Most Confusing English Words with Exercise: Part 4

ALLUSION & ILLUSION

Allusion

Meaning: An expression used to call something to mind without mentioning it clearly or directly
Example: This is an allusion to Shakespeare.

Illusion:

Meaning: A misleading appearance or impression
Example: Visuals support the illusion that he is trying to create.

ALLOWED & ALOUD

Allowed

Meaning: Let (someone) have or do something
Example: He is allowed to leave the country.

Aloud

Meaning: Audibly; not silently or in a whisper; loudly
Example: She read the letter aloud.

BOARD & BORED

Board

Meaning: A group of people constituted as the decision-making body of an organization
Example: She sits on the board of directors.

Bored

Meaning: Lacking interest in one's current activity
Example: She was getting bored in the seminar.

BERRY & BURY

Berry

Meaning: A small roundish juicy fruit
Example: She is mixing the peaches and berries.

Bury

Meaning: Put or hide underground
Example: He buried the box in the garden.

BREAK & BRAKE

Break

Meaning: Separate into pieces
Example: Windows in the street were broken.

Brake

Meaning: A device for slowing or stopping a moving vehicle.
Example: Brakes of the car are not working.

HERE & HEAR

Here

Meaning: In, at, or to this place or position
Example: They were living here last year.

Hear

Meaning: To perceive by ear
Example: She just doesn't hear what I'm telling her.

CENT & SCENT

Cent

Meaning: A monetary unit in various countries
Example: He gets 45 cents per hour.

Scent

Meaning: A distinctive smell, especially one that is pleasant
Example: He sprayed scent over his body.

DOE & DOUGH

Doe

Meaning: A female hare, rabbit, rat, ferret, or kangaroo
Example: I could tell the deer was a doe.

Dough

Meaning: A thick, malleable mixture of flour and liquid, used for baking into bread or pastry
Example: Add water to the flour and mix to manageable dough.

DISCREET & DISCRETE

Discreet

Meaning: Careful in one's speech or actions to keep something confidential or to avoid embarrassment
Example: They made some discreet inquiries.

Discrete

Meaning: Individually separate and distinct
Example: Trees divide the site into a series of discrete landscapes.

DUAL & DUEL

Dual

Meaning: Consisting of two parts, elements, or aspects
Example: He wants to project the dual role.

Duel

Meaning: A contest between two parties
Example: We entertained ourselves with tug-of-war duels.

Test Your Memory

1. The recording was full of contemporary and historical…….(allusion/illusion) 
2. All my …… of a perfect family had been shattered. (allusion/illusion)
3. She is not …… to drive alone. (allowed/aloud)
4. He was reading…….(allowed/aloud) 
5. We were …… in the lecture.(board/bored) 
6. A …… meeting is going on. (board/bored)
7.  …… are good for health. (Berry/bury) 
8. They found the …… treasure. (Berry/bury)
9. The machine has …… and they can't fix it until next week. (Break/brake)
10. He applied both …… with even pressure. (Break/brake)
11. He will be …… within ten days. (here/hear)
12. I know the difference between listening and……. (here/hear)
13. She saves every…… . (Scent/cent) 
14. This perfume has a pleasant……. (Scent/cent)
15. The …… is doing well under the observation of a veterinary officer. (Doe/dough)
16. If …… sticks, add a little more flour. (Doe/dough)
17. A lot of their work is carried out in a very …… manner. (Discrete/discreet)
18. Speech sounds are continuous sound signals rather than …… units. (Discrete/discreet)
19. He has …… nationality. (Duel/dual)
20. He entered into a verbal …… with his officer. (Duel/dual) 

Answers

1. Allusions 
2. Illusions 
3. Allowed 
4. Aloud 
5. Bored 
6. Board 
7. Berries 
8. Buried 
9. Broken 
10. Brakes 
11. Here 
12. Hearing 
13. Cent 
14. Scent 
15. Doe 
16. Dough 
17. Discreet 
18. Discrete 
19. Dual 
20. Duel