Punctuality Rules!

MM: Confusing Words, Part 2

MM: Confusing Words, Part 2

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Which of these words confuse you?

Bath/Bathe:

  • Bath: To soak in water. (“After a long day, all I want is a nice, hot bath.”)
  • Bathe: The verb used when bathing. (“The dog was so filthy, it took me an hour to bathe him.”

Discreet/Discrete:

  • Discreet: Tactfully unobtrusive. (“The doctor was very discreet while passing on the news.”)
  • Discrete: Separate. (“Whether to sell or to quit my job are two totally discrete issues.”)

Than/Then:

  • Than: Used for a comparison. (“He’s taller than I thought he would be.”)
  • Then: A reference to time. (“I’ll stop to pick up some supper, then be right over.”)

To/Too/Two:

  • To: A preposition. (“Let me give my notes to you.”)
  • Too: Also. (“Can I have a copy, too?”)
  • Two: The number 2. (“Okay, I’ll make two copies.)

Whether/Weather:

  • Whether: Used for comparison. (“I haven’t decided whether to stay or to go.”)
  • Weather: Climate conditions. (“First sunny, then stormy–the weather has been so strange today!”)

2 thoughts on “MM: Confusing Words, Part 2

  1. Brad Shorr

    Great selection – I could have used this last week when I was confused about whether to use discreet or discrete. Those two words always throw me. I use them so infrequently I never remember the distinction.