WORDS OFTEN CONFUSED AND MISUSED

WORDS OFTEN CONFUSED AND MISUSED

Words that sound alike or look alike (moral/morale) often confuse students, especially those using spell checkers. This lengthy list of commonly confused words with simple definitions will help you decide which spelling fits your sentence. 

1. ABANDON/DESERT

ABANDON-

a. Go away from a thing, place or person not intending to return:

The crew abandoned the sinking ship.

b. Leave sth/sbd to be taken by sbd:

They abandoned their land.

c. Give up completely:

The match was abandoned because of bad weather.

d. Yield completely to an emotion or impulse:

He abandoned himself to despair.

DESERT-

a. Leave sbd without help or support:

He deserted his young wife and went abroad.

b. Leave service in the armed forces:

Ten soldiers deserted from the army.

c. Fail somebody:

His courage deserted him.

2. ABATE/ABET

ABATE-

a. Become less:

I left home when the storm had abated.

b. Make less:

People are campaigning to abate the noise in the cities.

ABET-

a. Help or encourage sb to commit an offence or do sth wrong:

He was abetted in these illegal activities by his wife.

b. Encourage a crime etc.

They are abetting theft by doing so.

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