Confused Words

Wander and Wonder

Wander means to roam, stroll, etc.

Wonder means to speculate, doubt, etc.

Tom wandered about aimlessly in the streets.

The cops wondered how the convict escaped from prison.

Confused Words

Assent and Ascent

Assent means to agree, consent, etc.

Ascent means to rise, climb, etc.

They gave their assent for the business proposal.

The hot air balloon started its ascent slowly.

Confused Words

Stationary and Stationery

Stationary means to be fixed, motionless, steady, etc.

Stationery means writing and other office materials.

The scouts were instructed to remain stationary when the Chief Guest crossed by.

They went to buy some stationery.

Confused Words

Complement and Compliment

Complement means to complete, supplement, add, etc.

Compliment means to praise, congratulate, laud, etc.

Great music complemented the restaurant’s ambience and delicious cuisine.

She was complimented for her new attire.

Confused Words

Adapt and Adopt

Adapt means to modify, fit, adjust, etc.

Adopt means to take up, choose, accept, etc.

The company policies need to be adapted to suit the current market scenario.

There are many couples who are childless, but feel hesitant to adopt a child.

Confused Plurals

Thunder/Lightning

Rule: Thunder/Lightning cannot be used in a plural sense.

Incorrect Usage: There were thunders and lightnings followed by torrential rain.

Correct Usage: There was thunder and lightning followed by torrential rain.

Confused Plurals

Money

Rule: Money cannot be used in a plural sense.

Incorrect Usage: The profit money are to be distributed among the 3 brothers.

Correct Usage: The profit money is to be distributed among the 3 brothers.

Confused Plurals

Machinery

Rule: Machinery cannot be used in a plural sense.

Incorrect Usage: The factory was in urgent need of new machineries.

Correct Usage: The factory was in urgent need of new machinery.

Confused Plurals

Progress

Rule: Progress cannot be used in a plural sense.

Incorrect Usage: India has made rapid progresses in the field of technology.

Correct Usage: India has made rapid progress in the field of technology.

Confused Plurals

Sheep

Rule: Sheep is used for both singular and plural sense.

Incorrect Usage: He is involved in sheeps-rearing business.

Correct Usage: He is involved in sheep-rearing business.

Confused Plurals

Knowledge

Rule: Knowledge cannot be used in a plural sense.

Incorrect Usage: He has in-depth knowledges about this business.

Correct Usage: He has in-depth knowledge about this business.

Confused Plurals

Grass

Rule: Grass cannot be used in a plural sense.

Incorrect Usage: We sat down on the grasses.

Correct Usage: We sat down on the grass.

Confused Plurals

Luggage

Rule: Luggage cannot be used in a plural sense.

Incorrect Usage: We forgot our luggages in the cab.

Correct Usage: We forgot our luggage in the cab.

Confused Plurals

Damage

Rule: Damage cannot be used in a plural sense.

Incorrect Usage: The tsunami caused widespread damages.

Correct Usage: The tsunami caused widespread damage.

Confused Plurals

Work

Rule: Work cannot be used in a plural sense.

Incorrect Usage: They have lots of works in the office.

Correct Usage : They have a lot of work in the office.

Confused Plurals

Bread

Rule: Bread cannot be used in a plural sense.

Incorrect Usage: I had breads for breakfast.

Correct Usage : I had bread for breakfast.

Confused Plurals

Fish

Rule: Fish cannot be used in a plural sense.

Incorrect Usage: We caught lots of fishes yesterday.

Correct Usage: We caught lots of fish yesterday.

Confused Plurals

Furniture

Rule: The word furniture cannot be used in a plural sense.

Incorrect Usage: Their furnitures are made of teak wood.

Correct Usage: Their furniture is made of teak wood.

Confused Plurals

Information

Rule: The word information cannot be used in a plural sense.

Incorrect Usage: The cops required informations about the murderer.

Correct Usage: The cops required information about the murderer.

Confused Nouns

Appetite and Desire

Rule: Appetite means a strong desire, especially for food; Desire is a strong wish to want something.

Incorrect Usage: (a) She lost her desire.

                                (b) I don’t have the appetite to study.

Correct Usage: (a) She lost her appetite.

                             (b) I don’t have the desire to study.

Confused Nouns

Air and Wind

Rule: Air is the substance necessary for breathing; Wind is the air current blowing in some direction.

Incorrect Usage: (a) The strong air blew away the thin sheets.

                                (b) She needed fresh wind.

Correct Usage: (a) The strong wind blew away the thin sheets.

                             (b) She needed fresh air.

Confused Nouns

Scene and Scenery

Rule: Scene is a particular spot of an event/happening; Scenery is the natural landscape of a place.

Incorrect Usage: (a) The cops arrived at the crime scenery very late.

                                (b) The view of the scene was breathtaking.

Correct Usage: (a) The cops arrived at the crime scene very late.

                                             (b) The view of the scenery was breathtaking.