20 Commonly-Confused Verbs

1. Speak vs. Talk:

   • "Speak" is often used for one-way communication, while "talk" suggests a conversation involving two or more people.
   • "She speaks three languages fluently." (one-way communication)
   • "Let's talk about our plans for the weekend." (conversation involving two or more people)

2. Say vs. Tell:

   • "Say" is used to report speech, while "tell" is used to communicate information or give instructions to someone.
   • "He said he would arrive at 8 PM." (reporting speech)
   • "Can you tell me the directions to the nearest station?" (communicating information)

3. Do vs. Make:

   • "Do" is used for actions or tasks without a specific end product, while "make" is used for creating or producing something tangible.
   • "She did her homework before dinner." (action without a specific end product)
   • "He made a delicious cake for the party." (creating something tangible)

4. Bring vs. Take:

   • "Bring" implies movement toward the speaker or a specific location, while "take" implies movement away from the speaker or a specific location.
   • "Can you bring me a glass of water from the kitchen?" (movement toward the speaker)
   • "Don't forget to take your umbrella when you leave." (movement away from the speaker)

5. Rise vs. Raise:

   • "Rise" means to move upward or increase in level or amount, while "raise" means to lift or elevate something.
   • "The sun rises in the east." (moving upward)
   • "She raised her hand to ask a question." (lifting or elevating something)

6. Lie vs. Lay:

   • "Lie" means to recline or be in a horizontal position, while "lay" means to put or place something down.
   • "He lies down on the couch to relax after work." (reclining)
   • "She lays the book on the table before leaving." (putting or placing something down)

7. Go vs. Come:

   • "Go" implies movement away from the speaker or the current location, while "come" implies movement toward the speaker or the current location.
   • "I'm going to the grocery store to buy some vegetables." (movement away from the speaker)
   • "Please come to my house for dinner tonight." (movement toward the speaker)

8. Accept vs. Except:

   • "Accept" means to receive or agree to something, while "except" means to exclude or leave out something.
   • "She accepted the job offer with excitement." (receiving or agreeing to something)
   • "Everyone is invited except for Tom." (excluding or leaving out someone)

9. Choose vs. Chose:

   • "Choose" is the present tense verb meaning to make a selection.
   • "Chose" is the past tense of "choose."
   • "She chooses the blue dress for the party." (present tense)
   • "He chose the red car from the options." (past tense)

10. Lose vs. Loose:

    • "Lose" is a verb meaning to be deprived of something or to fail to win.
    • "Loose" is an adjective meaning not tight or securely fastened.
    • "I don't want to lose my keys again." (be deprived of something)
    • "Her pants are too loose around the waist." (not tight or securely fastened)

Knowledge Check: Commonly-Confused Verbs

Read each sentence carefully and determine whether the correct verb (from the given options) has been used. Choose the appropriate verb and write it in the space provided.

1. She _____ three languages fluently.

   • a) speaks
   • b) talks

2. Let's _____ about our plans for the weekend.

   • a) speak
   • b) talk

3. He _____ he would arrive at 8 PM.

   • a) said
   • b) told

4. Can you _____ me the directions to the nearest station?

   • a) say
   • b) tell

5. She _____ her homework before dinner.

   • a) did
   • b) made

6. He _____ a delicious cake for the party.

   • a) did
   • b) made

7. Can you _____ me a glass of water from the kitchen?

   • a) bring
   • b) take

8. Don't forget to _____ your umbrella when you leave.

   • a) bring
   • b) take

9. The sun _____ in the east.

   • a) rises
   • b) raises

10. She _____ her hand to ask a question.

    • a) rose
    • b) raised

11. He _____ down on the couch to relax after work.

    • a) lies
    • b) lays

12. She _____ the book on the table before leaving.

    • a) lies
    • b) lays

13. I'm _____ to the grocery store to buy some vegetables.

    • a) going
    • b) coming

14. Please _____ to my house for dinner tonight.

    • a) go
    • b) come

15. She _____ the job offer with excitement.

    • a) accepts
    • b) excepts

16. Everyone is invited _____ for Tom.

    • a) except
    • b) accept

17. She _____ the blue dress for the party.

    • a) chooses
    • b) chose

18. He _____ the red car from the options.

    • a) chooses
    • b) chose

19. I don't want to _____ my keys again.

    • a) lose
    • b) loose

20. Her pants are too _____ around the waist.

    • a) lose
    • b) loose

Ready to See the Answers?

Answer Key:

1. a) speaks
2. b) talk
3. a) said
4. b) tell
5. a) did
6. b) made
7. a) bring
8. b) take
9. a) rises
10. b) raised
11. a) lies
12. b) lays
13. a) going
14. b) come
15. a) accepts
16. a) except
17. a) chooses
18. b) chose
19. a) lose
20. b) loose