A Letter or Two Apart

WORD WISE
A Letter or Two Apart
Word twosomes that look alike and sound alike but mean different things

The two words in pairings below either look alike or sound alike, but they don’t mean the same thing.

ACCEPT VS EXCEPT
Accept is a verb that can mean one of two things: (1) to agree to receive something, such as a job offer or gift; or (2) to believe or come to recognize that an opinion or explanation is valid or correct. Except is a preposition that means “not including” or “but not”.

I am deeply honored to accept (receive) this award.

I liked everything about the movie I saw last night except for (but not) the ending.

Reminder: Good ACCountants ACCept suggestions, EXCEPT during tax season.

ADAPT VS ADOPT
Adapt has two meanings: (1) to adjust to and, by doing so, make the best of a new situation, in which case it should always be followed by “to”; or (2) to change something in response to different conditions or uses, in which case it is usually followed by “from”. Adopt means to take on as one’s own, and should never be followed by either “from” or “to”.

Successful people can usually adapt (make the best of) to unexpected challenges.

The movie I saw last night was adapted (derived from) a best-selling novel

We recently adopted (took on as our own) a rescue dog.

Reminder: When you adOPT a pet, you need to adAPT to the responsibilities of pet ownership.

ADVERSE VS AVERSE
Both of these adjectives suggest negativity—but in different ways. Adverse means “negative”, “unfavorable” or “unfortunate”, and should never be followed by “to”. Averse (followed by “to”) means having a feeling of distaste or dislike toward something.

I had an adverse (strongly negative) reaction to the medicine I took last night, but I am not averse to (against) the idea of taking it again.
Reminder: No need to ADD “TO” to an ADverse reaction. Writers who don’t like poetry are AVerse to writing VERSE.

ALLUSION VS ILLUSION
An allusion is a direct or implied reference to something. An illusion creates a false picture of reality.

The book I am now reading is filled with allusions (references ) to the Civil War.

Magicians are usually skilled at creating illusions (false representations of reality).

Reminder: An ALLUSION ALLUDES to something. An ILLUSION is an ILLUStration that isn’t there.

ALL READY VS ALREADY 
All ready means completely prepared. Already refers to actions that have been completed at an earlier time.

I am all ready (completely prepared) to get started on this project, because I have already bought (completed at an earlier time) the materials I need.

Reminder: AL has ALREADY submitted his report. ALL of us will soon be READY to do the same.

APPRAISE VS APPRISE
Appraise is a verb that means to estimate the value of something. Apprise, also a verb, means to make someone aware of something. It is usually followed by a prepositional phrase that begins with “of”.

We have a developed a new app that accurately appraises (estimates) the value of many household items.

As soon as I hear from Harry, I will apprise (inform) Tom and Dick of the situation.

Reminder: When you have been APPRISED of a situation, you are rarely surPRISED by the outcome.

CLIMATIC VS CLIMACTIC
Climatic means weather-related. Climactic describes the most significant moment in an event, especially when it brings things to an exciting climax.

Climatic (weather related) issues are very much in the news these days.

The climactic (most significant) moment in the movie occurs when the puppet Pinocchio recognizes that he has become a boy.

Reminder: cliMATic refers to CLIMATE. CliMACTIC brings things to CLIMAX.

COMPLIMENT VS COMPLEMENT
Both words can operate as either a noun or a verb. Compliment as a verb means to say or write something in praise of someone. As a noun, it refers to whatever has been said or written to deliver the praise. Complement can operate as a noun or a verb. As a noun, it has two meanings: (1) a quantity of something; or (2) something that enhances or improves something else.

I would like to compliment (say something flattering about) you on the way you handle yourself in stressful situations.

I appreciate the compliment (a flattering thing that was said or written) you gave me yesterday afternoon.

The personalities of your twin sisters complement (blend well together) each other.

Reminder: You shouldn’t LIe when you’re paying someone a compLIiment. SimPLE touches often comPLEment the beauty of a room.

DEFUSE VS DIFFUSE
Defuse (pronounced as if the word were spelled “deefuze”, and with an accent on the second syllable) is a verb that means to reduce the danger or lessen the tension of a difficult situation. Diffuse (with a stronger accent on the second syllable) can function as either an adjective or a verb. As an adjective, it means to spread out or scatter a large grouping of anything concentrated in a single place. As a verb, it refers to the action that reduces that concentration level of the people or objects that are bunched together.

Mediators are trained to defuse (lessen the hostility level) between the parties in a dispute.

The concert promoters did a good of diffusing (spreading out) the standing-room only crowd at last night’s concert.

Reminder: Associate DEFUSE with taking out a FUSE. Associate DIFFUSE with breaking up a crowd that reFUSES to leave.

DISCREET VS DISCRETE
Discreet describes people who can be counted upon on to keep a secret. Discrete means separate from something else.

In light of the sensitivity of the issue we have been discussing, I hope you will be discreet. (You’ll keep it to yourself).

The microphone I just bought has three discrete (separate) components.

Reminder: Double the E when you want to keep a SECRET.

