The following words are often confused.
1The war had a dramatic ............... on oil prices.
Wrong!
Use the noun "effect" to mean a result or influence.
2Did the war ............... oil prices?
Wrong!
Use the verb "affect" to mean influence or change something.
3Travel can be an excellent ............... to one's education.
Wrong!
A "complement" is something that completes or improves another thing.
4The hostess received glowing ............... on the dinner.
Wrong!
"Compliments" are expressions of praise.
5I made ............... inquiries about his credit rating.
Wrong!
"Discreet" means careful and not likely to attract attention.
6Churchill was one of the world's most ............... statesmen.
Wrong!
"Eminent" means famous, respected, and important.
7A storm is ...............
Wrong!
"Imminent" means about to happen very soon.
8Writing ad copy was a ............... of her creative talent.
Wrong!
"Misuse" means wrong or unsuitable use.
9Parts of the document are faded and ...............
Wrong!
"Illegible" means impossible or difficult to read.
10Mirrors give an ............... of more space in a room.
Wrong!
An "illusion" is a false or misleading impression.
11The teacher made an ............... to Shakespeare.
Wrong!
An "allusion" is an indirect reference to something.
12The student did ............... research before writing the term paper.
Wrong!
"Exhaustive" means very thorough and complete.
Answers
- The war had a dramatic effect on oil prices.
- Did the war affect oil prices?
- Travel can be an excellent complement to one’s education.
- The hostess received glowing compliments on the dinner.
- I made discreet inquiries about his credit rating.
- Churchill was one of the world’s most eminent statesmen.
- A storm is imminent.
- Writing ad copy was a misuse of her creative talent.
- Parts of the document are faded and illegible.
- Mirrors give an illusion of more space in a room.
- The teacher made an allusion to Shakespeare.
- The student did exhaustive research before writing the term paper.