There are many word pairs in English that sound the same but mean something totally different. Here are 10 such confusing word pairs of English along with their usage.
English words you need to stop confusing today
1. Already vs All ready
Already
Meaning: by this time
Example: just stop already, no one feels sorry for you.
All ready
Meaning: fully prepared
Example: The guest room is all ready for your friends visiting tonight.
2. Beside vs Besides
Beside
Meaning: close to; next to
Example: He commissioned work from other artists beside Minton.
Besides
Meaning: except for; in addition
Example: I’m capable of doing the work, and a lot more besides.
3. Everyday vs Every day
Everyday
Meaning: routine; commonplace; ordinary
Example: Everyday chores like shopping and housework.
Every day
Meaning: each day; succession
Example: I get up at six every day.
4. Later vs Latter
Later
Meaning: afterwards
Example: I will finish my chores later.
Latter
Meaning: the second of two things or two options
Example: The latter half of 1989.
5. Your vs You’re
Your
Meaning: Possessive form of the word ‘you’
Example: what is your name?
You’re
Meaning: Shorter form or contraction of “you are”
Example: you’re an angel, Deb!
6. Altogether vs All together
Altogether
Meaning: thoroughly
Example: I stopped seeing her altogether.
All together
Meaning: everyone/everything in one place
Example: We are going to tour the city tomorrow all together.
7. Its vs It’s
Its
Meaning: Possessive form of ‘it’, means “of it”
Example: A baby in its mother’s womb.
It’s
Meaning: Shorter form or contraction of “it is”
Example: It’s a nice day today.
8. All right vs Alright
All right
Meaning: adequate; permissible; satisfactory
Example: Is it all right if we leave early tomorrow?
Alright
Meaning: It is a misspelling of ‘all right’
Example: –
9. Farther vs Further
Farther
Meaning: At a greater distance
Example: The house was not too far away.
Further
Meaning: in greater depth
Example: We had walked further than I realized.
10. Whose vs Who’s
Whose
Meaning: Possessive form of the word ‘who’
Example: He’s a man whose opinion I respect.
Who’s
Meaning: Shorter form or contraction of “who is”
Example: Who’s got the time?
