Confusable pairs
Some mistakes survive years of fluent English because nobody corrects them. Each page gives you the one-line test that settles the pair, then five sentences to prove you have it.
B1Affect or effect?What is the difference between affect and effect?B2Imply or infer?What is the difference between imply and infer?B1Fewer or less?When do you use fewer and when do you use less?B2Lay or lie?What is the difference between lay and lie?C1Who or whom?When should you use whom instead of who?B2That or which?When do you use that and when do you use which?B2Complement or compliment?What is the difference between complement and compliment?B2Principal or principle?What is the difference between principal and principle?C1Discreet or discrete?What is the difference between discreet and discrete?C1Continual or continuous?What is the difference between continual and continuous?C1Historic or historical?What is the difference between historic and historical?B2Economic or economical?What is the difference between economic and economical?C1Adverse or averse?What is the difference between adverse and averse?C1Disinterested or uninterested?What is the difference between disinterested and uninterested?C1Elicit or illicit?What is the difference between elicit and illicit?C1Flout or flaunt?What is the difference between flout and flaunt?C1Credible, credulous or creditable?What is the difference between credible, credulous and creditable?C1Notable or notorious?What is the difference between notable and notorious?B2Empathy or sympathy?What is the difference between empathy and sympathy?B2Assure, ensure or insure?What is the difference between assure, ensure and insure?C1Alternate or alternative?What is the difference between alternate and alternative?C1Comprise, compose or constitute?What is the difference between comprise, compose and constitute?C2Prescribe or proscribe?What is the difference between prescribe and proscribe?B2Stationary or stationery?What is the difference between stationary and stationery?B2Classic or classical?What is the difference between classic and classical?C1Official or officious?What is the difference between official and officious?