanging
"Stationary" = immobile or unchanging%0D"Stationery" = located at a station
"Stationary" = immobile or unchanging%0D"Stationery" = writing and office materials
"Stationary" is an adjective and "stationery" is a noun. You can remember this difference by thinking that "writer" and "stationery" both contain an "ER," and stationery is used for writing.
Advertisement
What's the difference difference between "grisly" and grizzly"?
"Grisly" = a type of bear%0D"Grizzly" = causing disgust or fear
"Grisly" = causing disgust or fear%0D"Grizzly" = a type of bear
"Grizzly" is the type of bear, which can be remembered by thinking that bears need to sleep and, in other words, catch some "Z"s. By some estimates, Eurasia is home to about 100,000 brown bears, 70,000 of which reside in the former Soviet Union.
"Grisly" = causing disgust or fear%0D"Grizzly" = susceptible to sizzling very easily, or a type of bear
"Grisly" = susceptible to sizzling very easily, or a type of bear%0D"Grizzly" = a type of bear
Advertisement
Which contains the wrong use of "lead"?
"We told her to lead the way and we ended up getting lost."
"Don't eat that! It contains lead!"
"I was lead astray by the bookstore manager."
Do you feel mis"led"? "Lead" can either be a metal or the present tense of the verb "to lead." Plot twist: When using it in its past tense, the correct spelling is "led." Who would've known?
"Can you take the lead?"
Advertisement
Can you tell us the difference between "pour" and "pore"?
"Pour" = a small opening%0D"Pore" = a verb for "to flow"
"Pour" = a small opening%0D"Pore" = a verb for "to examine closely"
"Pour" = a verb for "to flow"%0D"Pore" = a verb for "to examine closely"
While "pour" is a verb, "pore" contains two definitions: It can either be a verb, as described above, or commonly used as a noun to describe tiny openings, such as those found on the skin.
"Pour" = a verb for "to examine closely"%0D"Pore" = a small opening
Advertisement
Which word doesn't belong? "You absolute angel! Thanks for restoring my tree's bow. Can you also help me find my brooch? It has four carats so it's pretty valuable."
"Angel"
"Bow"
"Bow" has various meanings, including a type of knot or the front part of a boat, but the correct word in this context is "bough" (pronounced like "wow" but with a "B."). It's the main branch of a tree.
"Brooch"
"Carat"
Advertisement
Can you identify the wrong option?
"The principal of the school was confused when the word "fetch" became popular again."
"The principal reason you failed the driving test is because you crashed into an ice-cream stand."
"I can't defy my principles, so I have to decline your offer."
"The principle item we need is a laptop."
As a noun, "principal" refers to the person in charge of a school. As an adjective, it denotes the most important thing. "Principle" is only a noun that refers to beliefs or values.
Advertisement
Can you tell us the wrong choice?
"I forebeared from taking the trip because I didn't have the money."
Interestingly, both "forbear" and "forebear" have nothing to do with bears. The first is a verb whose definition is "to refrain," while the second is a noun that's synonymous with "ancestor."
"My forebear was a baker, so I've heard."
"You need to forbear from saying rude things, please and thank you."
"Do you know who your forebears were?"
Advertisement
Can you identify the wrong word in this sentence? "With his rein coming to an end, the King was worried his legacy would flounder. He asked his advisers to gauge the public's satisfaction with his tenure, especially considering his lack of political tact."
"Rein"
"Rein" in this sense refers to the strap that a rider uses to maneuver a horse. People also say "rein in" when talking about limiting or controlling something. When discussing a king or queen's rule over a kingdom, use "reign."
"Flounder"
"Gauge"
"Tact"
Advertisement
Which answer incorrectly uses "admission"?
"Your facial expression is an admission of guilt."
"You gained admission to the program. Congrats!"
"They're not offering admission into the field."
"Admission" is an acknowledgment of truth, but it also refers to the right to entry or process of acceptance. "Admittance" also refers to entrance, but only in a physical sense, such as, "Admittance into the room is prohibited."
"Please contact your school's admission services for more information."
Advertisement
Which word is wrong? "I caught my breath, then I kept running. I saw a bird cheeping away and a man playing some weird cord on his guitar."
