Student

Learning VOCABULARY -
Centre Common Errors
Vocabulary is a large subject and it really requires a book to itself: in other words, a dictionary. In fact, a good
monolingual English dictionary is the best book that you, as a student of English, can buy. Recommended ones,
especially compiled for the student of English, are:

• Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners
• Collins COBUILD English Language Dictionary
• Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
• Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

Often a wrong word is used because a wrong choice has been made between similar words or synonyms. The
choice of synonyms will often depend on usage or context, as much as on meaning. A good English dictionary will
give examples of usage or context that will help you to choose the correct word. Some attention is given below to a
few words which frequently cause difficulty to students. Read the information and examples carefully.

1. Verbs
a. Make and Do
Make: construct, produce, form, shape, create
Do: perform, carry out, act
There are large numbers of idiomatic expressions containing these two verbs, many of which can be found in the
dictionaries referred to above.

Consider these examples:

• He found that he could not do the research.

• Many discoveries have been made this century.
• He made a number of attempts to finish the work.
• She had some difficulty in doing her homework.
• Considerable progress has been made with the experiment.

b. Rise, Arise, Raise, and Increase

• Prices continue to rise.

1. go up, get up, go higher (intransitive, i.e. without a
• The cost of living index rose by 10% last year.
direct object)
Rise • The sun usually rises at 5 am in the summer.
2. rise is also a noun, meaning an increase. • There was a rise in prices caused by a rise in wages.
• A new problem has arisen in the college.
Arise come into existence, appear (intransitive) • An unexpected difficulty arose when he was analysing the
results.
1. lift up, make higher, cause to rise • Bus fares were raised three times last year.
(transitive, i.e. takes a direct object) • The landlord said he was going to raise the rent.
Raise 2. to bring up for discussion or attention • He raised a new point in the seminar.
• He raised a loan.
3. to manage to get; obtain
• He tried to raise money for a new project.
• The Treasurer increased the tax on petrol in his last Budget.
1. make or become greater in size, number,
• The population of the Chinese port city of Shenzhen
degree, etc. (transitive and intransitive) increased from 30,000 in 1980 to 7 million in 2005.

Increase • The Treasurer raised the tax on petrol in his last Budget.
2. increase can sometimes be used instead of
• The population of the Chinese port of city of Shenzhen has
raise or rise. risen from 30,000 in 1980 to 7 million in 2005.

3. increase is also a noun, meaning rise. • There was a steady increase in population.

Vocabulary 11/2012 © SLC 1 of 8

2. Pairs of words often confused
Noun Verb Noun Adjective
Practice Practise Politics Political
Advice Advise Mathematics Mathematical
Effect Affect Statistics Statistical
Choice Choose Logic Logical
Economics Economic
Adjective Verb
Loose Lose
a. The adjective economical relates to saving money, not to the ∼ My car is very economical. It hardly uses any petrol.
economy: ∼ Prices rose because of the economic downturn.

b. Two adjectives are often confused:

∼ I will see you later.
Later late, later, latest
∼ She wore the latest style.

Latter the second of two things already mentioned ∼ He could not decide between red and green. He chose
(contrasted with the former, meaning the first of two) the latter.

c. Two adverbs are often confused:

Very to give emphasis ∼ The seminar was very good.

Too excessively ∼ The car was too expensive

3. Exercise
In the spaces in the following sentences, write the correct form of the appropriate word in brackets.
a) He _____________ a big effort to finish in time.
(make / made / done)

b) The painting was _____________ by a famous artist.

(make / made / done)

c) His supervisor _____________ him to prepare a talk.

(tell / told / said)

d) It is possible to _____________ four books at a time from the library.

(lend / borrow)

e) The oil crisis _____________ the price of petrol.

(rise / arise / raised)

f) Last year the price of food _____________ by 15%.

(rise / rose / arise / raise)

g) Tutors often give good _____________ but students sometimes _____________ not to follow it.
(advice / advise) (choice / choose)

h) The former is, perhaps, more _____________ than the _____________.

(logic / logical) (later / latter)
Answers on page 8.

Vocabulary 11/2012 © SLC 2 of 8

4. Words Commonly Confused

WORD MEANING EXAMPLE

ACCEDE (verb) to give one's consent or agreement • They acceded to our request.
1
EXCEED (verb) to surpass; to go beyond the limit • The car exceeded the speed limit.

ACCEPT (verb) to agree to [take] something • They accepted my research proposal.

2
EXCEPT (preposition / conjunction) aside from; otherwise • Everyone went except John.

ADAPT (verb) to make suitable • The machine was adapted for indoor use.
3
ADEPT (adjective / noun) skilled, expert • They are adept at their job.

