Confusable
Words
Submitted by Caroline Cothran
1 Using a dictionary can you identify the differences between the following
pairs of words:
beside - besides
carpet - rug
childish - childlike
deny - refuse
former - late
mistake - fault
notable - noticeable
priceless - worthless
scarcely - rarely
sensitive - sensible
2 Complete the following sentences by underlining the correct word:
a) Is there anything else you want from the shop (beside/besides) milk?
b) They have fitted (carpets/rugs) in every room in the house.
c) You should learn to grow up. You're so (childish/childlike).
d) The President didn't (deny/refuse) that he was thinking of resigning.
e) In his will the (late/former) Mr Mathews left all his property to his
daughter.
f) I sent the machine back to the factory as it had a (fault/mistake).
g) There has been a (notable/noticeable) improvement in her work this
year.
h) Please don't break that ornament. It's very rare and (priceless/worthless).
i) I could (scarcely/rarely) believe my eyes when she walked in the door.
j) He's a very (sensitive/sensible) child and can be trusted to do as
he is told.
(Answers)
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