Don’t miss these “20 most misused word pairs asked in verbal section” !

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Although thousands of different word-usage errors could appear in MBA entrance test , the test repeatedly includes commonly misused words. The following is a list of twenty commonly misused word pairs, along with definitions and examples of the proper use of each word. Accept, Except Accept is a verb that means “to agree to receive something”. Example: I could not pay for my purchases with a credit card because the store would only accept cash. Except is either a preposition that means “other than, or but,” or a verb meaning “to omit or leave out.” Example: Except for a B+ in history, Kate received all As on her report card. Affect, Effect Affect is usually a verb meaning “to influence.” Example: Fortunately, Kylie’s sore ankle did not affecther performance in the game. Effect is usually a noun that “indicates or achieves a result.” Effect is also sometimes used as a transitive verb meaning “to bring into existence,” but it is generally not used in this way in exam. Example: Studies have shown that too much exercise can have a negative effect on a person’s health. Among, Between Among is used with more than two items. Example: Jackie’s performance last night was the best among all the actors in the play. Between is usually used with two items. Example: Simon could not decide between the two puppies at the pound, so he adopted them both. Assure, Insure, Ensure Assure means “to convince” or “to guarantee” and usually takes a direct object. Example: If we leave two hours early, I assureyou that we will arrive at the concert on time. Insure means “to guard against loss.” Example: Before he could leave for his trip, Steve had to insure his car against theft. Ensure means “to make certain.” Example: Our company goes to great lengths to ensure that every product that leaves the warehouse is of the highest quality. Because, Since Because means “for the reason that.” Example: My sister was late for school because she missed the bus. Since implies “time,” either continuous or not, in addition to “reason.” Example: Since he lost the election, he has remained sequestered in his home. It is important to note that in your writing, you should be aware of the subtle difference in meaning. However, in some Critical Reasoning passages and question stems,exam questions often uses “since” as a conjunction to mean “in as much as” or “because.” Compare to, Compare with Compare to means “assert a likeness.” Example: The only way to describe her eyes is to compare them tothe color of the sky. Compare with means “analyze for similarities and differences.” Example: For her final project, Susan had to compare bike riding with other aerobic activities and report her findings. Complement, Compliment Complement implies “something that completes or adds to” something else. Example: My favorite place to dine is on the terrace; the breathtaking views are the ideal complementto a romantic dinner. A compliment is “flattery or praise.” Example: Larry was thrilled when the award-winning author complimented him on his writing style. Farther, Further Farther refers to distance. Example: At baseball camp, Jack learned that with the correct stance and technique, he could throw the ball farther this year than he could last year. Further indicates “additional degree, time, or quantity.” It can also be used as a verb. Example: I enjoyed the book to a certain degree, but I felt that the author should have provided further details about the characters. Example: Kim furthered her education by taking summer classes. Fewer, Less Fewer refers to units or individuals that can be counted. Example: Trish received all the credit, even though she worked fewer hours on the project than did the other members of the group. Less refers to mass or bulk that can’t be counted. Example: When it comes to reading, Mike is less inclined to read for pleasure than is Stephanie. Imply, Infer Imply means “to suggest.” Example: His sister did not mean to imply that he was incorrect. Infer means “to deduce,” “to guess,” or “to conclude.” Example: The professor’s inference was correct concerning the identity of the student. Its, It’s Its is the possessive form of “it.” Example: In the summer, my family enjoys drinking white tea for its refreshing, light flavor. It’s is the contraction of “it is.” Example: Fortunately for the runners, it’s a sunny day. Lay, Lie Lay means “to put” or “to place,” and requires a direct object to complete its meaning. Example: To protect your floor or carpet, you should always lay newspaper or a sheet on the ground before you begin to paint a room. Lie means “to recline, rest, or stay” or “to take a position of rest.” This verb cannot take a direct object. The past tense of lie is lay, so use extra caution if you see these words. Example: On sunny days, our lazy cat will lie on the porch and bask in the warmth of the sunlight. Example: Yesterday, our lazy cat lay in the sun for most of the afternoon. Like, Such as Like indicates similarity. Example: Kate and Allie were very close, liketwo peas in a pod. Such as indicates an example or examples. Example: Composers such as Mozart and Bach are among my favorites. Number, Amount Number is used when the items can be counted. Example: The numberof students enrolled at Valley College has increased during the last five years. Amount denotes quantity. Example: A small amount of rain has fallen so far this year. Principal, Principle Principal is a noun meaning “the head of a school or an organization.” Example: A high school principal is responsible not only for the educational progress of his students, but also for their emotional well-being. Principal can also mean “a sum of money.” Example: I hope to see a 30 percent return on my principal investment within the first two years. Principal can also be used as an adjective to mean “first” or “leading.” Example: Our principal concern is the welfare of our customers, not the generation of profits. Principle is a noun meaning “a basic truth or law.” Example: A study of basic physics includes Newton’s principle that every action has an opposite and equal reaction. Than, Then Than is a conjunction used in comparison. Example: Rana made fewer mistakes during her presentation than she thought she would make. Then is an adverb denoting time. Example: Mandy updated her resume and then applied for the job. That, Which That introduces an essential clause in a sentence. Commas are not required before the word that. Example: I usually take the long route because the main highway that runs through town is always so busy. Which is best used to introduce a clause containing nonessential and descriptive information. Commas are required before the word which if is used in this way. Which can also be used to introduce an essential clause to avoid repeating the word that in the sentence. Example: The purpose of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, which amended the original Civil Rights Act of 1964, was to strengthen and improve federal civil rights laws. Example: I gave Mandy that book, which I thought she might like. There, Their, They’re There is an adverb specifying location. Example: Many people love to visit a big city, but few of them could ever live there. Their is a possessive pronoun. Example: More employers are offering new benefits to their employees, such as day-care services and flexible scheduling. They’re is a contraction of “they are.” Example: They’re hoping to reach a decision by the end of the day. Whether, If Whether should be used when listing alternatives. Example: Traci could not decide whether to order the fish or the chicken. If should be used when referring to a future possibility. Example: If Traci orders the fish, she will be served more quickly. Your, You’re Your is a possessive pronoun. Example: Sunscreen protects yourskin from sun damage. You’re is a contraction of “you are.” Example: When you’re at the beach, always remember to wear sunscreen.   cat verbal ability questions verbal ability for cat syllabus best book for verbal ability for cat cat verbal preparation material how to prepare for verbal ability verbal ability for cat pdf how to improve verbal ability for cat how to prepare for verbal ability and reading comprehension for cat pdf

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