Vocabulary Words

These articles focus on vocabulary words in the English language. Use these vocabulary articles to gain useful knowledge and skills to use in English Language teaching programs or general usage. These are great practical grammar exercises that will help you build your vocabulary. English words are often confusing, especially in writing. By learning basic English vocabulary words you will be better equipped to read, write, and speak English using proper grammar and vocabulary.

Vocabulary Words Articles

Me, Myself, and I
Me, Myself, and I. Learn the differences and when to use each variation of me, myself, or I.  Me vs. Myself article which gives examples of usage, when to combine, and common misuses. Me vs. I, Me vs. Myself, and Myself vs. I.

Lose vs. Loose
Loose vs. Lose - keep reading to find the meaning of each and the difference between using lose versus loose. This article also contains the definition for "lose" and the definition for "loose".  Compare when to use lose and loose.

Affect vs. Effect
Affect vs. Effect - learn the differences in meaning, usage, and origins of effect and affect. Find out when to use effect or affect. Also, tips on remembering the difference between affect versus effect.

Accept vs. Except
Except vs. Accept - when to use, how to pronounce, and definitions of each. Find out when to use except or accept - define:except and define:accept. Also, tips on how to remember the difference between accept and except.

A vs. An
A vs. An - when to use A or An. Find the meaning and usage of A versus An. Another grammar lesson in our series: A vs. An. Learn how to use An versus A.

Diffuse vs. Defuse
Defuse versus Diffuse - learn the differences in meaning, in this grammar atricle. Define: Defuse and Define: Diffuse. Also, tips on how to remember the difference between diffuse and defuse.

Passed vs. Past
Another English grammar lesson on Past vs. Passed. Learn when to use past or passed and the differences in meaning. Define:past and Define:passed. Also tips on how to differentiate passed and past.

To vs. Too
Learn the definition of to and too. In this article, to vs. too, we define each and explain the correct usage of to or too. Define:to and Define:too in too versus to.

Than vs Then
When should you use than vs. then? Examples and explanations of when to use than versus then. Learn when to use than or then when compling a sentence. The Then vs. Then lesson will teach you how to differentiate than and then.

Immigration vs Emigration
Do you know the difference between immigration and emigration? In this article we compare immigration vs. emigration, define what immigration and emigration are, and offer tips on how to remember the difference.

Allusion vs Illusion
What is the difference between allusion and illusion? This article compares definitions of allusion vs illusion. Also, tips and tricks on remembering when it is proper to use illusion verses allusion, and distinguishing the difference.

Disburse vs Disperse
What is the difference between disperse and disburse? In this article we compare disburse vs disperse, give definitions of both disperse and disburse, and give you tips on when it is proper to use disperse or disburse.

Discreet vs Discrete
Discreet vs Discrete. Using discrete or discreet and be difficult to distinguish. This article has the definition for both discrete and discreet and tips on distinguishing the difference between discreet versus discrete.

Hoard vs Horde
Hoard vs horde? Neither horde or hoard are words we commonly use, or therefore spell. This article will define both horde and hoard, and hopefully help you next time you ask yourself whether to use horde versus hoard?

Hangar vs Hanger
What is the difference between hangar versus hanger? One can be a metal building found at an airpark the other for hanging clothes. Is hanger or hangar the one to use? This article will help you know when to use hanger vs. hanger.

Loath vs Loathe (and Loth)
Loath vs. Loathe, which one is correct? (or are both?) This article will define both loath and loathe. It will also help you distinguish the difference between loathe versus loath, so next time you will know whether to use loath or loathe.

Marinate vs. Marinade
Are you familiar with the difference between marinade vs. marinate? This article gives definitions for both marinate and marinade. Keep reading for tips and tricks on whether to use marinade or marinate in a sentence.

Reign vs rein
Reign vs rein, one refers to control and the other to royalty. Do you know which is which? This article will define and compare reign, rein, and rain. Next time you will know how to differentiate reign versus rein, and when to use rain.

