Popularly Confusable Words - Part Three
Adapt, Adopt; Allusion, Illusion; Averse, Adverse. These were the words I discussed in Part Two back on April 25. So here are a few more words that have become popularly confused:
Among, Between
Among is used when there are three or more people or things; between is used when there are two people or things. Both mean "in the middle of."
Among the throng of demonstrators holding placards celebrating Ben & Jerry's sat a lone man churning homemade ice cream. The lone man had placed his own placard between himself and the throng, which read: "Down with Big Ice Cream."
In using "the throng," it would appear that I didn't follow the rule of using between for two people or things, because a throng is made up of several individuals. But in this case, the throng is a singular thing, so using between is correct.
Compliment, Complement
I used to confuse these two words all the time, so I created a way to remember which is which. I give a compliment to someone for good performance or how they look. This word has an "i"--as in "I give a compliment." Complement--with an "e"--means something that completes or makes perfect. "Completes" or "makes perfect." I just remember the "i" and the "e."
The three-inch thick, New York-style cheesecake crowned with fresh strawberries complemented the six-course meal. I complimented the host for closing the meal with a rich jewel of flavor.
The adjective form of these two words are complimentary and complementary. There is no such word as complimentory or complementory with an "o." Just remember, "O! What a mistake!"
Counsel, Council
These two words are famously confused. Counsel means advise or guide in the correct direction or judgment. It's used primarily as a verb but is also a noun.
My attorney counseled (verb) me never to churn homemade ice cream in the middle of a demonstration, unless I was willing to accept my just desserts.
I ignored my attorney's counsel (noun) and now I'm serving ten days for churning without a permit and attempted loitering.
Council is always a noun meaning a body of people governing something.
The Council on Reasonable American Patriots (CRAP) came to the defense of Big Ice Cream, once again finding a way to knock the little guy down . . .well, little in the philosophical sense.
Coming next: Popularly Confusable Words - Part Four.
Affect, Effect Comprise, Compose Abjure, Adjure
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