Frequently confused words

Choose the correct answer.

1. I often ... against my brother when we play chess.

a. loose

b. lose

2. Greg fell ... his bike and severely injured his knee.

a. off

b. of

3. This skirt is too ... for me to wear.

a. loose

b. lose

4. Obviously, he’s excited at the ... of joining the team.

a. prospect

b. perspective

5. My parents were generous and sincere, and they taught me to ... rather than possess.

a. share

b. divide

6. My sister’s salary is ... to live on.

a. low enough

b. too low

7. How many books have you ... from the library this month?

a. borrowed

b. lent

8. The pie was ... into eight parts.

a. shared

b. divided

9. First sift the flour, ... melt the butter.

a. than

b. then

10. ..., my daughter is not the best singer in the class, but she can draw funny pictures.

a. Admittedly

b. Apparently

11. Peaches and cream ... each other perfectly.

a. compliment

b. complement

12. Don’t forget to ... Sarah on her new hairstyle.

a. complement

b. compliment

13. The department seems to be spending too much on ...

a. stationary

b. stationery

14. Irma used to ... a lot with her sister.

a. argue

b. discuss

15. It takes ... to tango.

a. too

b. two

16. Small-scale farmers in Guatemala have been badly ... by droughts several times over the past decade.

a. effected

b. affected

17. This measure will involve higher taxes ...

a. in the long run

b. in the long-term perspective

18. A dynamic, creative understanding of a person is what the proponents of this theory ... lack.

a. admittedly

b. apparently

19. Diplomacy is the only ... way to resolve this dispute.

a. sensitive

b. sensible

20. It was definitely a ... violation of the rules.

a. flagrant

b. fragrant

Sources: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com

https://www.macmillandictionary.com

https://www.englishgrammar.org

Take a test on English opposites.

1. The opposite of “valuable” is ...

2. The opposite of “responsive” is ...

3. The opposite of “perceptive” is ...

4. The opposite of “different” is …

5. The opposite of “dispensable” is ...

6. The opposite of “famous” is …

7. The opposite of “appointment” is ...

8. The opposite of “flammable” is ...

9. The opposite of “savoury” is ...

10. The opposite of “pertinent” is …

11. The opposite of “interested” is …

12. “Caregiver” is a person that provides care for those who need extra help (usually at home). Who is a caretaker?

a. A sick or an old person who receives help.

b. A person whose job is to look after a building (such as a school or a block of flats).