7 Commonly Misused Words
Accept & Except
accept = to agree to take something
We accept credit cards.
except = not including
We accept credit cards, except American Express.
Compliment & Complement
compliment = a remark that expresses approval, admiration, or respect
I take it as a compliment when people say I look like my mother.
complement = to make something else seem better or more attractive when combining with it
Strawberries and cream complement each other perfectly.
Fewer & Less
fewer = nouns that can be counted
We got fewer complaints this week.
less = nouns that cannot be counted
We must try to spent less money.
Flammable & Inflammable
flammable = something that is flammable burns easy
Caution! This solvent is highly flammable.
inflammable = an inflammable substance or material burns very easily
A highly inflammable liquid such as petro
Flair & Flare
flair = natural ability to do something well
He has a flair for languages.
flare = to burn brightly either for a short time or not regularly
The flame above the oil well flared into the dark sky.
Emigrate & Immigrate
emigrate = to leave a country permanently and go to live in another one
Thousands of Poles emigrate every year.
immigrate = to come to live in a different country
He immigrated with his parents in 1989.
It's & Its
it's =it is or it has
It's my turn to do it.
its = belonging to or relating to something that has already been mentioned
Their house has its own swimming pool.