Levee vs Levy
Levee vs Levy: Do you know the difference between levy versus levee? Keep reading to learn the definition of both levy and levee. This article also contains information on distinguishing, and comparing, levee vs. levy.

Sight, Site, Cite
Although sight, site, and cite are all pronounced the same they have very different meanings. This article will define all three (sight, site,cite). Also, tips and tricks on distinguishing whether to use sight, site, or cite in a sentence.

Set vs Sit
Sit vs. Set - This article contains definitions for sit and set. It gives examples of when sit or set is used as a noun or a verb, also forms of sit and set. Keep reading to learn to distinguish, or compare set versus sit.

Lay vs Lie
Ever get confused between lay vs. lie? This article defines lay and lie, and how to conjugate each in the past and present. Lie versus Lay, tips on distinguishing whether to use lie or lay in a sentence. Keep reading for more on lie vs lay.

Homographs
If more than one word is spelled exactly the same but pronounced differently it is called a homograph. This article has information on homographs and how to identify homographs. Keep reading for more information on homographs.

Patience vs Patients
Do you know the difference between patience vs. patients? This article defines patients and patience and will help you to distinguish the difference when comparing patients versus patience. Keep reading for more on patients vs. patients.

Acronyms
Acronyms are abbreviations for a word or phrase. Acronyms are all around you. There are computer acronyms (CPU), military acronyms (NASA), medical acronyms (AIDS), etc... Keep reading form more information on acronyms.

Homonyms
What is a homonym? This article will help define what a homonym is, give you tips on identifying homonyms, and describe the difference between homonyms, homophones, and homographs. Keep reading for more on homonyms.

Synonyms
What are synonyms? Synonyms are words that have a similar meaning, people often look for synonyms when a word doesn't seem to fit in a sentence. This article will define different types of synonyms and give examples of synonyms.

Antonyms
This article has information on antonyms including, the definition of antonyms, examples of antonyms, complementary pairs and gradable pairs of antonyms, and using multiple antonyms. Keep reading for more on antonyms, and opposites.

Less and Fewer
Less and fewer are two of the words that are referred to as quantifiers. They tell how many or how much. But all quantifiers are not created equal: they have distinct usages. Keep reading for more information on less and fewer.

Uninterested vs Disinterested
Should you use uninterested or disinterested? This article contains the definitions of uninterested and disinterested and provides a comparison of uninterested vs. disinterested. Keep reading for differences in unintered versus disinterested.

Contractions
Contractions are created by combining two or more words. This article defines what a contraction is, gives examples of how contractions are formed, and has a table of common contractions. Keep reading for more on contractions.

Farther vs Further
Farther and further are very similar and often used incorrectly, or synonymously. This article will help define farther and further, give comparisons of when to use farther vs. further, and offer you examples of when to use further or farther.

Capitonym
What is a capitonym? This article will define capitonyms, give a list of common capitonyms, and compare capitonyms that are spelled and pronounced the same, and list capitonyms that are spelled the same but pronounced differently.

Eminent, Imminent, Immanent
Eminent, imminent, and immanent are three very similar words that are easily confused. This article defines eminent, imminent, and immanent, compares the differences in them, and has tips on using imminent, eminent, or immanent.

Proscribe vs Prescribe
This article will define proscribe and prescribe, compare the difference between proscribe vs. prescribe, and give tips on how to differentiate proscribe versus prescribe. Keep reading for more information on proscribe and prescribe.

Polysemes
What are polysemes? This article will define polysemes, compare polysemes versus homographs and homonyms, tell you how to identify polysemes, explain why polysemes are important, and give some examples of important polysemes.

Paronyms
This article will define the meanings of paronyms, show how paronyms can be categorized, give examples of paronyms across languages, and explain false cognates. Keep reading for more information and tips on paronyms.

Principal vs Principle
What is the difference in principal and principle? Keep reading to learn the differences between the two, the definition of "principal" and "principle" and when it is appropriate to use principal vs. principle.

Palindromes
A Palindrome is a word or phrase that reads the same forwards and backwards. This article takes a closer look at palindromes with some simple examples and then gets into some of the more complex palindromes that have been created.

