Confusing Words – English by Vesna

Motif vs Motive

Motif a shape or pattern, especially one that is repeated in a design or decoration *traditional motifs *a flower motif Motive a reason for doing something *The motive for the murder is still unknown.

Vain vs Vein

Homophones Vain/veɪn/(adjective) too proud of yourself *He is vain about his good looks. unsuccessful or useless *It was a vain attempt to forget her. Vein/veɪn/(noun) A tube in a body that carries blood to the heart. *She is in my veins.

Desert vs Dessert

Homonym and Homophones Desert /ˈdezə(r)t/ (noun) a large area of land covered with sand or rocks, with little water and few plants *The Sahara Desert Desert /dɪˈzɜː(r)t/ (verb) to leave the army without permission with no intention of returning *He deserted the army without thinking of the consequences. to leave someone without help or inContinue reading “Desert vs Dessert”

Naval vs Navel

Homophones naval /ˈneɪv(ə)l/ – belonging/relating to a country’s navy *a naval battle/officer or naval forces navel /ˈneɪv(ə)l/ – a small round part in the middle of the stomach where we were separated from our mothers at birth

Own vs Owe

own – to possess something that legally belongs to you *She owns three houses. owe – to have to pay or give something to someone because you borrowed money from them or they have done something for you *She still owes some money on her house.

Lie

Homonym lie (lay/lain) – to be/put yourself into horizontal position *He was too tired so he lay on the bed and fell asleep. lie (lied/lied) – to say something that is not true to deliberately deceive someone *She lied about her age and job.

Lie vs Lay

lie (lying/lay/lain) – to be or put yourself into a horizontal position on a surface. *She was lying on the beach. lay (laying/laid/laid) – to put someone or something in a flat or horizontal position, usually in a careful way. *She laid her babies on the bed.

Wander vs Wonder

wander – to walk around slowly from place to place, in a relaxed way, especially without any clear purpose or direction *He wandered the city when she met him. wonder – to think about something because you want to know more facts about it *She wondered how he managed to find her.

Rise vs Raise

rise (rose/risen) – to move upwards or to a higher position *The balloons rose into the air. raise (raised/raised) – to put something in a higher position *If you want to ask a question, please raise your hands!