"Breath"
"Then"
"Cheeping"
"Cord"
A "cord" can either refer to the folds of throat tissue known as "vocal cords," or to the strings made from multiple twisted strands, like a phone cord. When talking about the musical notes that an instrument produces, use "chord,"
Advertisement
Which word in this sentence is used incorrectly? "As a lobbyist, I hate losing, which is why I'll keep pushing for legislation until my last breath. Anyways, let's head to the third floor of the capital."
"Losing"
"Breath"
"Capital"
Indeed, "capital" has a variety of definitions, including money, an uppercase letter or where a government is located. The building where a legislature congregates in known as the "capitol."
Trick question; they're all correct!
Advertisement
Which option is wrong?
"His outfit attracted a horde of attention."
"I don't want to hoard my things, but I have no option."
"My mom was a serial horder, but at least she wasn't a serial killer."
"Horde" is a noun that describes a big group of people. "Hoard," as a verb, means that you're accumulating and storing possessions, but as a noun, it denotes a cache of valuable things or money.
"I need to access my hoard of funds but I'm in a foreign country, so it's a little difficult."
Advertisement
Can you identify the difference between a "gaff" and a "gaffe"?
A "gaff" is a spear with a hook, and a "gaffe" is a social blunder.
Despite almost being spelled identically and having the same pronunciation, the two words have very different definitions. A "gaff" is also an informal term for "house" in the U.K.
A "gaff" is a social blunder, and a "gaffe" is a spear with a hook
They both refer to making a social blunder, but "gaff" is an adjective and "gaffe" is an adverb.
Trick question! A "gaff" is just a shortened version of "gaffe," which refers to a spear with a hook.
Advertisement
Which option contains the wrong use of "defuse"?
"He defused the bomb just in time."
"Thanks to her quick thinking, she defused the hostility coming from the crowd."
"The water defused quickly, making the clean-up way more difficult."
"Defuse" is used when a bomb is prevented from exploding by removing its fuse. It can also refer to reducing the tension in a situation. The third option should use the verb "diffuse," which means "to spread over a big area."
"Defusing the problem will help, but it's only part of the solution."
Advertisement
Which choice is wrong?
"That speech was so uninteresting, I'd rather watch soup cool off."
"My therapist seems very disinterested."
"I'm uninterested in your offer, but thanks."
"I get so bored talking about my feelings. It evokes so much disinterest in me."
This seems wild, but there is actually is a difference between "uninterested" and "disinterested": The former means "not interested," but the latter refers to being impartial or refusing to pick a side.
Advertisement
Which word in this sentence is used incorrectly? "Can you please re-sign the contract? You missed the last section that's further down the page. If you have any inquiries, feel free to let me know, but there's no gray area here."
"Re-sign"
"Further"
No, you're not living in a simulation; "further" is wrong. When discussing a physical distance, "farther" is the correct word ("She flew farther than her mom."). Other cases, including more abstract phrases, feature "further" ("If you have further inquiries, please tell me.").
"Inquiries"
"Gray"
Advertisement
Which answer contains the wrong use of "flaunt"?
"I don't know why you have to flaunt your style."
"Every time she comes here, it's to flaunt what I say and I hate it!"
This sentence should contain the word "flout," which means "to defy" or "to disregard." As you probably guessed, "flaunt" refers to showing off, but it's also less commonly used when something is waving or fluttering.
"That bed sheet is flaunting in the wind; hopefully it won't blow away."
"Flaunting her purse, the girl was eager to meet her Tinder date."
Advertisement
Which option contains the wrong use of "effect"?
"When you said, "Bye Felicia," that had a really big effect on me."
"I'm just trying to effect positive change, okay?"
"Mondays effect me horribly, we all know that."
Often confused with "affect," "effect" as a noun means "consequence." As a verb, it signifies "to cause" or "to bring about." Comparatively, "affect" is only a verb that means "to impact."
"The professor said questions were prohibited to effect greater independence among the students."
Advertisement
Which of the following is incorrect?
"If the climatic conditions are good enough, we can go scuba diving."
"He made the most anti-climactic announcement I've ever heard."
"Several countries have multiple climatic regions."
"We're seeing many climactic changes."
Both are adjectives, but "climactic" refers to the climax or peak, whereas "climatic" relates to the climate or weather conditions. Who would've known that a "C" can make such a big difference?
Advertisement
You Got:
/35
RichVintage/E+/Getty Images