Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Commonly Misused Words
Commonly Misused Words
M A N Y WO R D S I N T H E E N G L I S H L A N G UAG E A R E
C O M M O N LY M I S U S E D B E C A U S E T H E Y S O U N D
S I M I L A R , Y E T T H E Y H AV E D I F F E R E N T S P E L L I N G
A N D M E A N I N G ( H O M O N Y M S ) . O T H E R W O R D S M AY
NOT SOUND ALIKE, YET MIGHT STILL BE
CONFUSING.
Homonyms
v Elicit, Illicit – Elicit means to bring out, draw out, or evoke. Illicit means
illegal.
Example:
Nothing the teacher said could elicit a response from the child.
He is in jail for illicit drugs.
v That, Which – That usually introduces as essential phrase that is not set off by
commas; which introduces a non-essential phrase that is set off by commas.
Example:
This is the room that we were looking for. (essential)
The old car, which I’ve had for years, has finally broken down. (not essential)
v Comprise, Compose – The whole comprises (or includes) the parts; and the
parts compose (or make up) the whole.
Example:
The United States comprises fifty states.
Organic compounds compose the fertilizer used by the farmer.
v Lie, Lay – Lie means to recline or rest on a surface; its principal parts are lie, lay,
lain. Lay means to put or place; its principal parts are lay and laid.
Example:
I was so tired after work I had to lie down for a short time.
I laid the files on the desk.