Commonly confused words

Alaska vs Hawaii

The two US states that do not touch the rest of the country. Alaska is the largest state by area, in the far n...

albeit vs although

Albeit introduces a short phrase with no subject and verb of its own, while although introduces a complete cla...

algae vs seaweed

Algae is the broad group — organisms that photosynthesise but are not plants, ranging from single microscopic...

allegory vs parable

An allegory is a narrative in which the whole story consistently stands for something else, often at length. A...

allegory vs metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech: one thing described as another within a phrase or sentence — "time is a thie...

allusion vs illusion

An allusion is an indirect reference — a hint at something without naming it. An illusion is a false impressio...

alone vs lonely

Alone states a fact: nobody else is there. <em>I live alone and I like it.</em> Lonely describes a feeling: yo...

already vs all ready

Already as one word refers to time — it means by now or sooner than expected: they've already left. All ready...

altar vs alter

An altar is a raised table used for worship or sacrifice: "They exchanged vows at the altar." To alter is to c...

alternate vs alternative

<em>Alternate</em> means every other one, or taking turns: <em>The bins are collected on alternate Tuesdays.</...

although vs though

As conjunctions joining two clauses, they mean exactly the same thing and are interchangeable: "Although the f...

altitude vs attitude

Altitude is height — how far something is above sea level or the ground. Attitude is a settled way of thinking...

altogether vs all together

Altogether as one word means completely, or in total — that's altogether different, £40 altogether. All togeth...

amigo vs amiga

Grammatical gender, nothing more. Amigo is a male friend, amiga a female one. Spanish nouns referring to peopl...

ammonia vs pneumonia

Ammonia is a chemical — a sharp-smelling gas of nitrogen and hydrogen, used in cleaning products and fertilise...

ammonia vs ammonium

Ammonia is the molecule NH₃ — a pungent gas, often sold dissolved in water as a cleaner. Ammonium is the ion N...

among vs amongst

There is no difference in meaning or grammar: <strong>among</strong> and <strong>amongst</strong> are intercha...

among vs between

Use between when the things are separate and individually in play, however many there are: "the differences be...

amoral vs immoral

Immoral means acting against moral standards — the person knows the rule and breaks it. Amoral means operating...

amount vs number

Use number for things you can count separately — a number of people, a number of errors. Use amount for things...

amulet vs talisman

The traditional distinction is direction: an amulet wards off harm, while a talisman attracts benefit — luck,...

anecdote vs antidote

An anecdote is a short, often amusing story about a real incident. An antidote is a substance that counteracts...

anesthesia vs anesthetic

Anesthesia is the state — the loss of sensation. An anesthetic is the substance that produces it. You are give...

angry vs annoyed

Both describe displeasure, but they sit at different strengths: annoyed is mild, passing irritation, while ang...