• The prime minister was known for his strict adherence to the
ADHERENCE (noun) clinging quality
constitution.

a person who clings to something, a • Her life-like depiction of human subjects on canvas has gained
4 ADHERENT (noun / adjective)
supporter; sticking to her many adherents.

• Although the operation was successful, he was left with

ADHESION (noun) quality of sticking together physically
adhesions.

ADVERSE (adjective) unfavourable (thing) • The adverse weather caused them to change their plans.
5
AVERSE (adjective) reluctant • He is averse to going to the seaside.
• The weather will affect the outcome.
AFFECT (verb) to influence or to pretend
• He affected not to know what they were talking about.
(used in psychology) a feeling or
AFFECT (noun) • Depression is a disorder of affect.
emotion
6
EFFECT (verb) to accomplish, to bring about a result • Please effect the following changes.

EFFECT (noun) result • Their criticism had a negative effect.

AFFLUENT (adjective) wealthy • The USA is an affluent nation.

7
• The effluent from the factories has polluted the Parramatta
EFFLUENT (noun) waste, outflow
River.
to make worse or to make someone • The bad weather aggravated her rheumatism.
AGGRAVATE (verb)
annoyed • What aggravates you most about your condition?

8 • The bad weather annoyed him because he could not go

ANNOY (verb) to irritate, upset emotionally
swimming, and he was very angry.

IRRITATE (verb) to upset emotionally and physically • The constant noise irritated me and made me nervous.
(determiner +
ALL TOGETHER all in one place or at one time • We decided to go all together.
adverb)
9
ALTOGETHER (adverb) completely, without exception • The view was altogether wonderful.

ALREADY (adverb) by this time • The sun had already begun to rise when they set out.
10
ALL READY (determiner + adjective) prepared, completely ready • I was all ready to go when they arrived.

Vocabulary 11/2012 © SLC 3 of 8

 ALLUDE (to) (verb) to mention indirectly • The lecturer did not tell the story directly but alluded to it in her talk.
11
ELUDE (verb) to avoid, escape • The outlaws eluded the police for several days.

ALLUSION (noun) an indirect reference • He made an allusion to the story in his talk.

12 ILLUSION (noun) unreal image; false impression • The effect was not real; it was only an illusion.

false belief, especially one held

DELUSION (noun) • He suffered from the delusion that he was the king.
psychologically
used when referring to more than two
AMONG (preposition) • There were several left-handed candidates among the participants.
people or objects
13
used when referring to two people or
BETWEEN (preposition) • There is little difference between the two authors.
objects
used when referring to a quantity that
AMOUNT (noun) • There was a small amount of grain in the bag.
cannot be counted
14
used for the plural form of something
NUMBER (noun) • There was a small number of students in the room.
that can be counted
any human form; any corpse; any
ANY BODY (determiner + noun) • They looked in the tomb but they could not find any body.
group
15
(used in questions and negatives) any • They looked round the room but they could not see anybody there.
ANYBODY (noun / pronoun)
single person • Is anybody home?

ASSENT (noun or verb) agreement • He gave a verbal assent.

16
ASCENT (noun) act of going up • The ascent of Mt Everest is one of the world’s hardest climbs.

ASSURE (verb) to make something certain; to promise • They assured him they would finish the assignment on time.

17 ENSURE (verb) to make sure or certain • Their careful preparation ensured the success of the experiment.

to protect against loss, or risk, by

INSURE (verb) • They had to insure their car against fire or theft.
payment
• Do you have a life assurance policy?
policy on life: life assurance (mainly
• The military commander requires an assurance that our forces will not
ASSURANCE (noun) British English); a promise; self-
attack.
18 confidence
• She is an excellent singer but she lacks assurance.
policy on life; policy on material • Life insurance is a highly competitive industry in Australia.
INSURANCE (noun)
possessions • We have a musical instruments insurance policy.
capable of being compared; worthy of • Australia is hardly comparable with China.
COMPARABLE (adjective)
comparison • She is comparable to a rose.
19
COMPARATIVE (adjective) something which relates to a standard • The meeting was a comparative success.

compare to - points out resemblances

• Life can be compared to an actor's role on the stage.
COMPARE (verb) where they are not apparent
20
May be used in two ways: compare with - points out differences
• Adelaide can be compared with Perth.
essentially of the same order
21 CONTRAST (noun / verb) comparison of things which are unlike • The pictures present a contrast.

