Mixing up Words That Sound the Same part 1

One of the great things about the English language is its extraordinary depth. It has so many words that there seems to be one assigned to every possible sliver of an idea; every shade or nuance of meaning is covered. The difficulty with this, how-ever, is that many of these nuances escape us, and we mistake one word for another—we make usage errors. In the next three chapters, we’ll take a magnifying glass to pairs of words that are often confused and identify their precise meanings so that you’ll know when and how to use them correctly.
This chapter will consider words that we mix up because they sound almost the same. One little letter can make a big difference!

Accept vs. Except

Don’t Say: All the men wore ties accept for Louis.
Say Instead: All the men wore ties except for Louis.

Here’s Why: “Accept” means to receive something or to agree to it as valid. “Except” means to exclude. In this sentence we are talking about excluding Louis from the group of men who wore ties, not receiving him, so “except” is correct. Additional correct examples are:

We accept your invitation.

Sally accepted all the applause.

Jerry came with all his former wives, except Marie.

Stuart was excepted from the meeting because he

couldn’t be trusted.


Advice vs. Advise

Don’t Say: My advise to you is to stop eating Maureen’s Irish chili.
Say Instead: My advice to you is to stop eating Maureen’s Irish chili.

Here’s Why: “Advise” is a verb, meaning the action of providing someone with counsel or suggestions on how she should behave. “Advice” is the noun meaning the suggestions themselves. You advise a person to do something. That some¬thing is the advice you offer. In this sentence, we’re referring not to the action of offering a suggestion, but to the suggestion itself, namely that no more of this chili should be eaten. So the noun “advice” is right. Additional correct examples are:

Take my advice.

Problem students were advised by Mrs. Stanley.

As a first-year law student, Peter’s legal advice wasn’t all that trustworthy.

How dare you advise me to quit the same job you made me take!


Affect vs. Effect

Don’t Say: Larry was deeply effected by the new rule forbidding beef jerky on the job.
Say Instead: Larry was deeply affected by the new rule forbidding beef jerky on the job.

Here’s Why: The verb “affect” means to influence or to touch the feelings of someone, which is clearly what happened in this sentence with poor Larry. The verb “effect” is incorrect here because it means to bring something about, to cause some¬thing. “Effect” can also be a noun used to identify the result, the thing that has been brought about, as in The effects of smoking are bad. Here are some additional correct examples featuring “affect” and “effect”:

Jane effected major design changes when she took over.
(Jane brought the changes about.)

Jane’s new decor affected us all.
(The decor influenced or touched everyone.)

His stories affect me very deeply.
(They influence or touch me.)

The effects of this spending cut are unknown.
(Here “effects” is a noun, meaning the results.)


Amoral vs. Immoral

Don’t Say: Her amoral behavior was a bad influence on the children.
Say Instead: Her immoral behavior was a bad influence on the children.

Here’s Why: “Amoral” means to be completely outside the question of morality, neither good nor bad. “Immoral” means to be inside the boundaries, but to choose the wrong side. It means behavior that is not moral. In the example sentence, the meaning is that the mother’s behavior is bad, so “immoral” is the word we want. Here are more correct examples:

Babies are amoral when they’re born.

She thought her charitable donations compensated for her immoral acts.

Does Bobby’s autism make him amoral, or does he understand the concepts of right and wrong?

He seems too kind to have done such an immoral thing.



Averse vs. Adverse

Don’t Say: The pills made him green, but had no other averse effects.
Say Instead: The pills made him green, but had no other adverse effects.

Here’s Why: “Averse” means to be in opposition. “Ad¬verse” means unfavorable or bad. If it helps you, think of “bad” rhyming with the first syllable of “adverse.” In this case, where we’re talking about bad side effects, the word we want is “ad¬verse.” Additional correct examples are:
She was averse to all his opinions. The pilot landed the plane under adverse conditions. The court seems averse to that interpretation of the law. He stopped writing after all the adverse criticism of his first book.


Beside vs. Besides

Don’t Say: Hey, others beside you want to get through this checkout line.
Say Instead: Hey, others besides you want to get through this checkout line.

Here’s Why: “Beside” without an “s” means to be at the side of. “Besides” with an “s” means in addition to, or more¬over, as in our sentence here, where the idea is that others in addition to the person being rebuked would like to get through the line. Here are more correct examples:

He’s smart and handsome and rich besides.

Well, I’ll sit beside him, but I don’t have to like it.

Besides Lynn, there will be four people going today.

Please put the sofa down beside the chair, or maybe beside the table, or wait—maybe beside the window.


Biannually vs. Biennially

Don’t Say: The PTA elections were held biannually—in even numbered years.
Say Instead: The PTA elections were held biennially—in even numbered years.

Here’s Why: This one’s tricky: Both words begin with the prefix “bi-,” which means two. But “biennially” means every two years, and “biannually” means twice a year. If it helps you, think of the “annual” in “biannually” as a reminder that you’re talking about a single year’s worth of time. Here are two other correct examples:

The biannual status report comes out each January and June.

Enjoy these blooms now—they’re biennials, so they won’t be here next spring.