10 commonly confused words

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Studying just enough to pass my grammar tests in sixth grade, I now find myself pausing mid-sentence to Google the difference between seemingly similar words. 

Here I present fairly common word confusions, and how to fix them. I hope to post in the future on some more advanced vocab, with the point that if you want to use these fancy words, you better use them right! 

The explanation for each word is best illustrated in contrast with the other.

May vs Might

• May: used in the situation of something possible, factual, or could be factual. 
  
  
• ​Might: express hypothetical, remotely possible, or speculative situations. 

Examples
​"Laura may go to the concert tomorrow night." 

"Laura might go to the concert tomorrow night, but she has the flu."

Lie vs Lay

These get confusing for non-native English speakers because of their overlap in present and past tense, but here, in present tense, use "lay" when there is a direct object receiving its action.

​Examples
"I am going to go lie down for a nap." 
​
"Can you please lay that book down and pay attention to me?"

​Elicit vs Illicit

• Elicit: to draw out
  
  
• Illicit: unlawful, illegal

Examples
"I tried to elicit what my mother wanted for her birthday over coffee."

"Tom engages in a number of illicit activities."

Ensure vs Assure

• Ensure: to make circumstances certain, to make a guarantee, a solid reason 
• Assure: to relieve someone of doubts, to persuade someone 

Examples
"I packed plenty of snacks for the road trip to ensure we would not have to stop for food."

"Tom assured Laura that everything would be alright."

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​Neither to be confused with "insure", which refers to insurance, which provides compensation.

Deduce vs Induce

• Deduce: to draw a specific conclusion from a general principle, or to narrow down a general group to a specific idea or person
  
  
• Induce: to derive a general principle from a specific observation. Can also be used meaning "to bring about an effect" such as inducing labor with certain drugs.

Examples
"From the list of guests at the party, Sherlock eventually deduced that half could not have possibly carried the heavy vase up the stairs."

"Paul induced that everyone in the town was friendly, because the waitress at the diner was so nice to him."

Note that these sentences above are pretty awkward. Usually we would use a verb such as "infer" or "figured out" and the context will point you to whether the subject is using deduction or induction. Knowing the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning as concepts are good to know.

Imply vs Infer

• Imply: to express something indirectly
  
  
• Infer: to conclude from indirect evidence

Examples
"Jennifer implied she was not comfortable by abruptly changing the subject."

"Danny inferred that Jennifer was not comfortable since she abruptly changed the subject."

​You imply something as a speaker, or do-er. The recipient infers from what you implied.

Allude vs Elude

• Allude: to make an indirect reference
  
  
• Elude: to evade, to escape from

Examples
"Amy alluded to my wedding disaster by casually mentioning how important it is to hire a wedding planner."

"Elena eluded Diane in an intense game of hide and seek."

Effect vs Affect

• Effect: a consequence
• Affect: to make a difference in something (verb)

Examples
"Physics is a study in cause and effect."

"In order to affect policy, you must utilize a variety of methods."

Note that in psychology, affect is used as a noun to describe someone's demeanor. "She exhibits flat affect."
Also, effects can refer to personal belongings, or a state of being operative. 

"Johnny collected his effects before sneaking out of Amy's apartment."

​"The water treatment plan is now in effect."

Among vs Between

• Among: discussing a group of general items or about something in a collective manner, or for a group of people
• Between: choosing between discrete, individual items 

Examples
"Samantha is trying to decide between Alabama, Clemson, and Florida for college."

"Natalie chose among the chocolate desserts."

Some people say "between" is for 2 items, and "among" is for more than 2 items but that is not technically correct. Additionally, there are instances where you may use "choose from" instead of "choose between" or "choose among" though the context is the driving factor in these word choices.

Further vs Farther

• Further: to a greater degree
• Farther: in relation to a physical distance 

Examples
"The assignment was to read 5 chapters, but Amanda went further and read 7 chapters".

​"Timmy planned to run 2 miles, but went farther and ran almost 4 miles."

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I am not an expert in grammar or vocabulary. If you have any suggestions or corrections, please let me know. 

Get to it!
Bailey

P.S. If some of these remain confusing to you, I encourage you to search for "[word 1] vs [word 2] example".