Imply vs Infer
Let’s take a look at imply vs. infer. While the meaning of the two can sometimes seem synonymous, imply and infer are actually antonyms. Read on to learn the difference between an implication and an inference. And why the two are easily confused.

Metaphors
This article talks about what a metaphor is and different kinds of metaphors, including extended metaphors and mixed metaphors. The author also gives examples of metaphors in well known literary works such as those of Shakespeare and Jane Austen.

Similes
A simile is a type of figurative language. In this article you can see a lot of examples of well-known similes, as well as some ideas on how to make your own simile new and fresh. Also, more on why we use similes.

Eponyms
In this article we learn what eponyms are; words that are derived from a person's name. New medical terms are often eponyms but there are many other things that are eponymous words as well. Read this article to see a lot of eponym examples.

All Together vs Altogether
All together vs altogether is an article that discusses several different root words that are joined with the root word "all". Learn how to differentiate between these other easily confused word combinations: already and all ready, all right and alright.

Common Proverbs
Common Proverbs are common sayings that capture basic truths. In this article we learn about some characteristics of common proverbs as well as see a lot of fun examples of some well known sayings that you may not have even known were proverbs.

e.g. vs. i.e.
In this article "e.g. vs i.e." we learn about the differences between "for example" and "that is" and when to use each. It can be confusing trying to decide whether to use ie or eg. Read this i.e. vs. e.g. article for a better understanding of ie vs. eg.

Heteronym
A heteronym is a set of words that have the same spelling, but different pronunciations. A heteronym is similar to homonym and homograph but there are some differences. Read this article to learn more about what a heteronym is and see some examples.

Desert vs Dessert
In this article desert vs. dessert we learn the difference in the two words and the multiple meanings that can be associated with both dessert and desert. There are numerous forms of desert. Read this article to understand more about desert vs. dessert.

Continuous vs Continual
In this continuous vs continual article we take a look at the difference between the words continuous and continual. Get some pointers on how to remember when to use continuous vs continual. Also some information about how constant relates to both words.

Anyone vs Any One
In this article anyone vs any one, we will discuss the differences between anyone and any one and everyone and every one. Learn when it is appropriate to use each form. Get pointers to help you remember when to choose anyone vs any one.

Appraise vs Apprise
In this appraise vs apprise article we learn what both appraise and apprise mean and how we can remember when to use each in English writing and grammar. Also learn more about the word apprize and how it relates to appraise and apprise. Great vocabulary lesson.

Pedal vs Peddle
In this article pedal vs. peddle we will look at the meaning of pedal and peddle. Learn when to use each and tricks to remember the differences between pedal and peddle. Peddle is to sell something, pedal is a device used by the foot to operate something.

Breath vs Breathe
In this breath vs breathe article we look at the th and the endings. Learn more about the meaning, pronunciation, and when to use each form of the word. What is the difference in breath and breathe? Take a deep breath and read on to learn more.

Raise vs Rise
This raise vs rise article will discuss the difference in meaning of raise and rise and when to use raise or rise. Learn about raise and rise as nouns and raise and rise as verbs. Also simple ways to help you remember when to use raise or rise.

Homophones
What are homophones? Read this article for a definition of homophone as well as a homophone list to help you understand homophones better. Also, learn the difference between homophones, homographs, and homonyms and why they are easily confused.

Censor vs Censure
Remembering the difference between censor vs censure can be difficult. Censure can mean "a condemnation" or "official reprimand" where censor is usually a person given authority to examine material to make sure it meets certain standards. Learn more here...

Minor vs Miner
The confusion between minor and miner is an example of an issue stemming from homophonic endings -er and -or. We’ll look at the ending situation in order to provide a larger context in which to better understand how to differentiate the two words.

Beside vs Besides
Read this article to determine the difference in beside vs. besides. See example sentences using beside and besides. Also, learn techniques to help you remember the differences in the two words and when it is appropriate to use beside vs. besides.