Lesson 70

Commonly Confused Words in English II

Here is another list of popular English word pairs that confuse absolutely everyone. Their meaning and examples are provided below. 

Capital vs. Capitol

Capital means the most important city or town of a country or region, usually its seat of government and administrative center.

• Australia’s capital city is Canberra.
  
  

Capitol is the building in which the US Congress meets.

• The Capitol is a magnificent building.

Coarse vs. Course

Coarse means rough or loose in texture or grain.

• My clothes were made of coarse cloth.
  
  

Course a set of classes or a plan of study on a particular subject, usually leading to an exam or qualification

• They’re going away on a training course next week.
  
  
  Emigrate vs. Immigrate
  
  

Emigrate means leave one’s own country in order to settle permanently in another.

• He’s decided to emigrate and start a new life in America.
  
  

Immigrate means come to live permanently in a foreign country.

• They had no choice but to immigrate.
  
  
  Ensure vs. Insure
  
  

Ensure means make certain that (something) shall occur or be the case.

• I will ensure that the car arrives by six o’clock.

Insure means arrange for compensation in the event of damage to or loss of (property), or injury to or the death of (someone), in exchange for regular advance payments to a company or government agency.

• It is advisable to insure your life against accident.

 

Farther vs. Further

Farther means to a greater distance.

• The cinema was farther down the road than I thought.
  
  

Further means to a greater distance or degree, or at a more advanced level.

• We expect to see further improvement over the coming year.
  
  
  Fewer vs. Less
  
  

Fewer means used to emphasize how small a number of people or things is.

Women commit fewer crimes than men.

Less means a smaller amount of; not as much.

• Do you pay less tax if you’re self-employed?