ELICT VS ILLCIT
Elicit means to draw a response from. Illicit means unlawful and underhanded.

The defense attorney was able to elicit (draw out) important information from her final witness.

The James gang has been accused of using illicit (unlawful) banking practices.

Reminder: ILLicit actions are ILL advised and ELIcit bad pubLICITy.

FARTHER VS FURTHER
Farther refers to geographical distance. Further is a synonym for “in addition to” or “More”.

The office where I now work is farther (a greater distance)) from my home than the office I used to work in.

Let’s not make a final decision until we can talk further (more) about the costs.

Reminder: Associate FARther with FAR, and FUrther with furtherMORE.

EXPLICIT VS IMPLICIT
Explicit means stated clearly and with sufficient detail to avoid misunderstanding or confusion. Implicit means implied, as opposed to expressed. refers to geographical distance. Further is a synonym for “in addition to” or “More”.

The office where I now work is farther (a greater distance)) from my home than the office I used to work in.

Let’s not make a final decision until we can talk further (more) about the costs.

Reminder: Associate FARther with FAR, and FUrther with furtherMORE.

MARITAL VS MARTIAL
Marital relates to marriage. Martial refers to military matters.

Marital (related to marriage) relationships differ from one culture to the next.

Classes in the martial (military) arts are more popular today than ever.

Reminder: MARIe and her husband MARIo are having MARItal problems My friend MARTIn teaches in a MARTIal arts studio.

PERSONAL VS PERSONNEL.
Personal (with an accent on the first syllable) refers to anything that is to unique to an individual. Personnel (with an accent on the last syllable) refers to the people employed by an organization—and also describes a department in large companies.

I have some strong personal (relating to me alone) feelings about this issue.

The Personnel (people-related) Department in our company is being expanded.

Reminder: AL is a persoNAL friend. My friend ANNie works in the PersonNNEL department.

PERSPECTIVE VS PROSPECTIVE
Perspective (with an accent on the second syllable) means a way of thinking or point of view about something. Prospective (with an accent on the first syllable) means potential” or in the future.

I’m interested in getting your perspective (your way of thinking) on what’s going on in the world today.

I have a promising number of prospective (potential) buyers for my bubble gum card collection.

Reminder. A PERSpective is your PERSonal view. A sales PRO is good at bringing in PROspective clients.

PRINCIPAL VS PRINCIPLE
Principal can function as either a noun or an adjective. As a noun, it has two meanings: (1) someone who holds a high position in an organization or an educational system”; or (2) a sum of money that, when invested or borrowed, either earns or is charged interest”. As an adjective, it means “highly important”. Principle refers to a fundamental belief or rule that is the basis of conduct.

My uncle was a principal (partner)) in a law firm, but he is now the principal (leader) of a high school.

The principal (what I owe) on my loan is $500.

The principal (main) reason behind our decision to cancel the concert is the bad weather.

But:
One of the core principles basic beliefs of the company I work for is to reward employees who make our customers feel like family members.
Reminder: The princiPAL of the high school I attended is now a PAL of mine. PrincIPLES are self-imposed ruLES.

PROSTATE VS PROSTRATE
Prostate is a noun that names the male gland located near the bladder. Prostrate can function as either a verb or an adjective. In either situation, it means lying face down on the ground.

A swollen prostate (gland) can cause discomfort.

Commoners during the Middle Ages were expected to prostrate themselves (lie flat with their faces to the ground) in the presence of the King.

Reminder: Associate proSTATE with the STATE of pain. Associate prosTRATE with FLAT RATE.

QUALITATIVE VS QUANTITATIVE
 Qualitative refers to findings and judgments that are based on observations and opinions, as opposed to scientific measurement. Quantitative refers to evidence that can be measured.

Our conclusions so far are based mainly on the qualitative (non-numerical) measurable) data to support those conclusions.

Reminder: QUALitative emphasizes QUALITY. QUANtitative emphasizes QUANTity.

RELUCTANT VS RETICENT
Reluctant means hesitant, unwilling, or not inclined to do something. Reticent means “tight-lipped”.

Nero is usually reluctant (hesitant) to talk about his violin lessons. He also becomes reticent (tight-lipped) when the subject of a conversation turns to gladiator contests.)

Reminder: Associate relucTANT with hesiTANT. Associate retiCENT with silENCE.

STATIONARY VS STATIONERY
Stationary is an adjective that means fixed in one place. Stationery is a noun that refers to paper and office products.

You need to remain stationary (“in a fixed position”) when you assume a yoga pose.

You can usually buy stamps in a stationery store.

Reminder: Associate stationERY with paPER.

THAN VS THEN
Than is a conjunction that means “apart from”. It is commonly used in comparisons. Then can mean one of two things: afterward or when.

You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. (“Flies” and “vinegar” are being compared.)

We should first create a plan, Then (afterward) we can get started.

Reminder: THEN suggests WHEN. THAN follows MORE.
Practice

Decide which of the two answer options in the questions that follow is the better (and more precise) choice.