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Lesson: Frequently confused words

Accept/except - Aisle/isle - Allowed/aloud

Some words in the English language sound similar to other words, and because of that are sometimes confused. Below are several words that are frequently confused, including an example for each.

Accept/except Accept (verb) means to agree to do or receive. Here is an example: I decided to accept the help on my term paper. Except (preposition) means but or excluding. Here is an example: I took all of the pieces except one.

Aisle/isle Aisle (noun) means a passage between two sections. Here is an example: There was a small aisle between the seats on the airplane. Isle (noun) is an island. Here is an example: I want to move to a deserted isle to get away from people.

Allowed/aloud Allowed (verb) is the past tense of allow, which means permit. Here is an example: I was not allowed to go to the party. Aloud (adv.) means out loud. Here is an example: I read the book aloud because the children could not read.

Written for eslteachersboard.com by Janessa D. Castle, Lecturer at The Ohio State University - School of Communication