Quick Answer Wasn’t is short for “was not.” Use it with I, he, she, it. Weren’t is short for “were not.” Use it with you, we, they. Example: “She wasn’t home” but “They weren’t home.” Wasn’t and Weren’t — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. Can you see which subjects go with wasn’t and…
Quick Answer Cite means to mention or quote a source. Site means a place or location. Sight means the ability to see, or something you see. They all sound the same, but they mean three very different things. Cite, Site, and Sight — See the Difference These three words sound exactly the same when you…
Quick Answer A principle is a rule or belief. A principal is the main person or thing (like the head of a school). “Honesty is an important principle.” “The principal spoke to the students.” Principle and Principal — See the Difference These two words sound exactly the same, but they mean different things. Look at…
Quick Answer Illicit (adjective) means illegal or not allowed: “illicit trade”. Elicit (verb) means to draw out a reaction or answer: “Her joke elicited a laugh.” They sound identical — the meanings are worlds apart. Illicit and Elicit — See the Difference Same sound, completely different jobs. Look: Did you see the pattern? Illicit describes…
Quick Answer To imply means to suggest something without saying it directly. To infer means to understand something from clues. The speaker implies. The listener infers. Example: “She implied the food was bad. I inferred she wanted to leave.” See the Difference: Imply and Infer in Action Read these sentences. Watch who is sending the…
Quick Answer Averse means a person does not want something — it is a feeling. Adverse means something is bad or harmful — it describes a situation. “She is averse to flying.” (She does not want to fly.) “The team faced adverse weather.” (The weather was bad.) Averse and Adverse — What Is the Difference?…
Quick Answer An allusion is a reference — you mention a famous person, story, or event to add meaning. An illusion is a trick — something looks real, but it is not. “He was a real Romeo” is an allusion to Shakespeare. A mirage in the desert is an illusion. Allusion and Illusion — What…
Quick Answer Imminent means something is about to happen very soon. Eminent means someone is famous and respected. Immanent means a quality that exists inside something. They sound almost the same, but they mean three very different things. Imminent, Eminent, and Immanent — See the Difference These three words sound very similar when you say…
Quick Answer Sympathy means feeling sorry FOR someone — you care from the outside. Empathy means feeling WITH someone — you imagine yourself in their place and share the feeling. Both are kind; empathy is one step closer. Sympathy and Empathy — See the Difference Watch where the feeling happens — outside or inside: Did…
Quick Answer An aisle is a path you walk through — like between shelves in a shop or seats on a plane. An isle is a small island. “She walked down the aisle at the supermarket.” “They visited a beautiful isle in the sea.” Aisle and Isle — See the Difference These two words sound…
