Confusing Words

1. Aggravate and Irritate
Aggravate - The verb aggravate means "to make worse" and, according to some style guides, should not be confused with the verb Irritate - which means "to annoy."

Examples:
•Many of the government's actions aggravate rather than alleviate the stresses on families.

•Government interference can be extremely irritating to ordinary citizens.

2. Affect and Effect
Affect - is usually a verb meaning "to influence." Effect - is usually a noun meaning "result." When used as a verb, effect means "to cause."

Examples:
Peace is a natural effect of trade.
War affects trade in various ways.

3.Adapt and Adopt
Adapt - means to take something and make it suitable for a specific use or situation. Adopt -means to take something and make it one's own as is.

Examples:
•The key to success is often the ability to adapt.
•"Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)'

4.Adverse and Averse
The adjective adverse means antagonistic, opposing, harmful, or unfavorable; often it refers to things. The adjective averse means strongly disinclined; often it refers to people.

Examples:
•"Live as brave men; and if fortune is adverse, front its blows with brave hearts." (Marcus Tullius Cicero)

•"I am very averse to bringing myself forward in print." (Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

5.Advice and Advise
The noun advice means "guidance." The verb advise means to "recommend" or "counsel."

Examples:
Em's father advised her not to see Sam.

She should have followed his advice.