SIMILAR WORDS

2.
It is difficult to understand
what another person likes


Ex: There is no accounting for
taste I thought as I saw the
man walk by in the red pants
and the green shoes.


(There is no) accounting for taste(s)


SIMILAR WORDS


Similar words are often confusing
if they have similar meanings but
cannot be interchanged.
Sometimes they have the same
root, prefix, or suffix. Sometimes
they have similar spelling. The
grammatical structure and the
meaning of the sentence will help
you determine which is correct.


STRATEGIES FOR SIMILAR WORD
ITEMS
ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:

 Many words seem similar
because they contain
similar letters. Do the other
words in the sentence help
you understand the
meaning of the word?
INCORRECT
gift.]
CORRECT

[The manager will except the
The manager will accept the


 Some words can refer to the same topic but have
different meanings. Do you know the different
meanings of a word?
INCORRECT [Do you have change for a ten-dollar
currency?]
CORRECT Do you have change for a ten-dollar bill?
 Some words have similar spellings, but they have
very different meanings or are different parts of
speech. Can you tell the difference?
INCORRECT [The athlete does not want to loose
the race.]
CORRECT The athlete does not want to lose the race.


Currency (n) the system

of money that a
country uses: trading
in foreign currencies.
A single European
currency. You’ll need
some cash in local
currency but you can
also use your credit


Bill (n) = Note (n) (also
banknote) (both
especially BrE) (NAmE
usually bill) [C] a piece
of paper money:
A £5 note. We only
exchange notes and
traveller’s cheques. A


1. The task was divided
into ..... parts.
(A) like
(B) same
(C) equal
(D) even


Like (preposition)
similar to sb/sth: She’s

wearing a dress like mine.


Same exactly the one or ones
referred to or mentioned; not
different


Equal (adjective) equal (to sb/sth) the
same in size, quantity, value, etc. as
sth else:
Ex: There is an equal number of boys
and girls in the class. One unit of
alcohol is equal to half a pint of beer.


2. We were ........ impressed
with the recommendations at
the end of the report.
(A) specially
(B) special
(C) especial
(D) especially


Impressed (adjective) impressed
(by / with sb/sth) feeling admiration
for sb/sth because you think they are
particularly good, interesting, etc.:
I must admit I am impressed.

Recommendation (to sb)
(for / on / about sth) an official
suggestion about the best thing to do:
to accept / reject a recommendation


Specially (adverb) for a particular
purpose, person, etc.: The ring was
specially made for her. A specially
designed diet plan. We came specially
to see you.


Especially (adverb) (abbr. esp.)
very much; to a particular degree:
I wasn’t feeling especially happy that day.
‘Do you like his novels?’ ‘Not especially.’


3. Your ........ during our visit
has been greatly appreciated.
(A) hospice
(B) hospital
(C) hospitality
(D) hospitable


To appreciate (verb) [vn] (not

used in the progressive tenses)
to recognize the good qualities
of sb/sth: You can’t really
appreciate foreign literature
in translation.


Hospice (noun) a hospital for
people who are dying: an
AIDS hospice


Hospitable (to / towards sb) (of a
person) pleased to welcome guests;
generous and friendly to
visitors SYN  Welcoming: The local
people are very hospitable to
strangers.
Hospitality (n) friendly and
generous behaviour towards
guests:Thank you for your kind
hospitality.


4. With prices ..... at such a
rapid rate, buyers should
compare prices.
(A) ascending
(B) increasing
(C) enlarging

(D) expanding


Rapid (adj.) done or
happening very quickly: a
rapid pulse / heartbeat. The
guard fired four shots in rapid
succession. The disease is
spreading at a rapid rate.


Rate (n) a measurement of the
speed at which sth happens:
Most people walk at an
average rate of 5 kilometres
an hour.