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Confusing British English Words Explained: Quick & Easy Guide

British English is full of confusing word pairs. It can become frustrating not knowing which is the right word to use in your expression. Understanding the word pairs is essential for clear communication in daily and business life as well as for any exams you are doing or will do in the future. Here is a guide to understanding why they are confusing, examples and how you can remember which word is which.


Why English Words Get Confusing

There are a few reasons why words can be confusing. One reason is due to homophones. Homophones are words that sound the same (same pronunciation) but they have different meanings and spellings, for example, new and knew. Another reason is the difference between British and American usage, for example, in American English practice is used for both a noun and a verb, whereas, in British English practice is a noun and practise is a verb. Within speaking this doesn't make too much of a difference but in writing and reading it may be slightly confusing.


a selection of stationery laid out on a table.

Top Confusing Word Pairs in British English

Affect vs. Effect

  • Affect (verb): to influence

  • Effect (noun): a result

  • An earthquake affects thousands of people.

  • Drinking lots of coffee has a bad effect on the body.

Practice vs. Practise

  • Practice (noun): doing something repeatedly

  • Practise (verb): the action of practising

  • She went to band practice.

  • She practises the drums daily.

Licence vs. License

  • Licence (noun): an official document that allows you to do something

  • License (verb): to give the permission

  • I got my driving licence last year.

  • A shop is licensed to sell alcohol.

Stationary vs. Stationery

  • Stationary: not moving

  • Stationery: writing materials

  • The train is stationary waiting for passengers to get on safely.

  • I have a lot of stationery for my studies.

Compliment vs. Complement

  • Compliment: praise

  • Complement: goes well with

  • My husband always compliments my outfits.

  • I think the sofa complements the wall colours.

Further vs. Farther

  • Further: metaphorical or abstract distance (very common to use further for both words)

  • Farther: physical distance

  • Let's discuss this further.

  • He ran farther than me. (He ran further than me).

Who vs. Whom

  • Who: subject

  • Whom: object

  • Who is calling?

  • To whom should I send the email?

Desert vs. Dessert

  • Desert: dry, arid land OR to abandon

  • Dessert: sweet course after a meal

  • The Sahara Desert is the biggest desert in the world. That house looks deserted.

  • I really enjoy a chocolate dessert after my meal.

Advice vs. Advise

  • Advice (noun): guidance

  • Advise (verb): to recommend

  • She gave me great advice.

  • I advise you to leave early.

Principal vs. Principle

  • Principal: head of a school or main thing

  • Principle: a rule or moral belief

  • Our Principal is Mr. Smith.

  • He has no principles at all.

Lead vs. Led

  • Lead (pronounced 'leed'): to guide. Pronounced 'led': a metal

  • Led: past tense of 'lead'

  • The tour guide leads us around the city. Lead is in a pencil.

  • I led the lost stranger to the nearest information centre.

Lose vs. Loose

  • Lose: to misplace or fail

  • Loose: not tight or free

  • I don't like to lose a competition.

  • She wears loose trousers.

Assure vs. Ensure vs. Insure

  • Assure (verb): to make someone confident

  • Ensure (verb): to make certain that something happens

  • Insure (verb): to cover financially

  • I assure you it's safe.

  • Ensure the door is locked.

  • I must insure my car.

Elicit vs. Illicit

  • Elicit: to draw out a response or information from someone

  • Illicit: illegal or forbidden

  • The joke elicited laughter.

  • Fraud is an illicit activity.

Enquire vs. Inquire

  • Enquire: general question (more common in British English)

  • Inquire: formal investigation

  • I would like to enquire about the gym membership.

  • The police inquired about the murder.


a tour group on holiday

Tips to Remember the Confusing Words

  • Try to use mnemonics. Mnemonics are tools to help with memory using rhyme, acronyms or association to help you remember. For example, stationery has an 'e' for envelope. Try to see if you can see any of your own.

  • Use visual memory tricks. Visualise pictures in your mind for different words. For example, lead - imagine on holiday a line of people following a tour guide. Try to think of some other pictures for other words.

  • Use spell checkers and grammar tools such as Grammarly to help with any checks.

  • Who v Whom - If you can replace it with he or she, use who; if him or her, use whom.

  • Dessert has 2 's' for 'something sweet'.

  • Principal ends in 'pal'; think of your 'pal' (friend) at school.

  • Loose has 2 'o's'; think 'too loose'.


There are many more similar words like the ones above. Try to use one or two of the tips to help with memorising the words. Because there are so many words, keep consistent with practising and putting them into different sentences and you will soon be using them. If you'd like more help with practising confusing words, book a free trial today.

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