Confusing Words

Audible and Auditory

Audible: can be heard

e.g. The music from the concert hall was audible even from here.

Auditory: related to hearing or the ear

e.g. This factory manufactures auditory equipment.

Expandable and Expendable

Expandable: able to grow and develop

e.g. This business has great potential and is expandable.

Expendable: unnecessary

e.g. This is extra and is expendable.

Amused and Bemused

Amused: be delighted or entertained

e.g. We were all amused by his wonderful performance.

Bemused; bewildered or confused

e.g. The reporters were totally bemused by that contradictory information from the White House.

Farther and Further

Farther: at a greater physical distance

e.g. This place is farther away from your parents’ home.

Further: at a greater figurative distance

e.g. His explanation is further from the truth.

A lot and Allot

A lot: a large number of

e.g. A lot of people turned up at the debate.

Allot; assign something to

e.g. You should allot some of the work to the new employee.

Suppose and Supposed to

Suppose: theorize

e.g. I supposed he would turn up, but he did not.

Supposed to: obligated to do something

e.g. The policeman was supposed to arrest the criminal.

Formally and Formerly

Formally: officially

e.g. The manager formally announced your promotion.

Formerly: previously

e.g. He was formerly the President of this company.

Stephen Lau

Copyright©2018 by Stephen Lau