English Grammar
Commonly Confused Words
First vs FastFirst refers to someone or something or someone’s actions which happen before everything else. Fast can both be an adjective and adverb which means quick or quickly.
By And By vs GraduallyBy and by means ‘after a short and/or undetermined period of time.’ Gradually refers to something happening in a gradual way; slowly; by degrees.
Before vs AgoBefore refers to ‘at any time past now/then’ counting back from a past moment. Ago is used to refer a time expression to count back from the present.
At Present vs PresentlyAt present means a moment or period in time which is not past and not future but between them. Presently also means “now” which is most often used with the present tense and presently in the use of future tense means ‘soon.'
As a whole vs WhollyAs a whole is used to make a statement that relates to all the parts of something which is considered as a group and not in parts. Wholly means ‘to the fullest extent’ and is synonymous to completely and entirely.
Altogether vs All TogetherAltogether as an adverb is often confused with the adverbial phrase All Together. This article clarifies the confusions between the adverb and the adverbial phrase.
Alternately vs AlternativelyAlternately means one after another or consecutively. It does not mean ‘in exchange/change of anything.’
Almost vs NearlyAlmost is defined as there is only a little way to go to reach a certain point. Almost can also mean ‘similar to, but not exactly the same’ but nearly cannot be used to mean that.
Theatre & PlayTheatre mean a building, room, or outside area used for performing plays. A play is a dramatic work that's written to be staged in a theater and in front of an audience.
Street & RoadStreet is a road in a town or city with houses or other buildings along it. Road is a way that leads from one place to another.