Commonly confused words

especially vs specially

Especially means "particularly" or "above all others": "The roads are bad, especially after rain." Specially m...

EST vs EDT

Two settings of the same US Eastern time zone. EST is Eastern Standard Time, UTC−5, used in winter. EDT is Eas...

estimate vs quote

An <strong>estimate</strong> is an approximate figure that can move once the work starts — "They estimated £1,...

eternal vs external

Eternal means lasting forever, without end. External means on or from the outside. <em>Eternal life</em>; <em>...

ethos vs logos

These are two of Aristotle's three modes of persuasion. Ethos persuades through the character and credibility...

evaluation vs valuation

A valuation puts a monetary figure on something — what a house, a company or a painting is worth. An evaluatio...

everybody vs everyone

There is no difference in meaning: "Everybody knows the rules" and "Everyone knows the rules" say the same thi...

everyday vs every day

Everyday as one word is an adjective meaning ordinary or routine — everyday clothes. Every day as two words me...

everyone vs everybody

They mean the same thing and are interchangeable — both refer to every person in a group and both take a singu...

evolution vs revolution

Evolution is gradual change over time. Revolution is sudden, complete change — the overthrow of a system, or o...

evolution vs evaluation

Evolution is gradual development over time, and in biology the change of species across generations. Evaluatio...

example vs sample

An example is a single case brought up to illustrate or clarify something: "for example, penguins can't fly"....

exceed vs succeed

Exceed means to go beyond a limit or amount: "Repairs exceeded the estimate by £400." Succeed means to achieve...

exercise vs exorcise

To exercise is to train the body, or to use a right or power — exercise caution, exercise your vote. To exorci...

expenditure vs expense

An <em>expense</em> is an individual cost, and you can count them: "Travel is our biggest expense." <em>Expend...

expiry vs expiration

They mean the same thing — the end of a period of validity. Expiry is the usual British form (expiry date), ex...

explicit vs implicit

Explicit means stated outright and unmistakably. Implicit means implied — understood without being said. An ex...

explore vs explode

Explore is to travel through or examine something to learn about it. Explode is to burst apart violently. <em>...

expressway vs highway

Highway is the general term for any main public road. An expressway is a specific kind: divided, with access l...

extensive vs expensive

Extensive means covering a large area or amount, thorough. Expensive means costing a lot. <em>Extensive damage...

extent vs extend

Extent is the noun — how far something reaches or applies. Extend is the verb — to make something longer, larg...

facetious vs sarcastic

Both are non-serious, but the intent differs. Facetious means joking about something that deserves seriousness...

faction vs fraction

A fraction is a part of a whole, especially a small one, or a number like ¾. A faction is a group within a lar...

faint vs feint

Faint means weak or barely perceptible — a faint smell, a faint hope — and as a verb, to lose consciousness. A...