5 Confusing English words

The spelling and pronunciation might be different but we still confuse these words sometimes. Read the information below and do a short quiz to remember the difference.

1. Lose and Loose

Lose [“z” sound] – (a verb) to not have something anymore or not to win. You can lose your cell phone, or you can lose your way while driving somewhere.

I don’t want my football team to lose the game.
She will lose her money if she gambles with it.

Loose [“s” sound] – (an adjective) free, unattached or not tight. It’s also a verb meaning to untie or let go of something.

The door handle fell off because it was too loose.
A loose sweater feels very comfortable.

2. Resign and Re-sign

Resign [“z” sound] – to quit your job.

My boss didn’t want to increase my salary so I decided to resign. This will be my last week of work.

Re-sign [“s” sound] – to sign a contract again; it usually also means that you’ve decided to stay in your current job.

I love my current job, so I happily re-signed for another year.

3. Advice and Advise

Advise [“z” sound] – (a verb).

She advised me to invest my money more carefully.
You can advise your friend to travel to Italy.

Advice [“s” sound] – (a noun).

My father gave me one piece of advice – “Always be on time.”
Can you give me some advice?

4. Compliment and Complement

Compliment (a verb and a noun) – saying something nice about someone.

I complimented my sister on her delicious cooking (verb).
I gave my sister a compliment on her delicious cooking (noun).

Complement – when two things go well together, or complete each other. This word is often used in food and in fashion to describe matching styles or ingredients.

My blue tie really complements my white shirt (my blue tie and white shirt go well together).
That wine complements the meat dish well.

5. Bear and Bare

Bear – (a verb) to hold up or support a heavy weight and to suffer or endure difficulties.

Don’t stand on that old chair, it cannot bear your weight.
I cannot bear to see my son in pain.

Bare – (an adjective, a verb) naked or uncovered, or a verb which means to uncover or reveal.

Visitors to the temple must not have bare arms or legs, so wear long pants and a jacket (adjective).
I bared my arm to show them my new tattoo (verb).