discreet / discrete
Discreet is an adjective that means prudent, circumspect, or modes. “Her discreet handling of the touchy situation put him at ease.” Discrete is an adjective that means separate or individually distinct. “Each company in the conglomerate operates as a discrete entity.”
elicit / illicit
Elicit is a verb that means to draw out. Illicit is an adjective meaning unlawful. “No matter how hard I tried to elicit a few scandalous stories from her, she kept all knowledge of illicit goings-on discreetly to herself. ”
emigrant / immigrant
Emigrant is a noun that means one who leaves one's native country to settle in another. “The emigrants spent four weeks aboard ship before landing in Los Angeles.” Immigrant is a noun that means one who enters and settles in a new country. “Most of the immigrants easily found jobs.” One emigrates from a place; one immigrates to another.
farther / further
Farther is an adjective and adverb that means to or at a more distant point. “We drove 50 miles today; tomorrow, we will travel 100 miles farther.” Further is an adjective and adverb that means to or at a greater extent or degree. “We won't be able to suggest a solution until we are further along in our evaluation of the problem.” It can also mean in addition or moreover. “They stated further that they would not change the policy.”
foreword / forward
Foreword is a noun that means an introductory note or preface. “In my foreword I explained my reasons for writing the book.” Forward is an adjective or adverb that means toward the front. “I sat in the forward section of the bus.” “Please step forward when your name is called.” Forward is also a verb that means to send on. “Forward the letter to the customer's new address.”
founder / flounder
In its primary sense founder means to fill with water and sink. “The ship foundered after colliding with an iceberg.” By extension, founder means to fail utterly. Flounder means to move about clumsily, or to act with confusion. A good synonym for flounder is blunder. “After floundering through the first half of the course, Amy finally passed with the help of a tutor.”
Discreet is an adjective that means prudent, circumspect, or modes. “Her discreet handling of the touchy situation put him at ease.” Discrete is an adjective that means separate or individually distinct. “Each company in the conglomerate operates as a discrete entity.”
elicit / illicit
Elicit is a verb that means to draw out. Illicit is an adjective meaning unlawful. “No matter how hard I tried to elicit a few scandalous stories from her, she kept all knowledge of illicit goings-on discreetly to herself. ”
emigrant / immigrant
Emigrant is a noun that means one who leaves one's native country to settle in another. “The emigrants spent four weeks aboard ship before landing in Los Angeles.” Immigrant is a noun that means one who enters and settles in a new country. “Most of the immigrants easily found jobs.” One emigrates from a place; one immigrates to another.
farther / further
Farther is an adjective and adverb that means to or at a more distant point. “We drove 50 miles today; tomorrow, we will travel 100 miles farther.” Further is an adjective and adverb that means to or at a greater extent or degree. “We won't be able to suggest a solution until we are further along in our evaluation of the problem.” It can also mean in addition or moreover. “They stated further that they would not change the policy.”
foreword / forward
Foreword is a noun that means an introductory note or preface. “In my foreword I explained my reasons for writing the book.” Forward is an adjective or adverb that means toward the front. “I sat in the forward section of the bus.” “Please step forward when your name is called.” Forward is also a verb that means to send on. “Forward the letter to the customer's new address.”
founder / flounder
In its primary sense founder means to fill with water and sink. “The ship foundered after colliding with an iceberg.” By extension, founder means to fail utterly. Flounder means to move about clumsily, or to act with confusion. A good synonym for flounder is blunder. “After floundering through the first half of the course, Amy finally passed with the help of a tutor.”
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