Some English words appear to be similar, but they have different meanings. Here is a collection of such words.
Except / unless
‘Except’ is used to introduce the only person, thing, action, fact or situation about which a statement is not true.
The post office is open every day except Sundays.
‘Unless’ is used to say that something will happen or be true if something else does not happen or is not true.
Business will not survive unless they satisfy their customers.
Exceptional / exceptionable
‘Exceptional’ means unusually good.
David is an exceptional student.
‘Exceptionable’ means to be objectionable.
We found Ron’s behaviour quite exceptionable.
Excoriate / execrate
‘Excoriate’ means to express a very bad opinion of a book or play.
I read an excoriating review of the play.
‘Execrate’ means to express strong disapproval or hatred for someone or something.
Mary positively execrated the memory of her late stepmother.
Exhaust / deplete
‘Exhaust’ means to make someone feel extremely tired.
A full day’s teaching exhausts me.
‘Deplete’ means to reduce the amount of something that is present or available.
Salmon populations have been severely depleted.
Exorcise / exercise
‘Exorcise’ means to force evil spirits to leave a place by using special words or ceremonies.
‘Exercise’ means physical activities that you do in order to stay healthy and become stronger.
Working in an office, Rosy does not get much exercise.
Expatiate / expiate
‘Expatiate’ means to speak or write in detail about a particular subject. ‘Expiate’ means to show you are sorry for something you have done wrong by accepting your punishment willingly.
Norma expiated her crime by becoming a nun.
Expatriate / compatriot
‘Expatriate’ means someone who lives in a foreign country. There are thousands of expatriate Sri Lankan workers in the Middle East.
‘Compatriot’ means someone who was born in or is a citizen of the same country as someone else.
Schmidt defeated his compatriot Hans in the quarter final.
Expeditious / expedient
‘Expeditious’ means quick and effective.
The U.S. Government has evolved an expeditious system for examining claims for refugee status.
‘Expedient’ means helping you to deal with a problem quickly and effectively.
The suppression of protests may be politically expedient.
Expertise / skill
‘Expertise’ conveys the acquisition of specialised knowledge and experience to an exceptional degree.
We need someone who can bring financial expertise to the country.
‘Skill’ means an ability to do something well, especially because you have learned and practised it.
Reading and writing are two different skills.
Explicit / implicit
‘Explicit’ means expressed in a way that is very clear and direct.
An English teacher should have explicit knowledge of grammar.
‘Implicit’ means suggested or understood without being stated directly.
His words contained an implicit threat.
Extinct / extant
An extinct type of animal or plant does not exist anymore.
Dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years.
‘Extant’ means still existing in spite of being very old.
A few of the ola manuscripts are still extant.
Extraneous / extrinsic / intrinsic
‘Extraneous’ means not belonging to or directly related to a particular subject or problem.
Such details are extraneous to the matter in hand.
‘Extrinsic’ means coming from outside or not directly related to something.
Staff members who complete extra qualifications receive no extrinsic rewards.
‘Intrinsic’ means being part of the nature or character of someone or something.
Flexibility is intrinsic to creative management.