{"id":1607,"date":"2016-05-23T15:24:53","date_gmt":"2016-05-23T15:24:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/?p=1607"},"modified":"2021-11-12T20:56:55","modified_gmt":"2021-11-12T14:56:55","slug":"commonly-confused-english-words","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/commonly-confused-english-words\/","title":{"rendered":"Word Choice in Academic Writing: Commonly Confused English Words"},"content":{"rendered":"

As an academic researcher, a part of the writing process that often causes confusion and leads to common mistakes is the word choice. While writing in English, maintaining the correct word choice is quite difficult for both ESL researchers and for native English speakers who are not experienced writers. In English, there are many pairs or sets of words that sound and\/or look alike but have different meanings, as well as those that sound and look different but have similar meanings. Understanding the meaning and use of both pairs or the set of words in any of these scenarios is essential for improving the language and content of the written study. Here we go through some commonly confused English words that many ESL authors commonly use and provide examples on how they can be used appropriately in academic articles.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Homonyms<\/span><\/h2>\n

Homonyms are words that sound and\/or alike but have different meanings. We have listed some homonyms that are frequently used in academic writing. The explanations will help you understand the correct choice based on the usage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Affect vs. Effect <\/span><\/h4>\n

Affect<\/em> is a verb that means \u201cto exert influence\u201d or \u201cmake a difference to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Example,<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Did the drug affect<\/em> the patients?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Effect<\/em>\u00a0can be used as both a noun and verb depending on the context.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Example:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. We were curious if the drug had any effect<\/em> (n).<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. The Aharonov\u2013Bohm effect (n) is a quantum mechanical phenomenon in which an electrically charged particle is affected by an electromagnetic potential.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. The Ministry of Finance effected (v) many immediate policy changes in this quarter.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Accept vs. Except<\/span><\/h4>\n

      Accept <\/em>is a verb that means \u201cto agree\u201d or \u201cto trust.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

      Example,<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. My grant application was accepted<\/em>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \u00a0<\/em>Except<\/em> can be used as a preposition, a conjuction, or a verb and it means \u201cnot inclusive\u201d or \u201cother than.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

        Example:<\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. All of the students passed the exam except<\/em> (p) for one.<\/span><\/li>\n
        2. Most of the data obtained did not reveal anything significant, except (c) that some protocols could be optimized for future experiments.<\/span><\/li>\n
        3. The patients under treatment for cancer are excepted from the survey.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Their vs. There vs. They\u2019re <\/span><\/h4>\n

          Their<\/em> is an adjective that means \u201crelating to\u201d or \u201cbelonging to\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

          Example:<\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          1. It is their<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            \u00a0<\/em>There<\/em> is a noun that refers to a place.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Example,<\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. We had to park over there<\/em>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              \u00a0<\/em>They\u2019re<\/em> is a contraction that means they are.<\/span><\/p>\n

              Example,<\/span><\/p>\n

                \n
              1. They\u2019re<\/em> going to the store.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Tip<\/strong>: In academic writing, always avoid the usage of contractions (such as can\u2019t, don\u2019t, and shouldn\u2019t).<\/span><\/p>\n

                To vs. Too vs. Two<\/span><\/h4>\n

                To <\/em>is typically used as a preposition.<\/span><\/p>\n

                Example,<\/span><\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. To<\/em> determine the nature of the compound, we tested its activity.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  Too<\/em> is an adverb that means \u201cin addition\u201d or \u201calso\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Example,<\/span><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. We performed the extra analysis, too<\/em>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    Two <\/em>is the number (2).<\/span><\/p>\n

                    Example,<\/span><\/p>\n

                      \n
                    1. The experiment was performed with two<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                      Then vs. Than<\/span><\/h4>\n

                      Then<\/em> can be used as adverb that means \u201cat that time\u201d or \u201cnext in a series\u201d. It can also be used as an adjective and a noun.<\/span><\/p>\n

                      Example,<\/span><\/p>\n

                        \n
                      1. First they tested sample A, then<\/em> (adv) sample B was tested.<\/span><\/li>\n
                      2. The experiment was performed according the requirements then (adj)<\/em>.<\/span><\/li>\n
                      3. Let us examine how this experiment turns out; we can decide how to proceed then (n).<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                        Than<\/em> is a conjunction and preposition that is used to link two things that are being compared.<\/span><\/p>\n

                        Example,<\/span><\/p>\n

                          \n
                        1. Group A decreased more than<\/em> the control group.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                          Homophones<\/span><\/h2>\n

                          These words do not sound alike or look alike, but they have similar meanings and often they are used incorrectly in academic writing. The below list is not exhaustive but gives you a clear idea of misinterpretations.<\/span><\/p>\n

                          Although vs. While<\/span><\/h4>\n

                          Although<\/em> is a conjunction that is used to indicate a contrast.<\/span><\/p>\n

                          Example,<\/span><\/p>\n

                            \n
                          1. Although<\/em> the data seemed correct, the researcher attempted to verify the results.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                            \u00a0<\/em>While<\/em> is a conjunction that is used to indicate a time and can also be a noun when it refers to a period of time.<\/span><\/p>\n

                            Example,<\/span><\/p>\n

                              \n
                            1. The experiment was conducted while<\/em> it was raining.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                              Since vs. Because <\/span><\/h4>\n

                              Since <\/em>can be used as a preposition, a conjunction, or an adverb that and it refers to the time between the intervening period and the time under consideration.<\/span><\/p>\n

                              Example,<\/span><\/p>\n

                                \n
                              1. The student has not been home since<\/em> he started college.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                Because<\/em> is a conjunction that is used to show causation.<\/span><\/p>\n

                                Example,<\/span><\/p>\n

                                  \n
                                1. I want to analyze the data because<\/em> I am curious about the results.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                  If vs. Whether <\/span><\/h4>\n

                                  If <\/em>is a conjunction that is used to explain the result or the effect of something that may happen or be true, i.e., \u201cif\u201d can be used to start a particular condition.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

                                  Example,<\/span><\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  1. Put your pencil down if <\/em>you are done with your exam. (This is conditional because you only need to put your pencil down if you are done with the exam).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                    Whether<\/em> is a pronoun that refers to a choice between alternatives.<\/span><\/p>\n

                                    Example,<\/span><\/p>\n

                                      \n
                                    1. Put your pencil down whether<\/em> or not you are done with your exam. (This not conditional because you have to put your pencil down either way.)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                      \"\"<\/p>\n

                                      Changing Rules?<\/span><\/h2>\n

                                      Ensuring correct language and grammar in scientific articles is particularly important when sending your paper to well-known journals such as Nature<\/em>, Science<\/em>, and Cell<\/em>. Although many journals do consider the importance and impact of the study even if the paper is poorly written, peer reviewers particularly find it difficult to evaluate a paper that is written with poor language and grammar. Considering the several rules of grammar in the English language, it is important to keep improving your language skills. A well-written manuscript not only gives the journals and the editors a good impression, it also gives you the chance to convey your research in a clear and concise manner.<\/span><\/p>\n

                                      \n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                      As an academic researcher, a part of the writing process that often causes confusion and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1610,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,2],"tags":[1426],"ppma_author":[1895],"class_list":["post-1607","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-language-grammar","category-academic-writing","tag-good-word-choice"],"better_featured_image":{"id":1610,"alt_text":"English Words","caption":"","description":"","media_type":"image","media_details":{"width":930,"height":300,"hwstring_small":"height='41' 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