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Gowher Ahmad Naik, Lovely Professional University Unit 15: Vocabulary and Usage : Words often Confused and Misused

Unit 15: Vocabulary and Usage : Words often Notes
Confused and Misused

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
15.1 A list of some words often confused
15.2 Review Questions
15.3 Further Readings

Objectives
After reading this unit students will be able to:
• Understand the words which appear similar but have different meanings.

Introduction

There are certain words and phrases the usage of which generally confuses us. Two words in English
language may have the same meaning while their implied meanings may be different. Good writing
and speaking depend largely on one’s ability to select the right word in the given context. The students
are very often confused when they find two or more words for the same meaning. But these words
differ in usage. For example, in the English language we have two words for the same meaning, e.g.
Crime and Sin. The word crime means ‘an offence, for which there is severe punishment by law’.
Hence we say: ‘The business of the law court is to punish crime’. While sin means ‘an offence against
the principle of morality’. So we say “ ‘Man is liable to sin’.
The users of English should be competent to find the correct word or expression that best suits in a
particular context. This part of the book will enable the students to learn this efficiency. The following
is a list of some commonly confused words. Their meaning and correct usage will be of great help to
all the students.

15.1 A List of Some Words Often Confused

1. Ability (physical or mental power or skill which can be acquired and developed): He has an
ability to be a good carpenter.
Capacity (power which is usually inborn): He has a wonderful capacity for mathematics.
2. Allow (not to refuse): The principal allowed the children to use the calculators in the exams.
Permit (to agree to some action): He was permitted to join the Computer classes.
3. Abstain (from a thing): He abstains from beer and wine.
Refrain (from an action): One should refrain oneself from abusing.
4. Answer (a question is answered): The examiner posed some very difficult questions which the
average students could not answer.
Reply (a letter or a charge is replied to): I immediately replied to his urgent letter.
5. Ancient (opposite of modern): There are several good books on the history of ancient India in
our library.
Old (opposite of new): Old is gold.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 219