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)