Confused Words Quiz

effect vs. affect

• Seeing abandoned pets always

  strongly effects Benjamin.

• Seeing abandoned pets always

  strongly affects Benjamin.

Answer explanation

effect (noun) = result

affect (verb) = to influence

capitol vs. capital

• • We will be generating capital through

  • a round of targeted fundraising.

• • We will be generating capitol through

  • a round of targeted fundraising.

Answer explanation

capitol (noun) = state building

capital (noun) = money

pass vs. past

• • I think we’re passed

  • the point of no return.

• • I think we’re past

  • the point of no return.

Answer explanation

past (noun/adjective/adverb) = gone by in time/an earlier period of time

pass (verb) = to move or proceed

lie vs. lay

• Unfold the blanket and

  lay it on the floor.

• Unfold the blanket and

  lie it on the floor.

Answer explanation

lay (verb) = to put/set something down (must take a direct object)

lie (verb) = to be in a horizontal position

loose vs. lose

• I always manage to loose my 

  lose-fitting tank top.

• I always manage to lose my 

  loose-fitting tank top.

Answer explanation

lose (verb) = to be unable to find

loose (adjective) = not tight/not strict

climatic vs. climactic

• The skies were shattered with

  a final climatic crash of thunder.

• The skies were shattered

  with a final climactic crash of thunder.

Answer explanation

climatic (adjective) = relating to climate

climactic (adjective) = most exciting and important

distract vs. detract

• Joey's negative comments about my work detract from my professional reputation.

• Joey's negative comments about my work distract from my professional reputation.

Answer explanation

distract (verb) = to draw attention away from

detract (verb) = to take away a part from/to diminish

corroborate vs. collaborate

• In the long history of humankind and animal kind, those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.

• In the long history of humankind and animal kind, those who learned to corroborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.

Answer explanation

corroborate (verb) = to strengthen/support/confirm with evidence

collaborate (verb) = to cooperate/work jointly with others

imminent vs. eminent

• There are plenty of sobering presentations by imminent academics that will make you realize how big the cuts we need to make are.

• There are plenty of sobering presentations by eminent academics that will make you realize how big the cuts we need to make are.

Answer explanation

imminent (adjective) = something that is about to happen

eminent (adjective) = standing above others in quality or position

excess vs. access

• The ring should be just at the excess hole without access strap material protruding.

• The ring should be just at the access hole without excess strap material protruding.

Answer explanation

access (noun/verb) = ability to enter/to enter

excess (noun/adjective) = amount that is more than usual or necessary