English learner library
Commonly confused English words
Compare meaning and pronunciation side by side. Every lesson includes American and British IPA, three word samples, mouth cues, and six spoken example sentences.
15
reviewed pairs
3
samples per word
6
spoken examples per pair
Start with American English. Switch any lesson to British English when you want to compare the reference accent.
Meaning + sound
Confusing-word comparisons
Learn which word fits the sentence, then hear the sound details that spelling alone can hide.
affect vs effect
Affect is usually a verb meaning “to influence.” Effect is usually a noun meaning “a result.” Their first vowels can sound very similar in natural speech.
Hear and compareloose vs lose
Loose is usually an adjective meaning “not tight.” Lose is a verb meaning “to no longer have” or “to fail to win.” Loose ends with /s/; lose ends with /z/.
Hear and comparechose vs choose
Choose is the present-tense verb. Chose is its past-tense form. Choose has the OO vowel in “food,” while chose has the OH vowel in “go.”
Hear and comparethen vs than
Then relates to time, order, or what happens next. Than introduces a comparison. In careful speech, then has the vowel in “bed” and than has the vowel in “cat.”
Hear and compareadvice vs advise
Advice is a noun for a helpful suggestion. Advise is the verb meaning “to give advice.” Advice ends with /s/; advise ends with /z/.
Hear and comparebreath vs breathe
Breath is the noun for the air you inhale or exhale. Breathe is the verb for taking air in and out. Their vowel and final TH sounds are both different.
Hear and comparelead vs led
Lead, pronounced LEED, is the present-tense verb. Led, pronounced LED, is its past-tense form. The spelling “lead” can also name a metal, where it is pronounced exactly like led.
Hear and comparedesert vs dessert
A desert is a very dry region and stresses the first syllable. Dessert is sweet food served after a meal and stresses the second syllable.
Hear and compareworse vs worst
Worse compares two things or situations. Worst identifies the least good one in a group. Worst adds a final /t/ sound after worse.
Hear and compareaccept vs except
Accept is usually a verb meaning “to receive or agree to.” Except usually means “not including.” Their first syllables can be very close in fast speech.
Hear and compareconscious vs conscience
Conscious means awake or aware. Conscience is your inner sense of right and wrong. Conscience adds an /n/ sound near the end.
Hear and compareFocused listening
Pronunciation pairs
Train a single vowel contrast with words that listeners can easily confuse.
couch vs coach
Couch is a sofa and uses the OW vowel in “now.” Coach is a trainer or a type of bus and uses the OH vowel in “go.”
Hear and comparesince vs sense
Since connects a time or reason and uses the short I in “sit.” Sense relates to meaning, feeling, or understanding and uses the short E in “set.”
Hear and compareman vs men
Man is singular and uses the vowel in “cat.” Men is plural and uses the vowel in “bed.” The spelling changes one letter, and the mouth opening changes with it.
Hear and comparesit vs seat
Sit is usually a verb and uses the relaxed short I vowel. Seat is usually a noun and uses the long EE vowel. The vowel quality matters more than simply making one sound longer.
Hear and compareReady to speak?
Discover your own pronunciation blind spots
Take a short, no-pressure checkup. We show what the speech checker heard and treat every result as a clue.