Tag Archives: confused words

Word of the Day

Confused Words: Seize vs Cease

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A few days ago, I asked a friend to read a story I wrote. I had edited the story over ten times, yet failed to spot a fatal mistake. I have misplaced the word seized with ceased, twice! So today, I’m helping you, and myself, never forget the difference.

Seize [seez] (verb):

1. to take hold by force; grasp.

2. to grasp mentally.

3. to take possession or control by suddenly laying hold.

Example:

Panic seized the crowd when the lights in the theater went out.

Cease [sees] (verb):

1. to stop or discontinue; to come to an end.

2. to pass away; die out.

Example:

I was about to walk into my house when I ceased . Something was staring at me from my bedroom window.

I noticed that the sentences I write as examples can well serve as writing prompts. So I suggest you pick one, write a story — no longer than 500 words — about it, and send it to me on the email I posted on “Contact me” page. I will pick the ones I like the most, post them and link back to the bloggers. Start writing! 🙂

Word of the Day

Confused Words: Ensure Vs. Insure

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Today, I’m posting the differences between another set of commonly confused words.

Ensure [en-shoor, –shur]  (verb):

1. to secure, or guarantee.

2. to make secure or safe.

Note: The prefix “en” means “to cause” or “to make”.

Example:

He took all the necessary precautions to ensure that his heist would go undisturbed.

Insure [in-shoor, –shur] (verb):

1. to secure against loss of harm.

2. to secure indemnity in case of loss, or damage.

3. to issue or process an insurance policy.

Note: Think “insurance”.

Example:

The only ones who care about your health are the ones who pay to insure it.

What are some other words your are confused about?

Word of the Day

Lookalikes: Impede Vs. Impend

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flat,220x200,075,tToday’s similarly written words have no similarities when it comes to meaning. I used to mix up those two words sometimes.

Impede [im-peed] (verb):

to hinder or obstruct.

Example:

My online window shopping spreeimpeded my work on my graduation.

Impend [im-pend] (verb):

1. to be imminent or about to happen.

2. to threaten or menace.

Example:

I summoned all my energy and focus as the deadline to my graduation project impended.

Word of the Day

Misunderstood: Contented Vs. Contentious

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No, Contentious is not derived from content. It’s not its adjective. It’s not another noun with the same meaning. It’s a totally different word that has a totally different meaning.

Content [kuhn-tent] or Contented [kuhn-ten-tid] (adj.):

satisfied, contempt, agreeing.

Example:

You can’t bribe me with your money, I’m contented with my own.

Contentious [kuhn-ten-shuhs] (adj.):

1. argumentative, quarrelsome.

2. causing argument or strife.

Example:

When the issue became contentious, the negotiation had to be halted until both parties regained their composure.

Word of the Day

Lookalikes III: Emerge Vs. Immerge

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This is another set of words I commonly confuse. Turns out, they are not only pronounced alike but they are, more or less, antonyms.

Emerge [ih-murj] (verb):

1. to come forth into view or notice.

2. to rise, as from difficulty.

3. to come into existence.

Example:

Little bubbles emerged on the surface of the water. “Someone’s down there,” he yelled, “and he’s breathing.”

Immerge [ih-murj] (verb):

1. to plunge, as into fluid.

2. to disappear by entering into a medium, as the moon into the shadow of the sun.

(Think Immerse)

Example:

Having arrived at a dead end, Sergey caught his breath and immerged himself under the surface of the pond.