Confusing Pairs

affect vs effect, since vs for, and more

affect vs effect

AFFECT = verb (to influence). EFFECT = noun (the result).

Affect = असर डालना (verb). Effect = असर (noun).

• The weather AFFECTS my mood.
• The EFFECT of caffeine is huge.

accept vs except

ACCEPT = to receive/agree. EXCEPT = excluding / apart from.

Accept = स्वीकार करना. Except = के अलावा.

• I ACCEPT your offer.
• Everyone came EXCEPT John.

advice vs advise

ADVICE = noun (the suggestion). ADVISE = verb (to give the suggestion).

Advice = सलाह (noun). Advise = सलाह देना (verb).

• My ADVICE is to wait.
• I ADVISE you to wait.

lose vs loose

LOSE = to misplace / fail to win. LOOSE = not tight.

Lose = खोना. Loose = ढीला.

• Don't LOSE your keys.
• These pants are LOOSE.

then vs than

THEN = at that time / next. THAN = comparison.

Then = फिर/उसके बाद. Than = से (तुलना में).

• Wash, THEN dry.
• She is taller THAN me.

there / their / they're

THERE = place. THEIR = belongs to them. THEY'RE = they are.

There = वहाँ. Their = उनका. They're = वे हैं.

• The book is THERE.
• It's THEIR car.
• THEY'RE coming soon.

your vs you're

YOUR = belongs to you. YOU'RE = you are.

Your = तुम्हारा. You're = तुम हो.

• Is this YOUR pen?
• YOU'RE late!

its vs it's

ITS = belongs to it (no apostrophe). IT'S = it is.

Its = इसका. It's = यह है.

• The dog wagged ITS tail.
• IT'S raining.

much vs many

MUCH = uncountable (water, time, money). MANY = countable (books, friends, hours).

Much = uncountable. Many = countable.

• How MUCH money?
• How MANY books?

few vs little

FEW = countable (a few friends). LITTLE = uncountable (a little water).

Few = थोड़े (count). Little = थोड़ा (uncount).

• I have a FEW questions.
• I need a LITTLE help.

fewer vs less

FEWER = countable. LESS = uncountable. (Many people get this wrong even in writing.)

Fewer = countable. Less = uncountable.

• FEWER people came.
• LESS time available.

amount vs number

AMOUNT = uncountable. NUMBER = countable.

Amount = uncountable. Number = countable.

• A large AMOUNT of water.
• A large NUMBER of students.

between vs among

BETWEEN = 2 things. AMONG = 3 or more.

Between = for two things. Among = for three or more.

• BETWEEN you and me.
• AMONG the three options.

bring vs take

BRING = movement towards speaker. TAKE = movement away from speaker.

Bring = carry it here. Take = carry it away.

• BRING me a glass.
• TAKE this to your room.

borrow vs lend

BORROW = receive (from someone). LEND = give (to someone).

Borrow = उधार लेना. Lend = उधार देना.

• Can I BORROW your pen?
• I'll LEND you my pen.

come vs go

COME = movement towards listener/speaker. GO = movement away.

Come = towards the speaker. Go = away from the speaker.

• Are you coming to my party?
• I'm GOING home.

say vs tell

SAY = no person needed. TELL = needs a person object.

Say = बोलना. Tell = किसी को बताना.

• He SAID hello.
• He TOLD me a story.

make vs do

MAKE = create/produce something. DO = perform an action.

Make = बनाना. Do = करना.

• MAKE breakfast / a decision.
• DO homework / your job.

stationary vs stationery

STATIONARY = not moving. STATIONERY = pens, paper, office supplies.

StationAry = स्थिर. StationEry = कागज़-पेन.

• The car was STATIONARY.
• I bought STATIONERY for school.

complement vs compliment

COMPLEMENT = goes well with. COMPLIMENT = praise.

Complement = साथ अच्छा लगना. Compliment = तारीफ़.

• The wine COMPLEMENTS the food.
• She gave me a COMPLIMENT.

Practise

Related lessons

• The 12 TensesMaster all 12 English tenses with Hindi comparison
• ConnectorsLink ideas naturally — and, but, because, although
• Articles & Prepositionsa, an, the and the tricky little words
• Modal Verbscan, could, should, must, would — used right