There are a lot of words in the English Language that can cause confusion when we chose them to write or even to talk. Because the English has some ways to use each word. So we can learn how and when we have to use them properly. / There are many words in the English language that can cause confusion when we have to choose them to write or even speak. For this reason, English has paths for using each of them. So we can learn how and when to use them properly.
Check it out out of common mistakesthat we can make with confused words: / Check out some common mistakes we make with words that cause us confusion in English:
Habit x Custom / *Habits vs. Custom (tradition)
Wrong: Telling lovely things is a very good custom. X/ Saying kind things is a good custom.
The Indian have strange habits. X/ Indians have strange habits.
Right: Telling lovely things is a very good habit. / Saying nice things is a good habit.
The Indian Have Strange custom. / Indians have strange customs.
Definition: / Definition:
Habit belongs to the individual. / Habit is part of the individual (the habit of each individual).
Custom belong to a society or country. / Custom belongs to society or a country.
* In Portuguese, we can use both the word “habit” and “custom” for the sentences used in the examples. However, in the English language this is a misstatement, as shown in the examples.
Cause vs. Reason / cause x reason
Wrong: What's the reason of a hurricane? X / What was the reason for the earthquake?
I have a good cause for coming here. X / I have a good cause to come here.
Right: what's the cause of a hurricane? / What caused the earthquake?
I have a good reason for coming here. / I have a good reason to come here.
Definition: / Definition:
cause is that which produces a result. / Cause is what produces a result.
reason is that which explains or justifies a result. / Reason is what explains or justifies a result.
Story x History / *story x story
Wrong: My mom told me a beautiful history! X/ My mommy told me a beautiful story!
Last week we studied the story of the Greeks. X/ Last week we studied the story of the Greeks.
Right: my mom told me a beautiful story! / My mom told me a beautiful story!
Last week we studied the history of the Greeks. / Last week we studied the history of the Greeks.
Definition: / Definition:
story is an account of events which may or may not be true. / A story is an account of events that may or may not be true.
History is a systematic record of past events. / History is a systematic record of past events.
* In the Portuguese language, this construction is obsolete. Nowadays we can use the word history for both cases in Portuguese. In English, use only as exemplified.
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street x road / street x road
Wrong: The roads of the town are big. X/ The city's roads are big.
Which is the street to the next town? X/ What is the street to the next city?
Right: The streets of the town are big. / The city streets are big.
Which is the road to the next town? / What is the road to the next town?
Definition: / Definition:
street is a way in a town or village with buildings on the sides, including sidewalks. / Street is the path of a town or village with buildings on the sides, including a curb.
road usually denotes a way leading from one town or village to another place out of the city. / Road generally denotes a path that leads to a town or village or other place outside the city.
Shade x Shadow / *shadow x shadow
Wrong: That tall tree on the square makes a nice shadow. X / That big tree in the square makes a good shade.
The cat saw her shade in the water. X / The cat saw her shadow in the water.
Right: That tall tree on the square makes a nice shade. / That big tree in the square makes a good shade.
the cat saw her shadow in the water. / The cat saw her shadow in the water.
Definition: / Definition:
Shade is a place sheltered from the sun. /shadow (shade) it is a place protected by the sun.
shadow is a shade of a distinct form, as of a man, a dog, among others. / Shadow (Shadow)it is a shadow with a distinct shape, like the shadow of a man, a dog, among others.
* In Portuguese, we use the word “shadow” for both cases.
Customer x Customer / *Customer x Customer
Wrong: That seller has a plenty of clients. X / That seller has a lot of customers.
My lawyer has a plenty of customers. X / My lawyer has a lot of clients.
Right: That seller has a plenty of customers. / That seller has a lot of customers.
My lawyer has a plenty of clients./ My lawyer has a lot of clients.
Definition: / Definition:
customer is a person or organization that buys goods or services from a store. / "Customer"is the person or organization that buys food or services from a store.
client is a person or organization using the services of a lawyer or other professional person or company like bank, etc. / "Client" is a person or organization that uses the services of a lawyer or other professional or a company, such as a bank, among others.
* In Portuguese, we use the word “customer” for all types of existing customers for this definition.
By Janaína Mourão
Graduated in Letters - English
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
MOURãO, Janaína Pereira. "Confused words"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/ingles/confused-words.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