Vocabulary 11/2012 © SLC 4 of 8

 COMPLEMENT (noun)
complete quantity • The hotel had a full complement of staff.

to provide completeness • The written exam will complement the oral exam.
COMPLEMENT (verb)
• Honey, lemon and jam all complement the flavour of the
22 to go well with
pancakes.
• The singer’s beautiful performance earned her many
COMPLIMENT (noun) approving comment
compliments.
COMPLIMENT (verb) to praise • Jim complimented Paul on his work.
always going on or recurring at short
CONTINUAL (adjective) • Continual chatter annoys her.
intervals
23
CONTINUOUS (adjective) incessant, with no break at all • The continuous noise of the compressor was unrelenting.
a group of people elected to govern a
COUNCIL (noun) • Adelaide has a city council.
town or city
24 COUNSEL (noun) advice • Listen to an old man's counsel.

COUNSEL (verb) to advise • They counselled him to continue with his studies.
• It is hardly credible that a country as small as the Netherlands
CREDIBLE (adjective) believable
won 22 medals at the 2004 Olympics.
25 CREDITABLE (adjective) worthy of credit • That was a creditable performance.
• Santa Claus does not really exist. You should not be so
CREDULOUS (adjective) believing anything that is said
credulous.
DEPENDENT (adjective) reliant • The project is dependent on finance.
26
someone supported financially within a
DEPENDANT (noun) • He had two dependants: his aged mother and his young son.
family

DEPRECATE (verb) speak against • We deprecate the actions of the rioters.

27 DEPRECIATE (verb) fall in value • Cars depreciate rapidly.

reduce the value of something (usually
DEVALUATE (verb) • The currency was devaluated / devalued.
devalue is used instead)
DISCREET (adjective) tactful and judicious • Fred Gee is not very discreet in his remarks.
28
DISCRETE (adjective) separate, distinct • I used several discrete steps to solve the problem.

• Regarding current events in the Solomon Islands, Australia is by

DISINTERESTED (adjective) impartial, unbiased
no means a disinterested observer.
29
• We were so uninterested in the result that we didn’t bother to turn
UNINTERESTED (adjective) not interested
on the TV.
(relates to a noun, a noun phrase, or an
30 DUE TO (adjective) • Ben's accident was due to his drinking and driving.
“–ing” form, not a verb) because of

EMINENT (adjective) distinguished • Professor Wright was an eminent surgeon.

31
IMMINENT (adjective) close at hand, threatening • A storm is imminent.

FARTHER (adjective / adverb) a comparative form of far • Wanganeen kicked the ball farther than McLeod.
32 • Many people live further from the city centre than they did in the
FURTHER (adjective / adverb) a comparative form of far 1960s. According to the Macquarie Dictionary (1997) further is
used more in Australian English than farther.

Vocabulary 11/2012 © SLC 5 of 8

 FORMALLY (adverb) according to accepted rules • The chairperson conducted the meeting formally.
33
FORMERLY (adverb) previously, in time gone by • Bangladesh was formerly known as East Pakistan.

HONORARY (adjective) a position with no payment • She was the honorary secretary.

34 worthy of honour or respect • He is an honourable gentleman.

HONOURABLE (adjective) with capital 'H', a title, meaning a Member of • Would the Honourable Member for Norwood please
Parliament who has held Cabinet rank. stand.
• The speaker implied that there were errors in the
IMPLY (verb) to hint, to suggest, to indirectly indicate something
previous speech.
35
• A listener or reader infers things from what has been
INFER (verb) to come to a conclusion, to gain an impression
implied.
• When I said Santa Claus was real they were
INCREDULOUS (adjective) showing disbelief, sceptical
incredulous.
36
• The radio reception was incredible. It was as if the
INCREDIBLE (adjective) extremely or unusually good
presenter was in the same room.
INGENIOUS (adjective) clever • The apple peeling machine is an ingenious device.
37
INGENUOUS (adjective) innocent, trusting • He seemed too ingenuous to be a used car salesman.
not connected with what you are discussing or
IRRELEVANT (adjective) • Age is irrelevant for this job; it's experience we need.
focusing on
38
• The comedian Dave Allen had an irreverent attitude to
IRREVERENT (adjective) lacking in respect, especially for religion
religion.
• Her advice about subject choices was invaluable to
INVALUABLE (adjective) so valuable as to be beyond price
me.
39
VALUELESS (adjective) having no value • This ‘antique’ is a valueless piece of junk.

to produce (an egg) • The hen laid an egg.

LAY (verb)
to put in position • She laid the book carefully on the table.
40
to be in a horizontal position • The patient was lying in bed.
LIE (verb) • They deliberately lied in order to avoid the
to tell untruths
consequences of their actions.
LEARN (verb) to gain knowledge • A student learns many things at university.
41
to give instructions to enable someone to do
TEACH (verb) • A lecturer may teach several subjects.
something
LEND (verb) to give on condition of return • He asked the bank to lend him $10 000.
42
LOAN (noun) item borrowed or lent • The Government loan is for $3 billion.

the comparative form of little; indicates a smaller

LESS (adverb) amount of something (frequently also used incorrectly • The student would have preferred less noise in the flat.
43 in Australia for a smaller number of people or things)

FEWER (adverb) comparative form of few • James made fewer mistakes in this essay.

indicates permission • You may leave if you have finished.

