Letters Bb and Cc Vocabulary Mistakes that Bedevil English Speakers and Learners
10 Common Vocabulary Errors in Letters Bb and Cc
Both native and non-native English speakers are prone to making mistakes in English vocabulary.
This is because many English words do rhyme with one another but actually have very different meanings.
While it may be difficult to develop a perfect grasp of English vocabulary, it is still possible to continuously polish and avoid the common mistakes in our English word choices.
Below is a list of the 10 most common English vocabulary mistakes that begin with letters Bb and Cc.
1. Bate versus Bait
Bate means to reduce the impact or force of something while bait means to tempt something or someone.
Example:
Wrong: Whichever way you look at it, she bated him into buying her that flashy car.
Right: Whichever way you look at it, she baited him into buying her that flashy car.
2. Beside versus Besides
The word beside shows that a position is at the side of or close to another thing or person. Besides, on the other hand, shows additions to a thing or person.
Example:
Wrong: Beside cakes, we’ll also be serving hotdogs, ice creams, and spaghetti at the party.
Right: Besides cakes, we’ll also be serving hotdogs, ice creams, and spaghetti at the party.
3. Bloc versus Block
Bloc refers to a group or a union while block refers to a cube.
Example:
Wrong: It’s a tough political situation for the president. A block of lawmakers does not want to pass the law.
Right: It’s a tough political situation for the president. A bloc of lawmakers does not want to pass the law.
4. Bring versus Take
Bring insinuates giving something to a person. Take, in contrast, insinuates taking something from a person.
Example:
Wrong: I’m so sorry but can you please take me the files on my office desk?
Right: I’m so sorry but can you please bring me the files on my office desk?
5. Cannon versus Canon
Cannon is a weapon for destruction, a war machine meant to kill people. Canon is a law, a rule that must be followed.
Example:
Wrong: Soon after the canons rolled in, all I could hear was the terrifying sound of fighting.
Right: Soon after the cannons rolled in, all I could hear was the terrifying sound of fighting.
6. Canvas versus Canvass
A canvas is a kind of cloth that is heavy and often used in arts. Canvass is studying or surveying something in detail.
Example:
Wrong: The poll canvas is over. We won the elections!
Right: The poll canvass is over. We won the elections!
7. Cite versus Site
To cite is to refer to something while a site is a place or space.
Example:
Wrong: Our engineers are doing an ocular inspection of the cite. They need to make sure that the place is safe for residential buildings.
Right: Our engineers are doing an ocular inspection of the site. They need to make sure that the place is safe for residential buildings.
8. Complement versus Compliment
A complement is a thing that makes something full or complete. A compliment is a favorable remark about something.
Example:
Wrong: Wow, you look so mature! Please take that as a complement.
Right: Wow, you look so mature! Please take that as a compliment.
9. Comprise versus Composed of
Comprise is used to refer to the parts that make up a whole. Composed of is used to refer to the whole that is composed of the parts.
Example:
Wrong: You may not believe it but this collage is actually comprised of 100,000 small Post-it notes!
Right: You may not believe it but this collage is actually composed of 100,000 small Post-it notes!
10. Cynical versus Skeptical
Cynical means mocking and disparaging while skeptical means unconvinced or disbelieving.
Example:
Wrong: Naturally skeptical, he speaks ill of other people most of the time.
Right: Naturally cynical, he speaks ill of other people most of the time.
Copyright © 2011 Kerlyn Bautista
All Rights Reserved
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