14 English words with similar spelling but different meanings

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Some words in English have very similar writing, but meanings that can be very different. It's important to know them to avoid getting into trouble or embarrassing situations, whether traveling, studying or work meetings, for example. We have separated 7 pairs of words that are often confused for you to learn and show that you know the language very well! 1-Desert X Dessert “Desert” is the same as “deserto”, very easy to remember due to its similar writing to Portuguese. “Dessert” is the same as “dessert”. Therefore, unless you want to speak badly about the dish, which arrived dry as a desert, it's best to be careful not to get confused! 2-Accept X Except Only the first two letters change, but the meaning changes a lot between “accept” and “except”.

Accept” is the same as “accepted”, while “except” is the same as “except”. It's not difficult, right?! Both words sound like our Brazilian versions. 3-Principal X Principles “Principles” is the same C Level Contact List as “principles”, convictions, ideals. “Principal” is the same as “school principal”. As long as the “main” has “principles”, everything is fine! 4-Affect X Effect “Affect” means “to affect”, while “effect” means “effect”. “Learning English can affect your life with effects on your career – Learning English can affect your life with effects on your career”. 5. Advise X Advice Here one is a verb and the other is a noun.



Advise” is to advise, while “advice” is advice. Without secrets! 6-Ensure X Assure In this case the meanings are similar. “Ensure” is the same as “guarantee” and “assure” is the same as “assure”. “I assure she will call you if you ensure you're gonna be nice to her.” 7-Personal X Personnel “Personal” and “Personnel” are easier to differentiate in English than in Portuguese, because the translation of both for us is “personal”. The difference is that “personal” refers to what is intimate, private, someone’s own. “Personnel” refers to the “staff” of a company, its employees, as in “personnel department”. Want to keep learning? Read our article Whale X Wale X Wail: learn how to use these words that have the same pronunciation and different meanings.