MAY (modal verb)
indicates possibility • It may rain on the weekend.
44
indicates permission • You can leave now.
CAN (modal verb)
indicates ability • She can run faster than her brother.

Vocabulary 11/2012 © SLC 6 of 8

 OFFICIAL (adjective) approved by a person in authority • A passport is an official document.
45
• He became such an officious person when he put on
OFFICIOUS (adjective) too eager to give orders or offer advice
his uniform.

to go by (past simple or past participle) • He passed the window.

PASSED (verb)
46 to succeed in an exam (past simple or past participle) • They both passed the music exam.

PAST (preposition) further than (Also: adjective / adverb / noun) • Go past the post office and down the street.

• The Israelis proved it is practicable to grow crops in

PRACTICABLE (adjective) able to be put into practice
the desert.
47
• This is a practical card-table which folds up and fits
PRACTICAL (adjective) useful, sensible
into the car boot.
person who is trained in the knowledge of mental • The parents took the child to a psychologist, who
PSYCHOLOGIST (noun)
states and processes diagnosed ADHD.
48
doctor trained in the study and treatment of disorders
PSYCHIATRIST (noun) • The psychiatrist treated the child with medication.
of the mind

worthy of respect; showing character and standards

RESPECTABLE (adjective) • The mayor was a very respectable person.
approved by society

49 • Elisa and John won a gold and silver medal

RESPECTIVELY (adverb) in the same order as the items mentioned
respectively. (i.e. Elisa won gold and John won silver)

RESPECTFULLY (adverb) Courteously • They answered the professor respectfully.

used to make offers or suggestions or to ask for

• Shall I buy the vegetables?
advice: I / we only
SHALL (modal verb)
used for an intention or promise, or when referring to
something you believe is certain to happen • We shall be arriving at 6 pm.
(This use is not common in Australia.)

used to make offers: you / he / she • Will you have a cup of coffee?
50

used to ask or tell someone to do something: you • Will you email the pdf to me?

WILL (modal verb) used (like shall) for an intention or promise, or for
something you believe is certain to happen: • They will come tomorrow.
I / you / he / she / it / we / they
used for something you hope/believe is going to
• The car will not be fixed until next month.
happen in the future

SHOULD (modal verb) expresses advice, obligation or advisability • If you want to get there tonight you should leave soon.

expresses a condition • I would go if I could

51
WOULD (modal verb) used when offering something • Would you like a chocolate?

used when politely requesting something • Would you tell me the time?

Vocabulary 11/2012 © SLC 7 of 8

 • The view from Centrepoint Tower at night is a spectacular
SIGHT (noun) something which is seen
sight.

SITE (noun) place, location • We visited an archaeological site during the holidays.
52
• He cited a short clause in the contract to prove that the
to bring forward as proof, to quote an authority
company was not responsible.
CITE (verb)
• Unfortunately he failed to cite the author and date following
to provide a citation (academic use)
the quote.
agent which makes the body work faster, often • Avoid taking stimulants, such as coffee at night, or you may
STIMULANT (noun)
by increasing the heart rate find it difficult to sleep.
53
STIMULUS (noun) spur, incentive • Devaluation proved a stimulus to overseas trade.

STORY (noun) tale, narrative • They always told the children bedtime stories.
54
STOREY (noun) floor of a building • The office block had thirty storeys.

(followed by noun, noun phrase or “–ing” form) • We are going to the bank.
TO (preposition) may indicate a destination (part of the infinitive, • They are looking forward to meeting you.
followed by verb) • We have to plan carefully.
in addition • I'm coming too.
55 TOO (adverb)
more than enough • That is too much.

(noun, determiner,
TWO pronoun)
number • There are two types of photocopier in the faculty office.

WEATHER (noun) atmospheric conditions • The weather is not like this in Lima.

WETHER (noun) castrated ram • The wether wears a bell and leads the flock.
56

WHETHER (conjunction) used to introduce alternatives • I don’t know whether to stay or go.

Answers from page 2:

a) He made a big effort to finish on time. e) The oil crisis raised the price of petrol.
b) The painting was done by a famous artist. f) Last year the price of food rose by 15%.
c) His supervisor told him to prepare a talk. g) Tutors often give good advice but students sometimes choose not to follow it.
d) It is possible to borrow four books at a time. h) The former is, perhaps, more logical than the latter.

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Vocabulary 11/2012 © SLC 8 of 8