English Confusions

English Confusions

Common English confusions certainly exist in the language. Common words that are very similar can often cause English learners many doubts. More often than not, there are usually one or two simple rules with which you need to become familiarized to ensure that you don’t get confused. 

In other words, it might not always be so easy, such as, do and make whereby, despite there being a fixed rule you can follow, there are still quite a few exceptions.

Needless to say, by just learning one or two rules, you will be able to make an important distinction.

• Been and gone
• Among – amongst
• Bath – bathe
• Already – all ready
• Into – in to
• Although – though
• On – upon
• Some – any
• Born – borne
• Between – among
• Bring – take
• Bring up – educate
• So – such
• Still, yet and already
• There are – there is
• Rather, quite, fairly and little
• To – for
• Do – make

Some common English confusions

Into vs. in to

• We managed to get into the stadium. 
• I’m really in to basketball. 

Two principal rules as to the differences between these two words.

To vs. for

• Let’s see her for a drink. 
• Our device is for making calls. 
• I use my device to make calls. 
• She was upset at me for arriving late. 

There are four rules (with no exceptions) as to the differences of the prepositions “to” and “for”. 

Do vs. make

• She does her homework every evening. 
• What are you doing? 
• We do lots of exercise. 
• They’re making a new room. 

Two main rules exist as to the differences concerning the verbs “do” and “make”.

Other causes for confusion

In other cases, such as with among and amongst, or although and though, making the distinction is much easier because it’s only a question of style and not much else.

However, although and though can also have different functions (“though” can be an adverb as well as a conjunction).