Commonly Confused Words
1. Evolution & Revolution
Evolution means any process of formation or growth; development.
Usage Example: After years of evolution has man been able to reach the moon.
Revolution means a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving.
Usage Example: The industrial revolution changed many things in the sphere of farming.
2. Evolve & Devolve
Evolve means to develop gradually.
Usage Example: No one can imagine that such beautiful butterflies evolve from the ugly looking larvae.
Devolve have the following meanings:
1. To be transferred or passed on from one to another.
Usage Example: On assuming office what responsibilities may devolve upon him can only be guessed.
2. To pass to another by operation of law, esp on intestacy or bankruptcy.
Usage Example: The duties of the vast estate devolved on the heir.
3. To roll down or cause to roll down.
Usage Example: The country devolved into separate warring factions.
3. Exalt & Exult
Exalt means to rise in rank, honor, power, character, quality, etc.; elevate.
Usage Example: The humble musician was exalted to the rank of being the royal musician.
Exult means to show or feel a lively or triumphant joy; rejoice exceedingly; be highly elated or jubilant.
Usage Example: The winning team exulted over their victory.
4. Exceed & Excel
Exceed means:
1. To go beyond the bounds or limits of.
Usage Example: The data is chargeable if you exceed the usage allowance.
2. To surpass; be superior to; excel.
Usage Example: Her performance exceeded that of her teacher.
Excel means to surpass; be superior to; outdo.
Usage Example: She excels in everything she puts her mind to.
5. Exceptionable & Exceptional
Exceptionable means open to or subject to objection; objectionable.
Usage Example: At times people use exceptionable language in the chat rooms.
Exceptional means forming an exception or rare instance; unusual; extraordinary
Usage Example: An IQ of 140 and above is exceptional.
6. Exclude & Exude
Exclude has the following meanings:
1. To shut or keep out; prevent the entrance of.
Usage Example: Using one option does not mean to exclude the other.
2. To expel and keep out; thrust out; eject.
Usage Example: The board excluded his sons from participating in the proceedings.
Exude means to come out gradually in drops, as sweat, through pores or small openings; ooze out.
Usage Example: To succeed in an interview one must exude confidence in oneself.
7. Exercise & Exorcise
Exercise has the following meanings:
1. Bodily or mental exertion, especially for the sake of training or improvement of health
Usage Example: Physical exercise is good for the brain as well.
2. A putting into action, use, operation, or effect.
Usage Example: She exercised great caution while talking to him.
3. To have as an effect.
Usage Example: the teachings of his mentor exercised a lot of influence on him.
Exorcise means to seek to expel (an evil spirit) by adjuration or religious or solemn ceremonies.
Usage Example: He tried to exorcise his fear by singing loudly.
8. Exhort, Export & Extort
Exhort means to urge, advice, or caution earnestly; admonish urgently.
Usage Example: He tried to exhort the judge to have patience till he could get hold of further evidence.
Export means goods ( visible exports) or services ( invisible exports) sold to a foreign country or countries.
Usage Example: Colombia exports a great deal of coffee.
Extort means to secure (money, favours, etc) by intimidation, violence, or the misuse of influence or authority.
Usage Example: It was not easy to extort information from the guard of the building.
9. Expand & Expend
Expand have the following meanings:
1. To increase in extent, size, volume, scope, etc.
Usage Example: The gardener placed the bulbs at an equal distance leaving space for the plant to flower and expand.
2. To spread out; unfold; develop.
Usage Example: The balloon expanded when it was filled with air.
Expend means to use up.
Usage Example: At the end of the day she had no energy left to expend on household chores.
10. Expanse & Expense
Expanse means an uninterrupted space or area; a wide extent of anything.
Usage Example: The wide expanse of greenery in the valley was breathtaking.
Expense means cost or charge.
Vocabulary Preparation Series
_0.gif?null)
_4.jpg?null)
