Confusing words

Let's look at some confusing words:

• Lay and Lie are present tense verbs

'To lay' means to put something or place something

Present                                    lay(s)

Past                                            laid

  Past Participle                         laid

   Present Participle                laying
                                                                               

He lays the baby in the crib for a nap.
Lay the bowls carefully on the table.
Her father laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.
The child moved closer to her father, laying her head on his chest.


'To lie' means   to rest or recline

Present                             lie(s)
  Past                                 lay 
  Past Participle              lain
  present Participle       lying
                                                                                       

I lie on the cot.
I am lying on the cot.
I will lie on the cot tomorrow.
I lay on the cot yesterday.
I had lain on the cot just before he arrived.

• Advice and Advise

Advice is an uncountable noun. It means a suggestion about what someone should do.For instance,
My friend gave me some good advice.
I think she will take his advice.
She needs some advice on which laptop to buy.
We went to Manali on Deepak's advice.

Advise is a verb. It means to give someone advice. For instance,
The doctor advised him to quit smoking.
The bank manager will be pleased to advise you.
We were advised to reach early.

• Effect and Affect

Effect is a noun. It means a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.
For instance,
There are many bad effects of junk food.
Such weather has a negative effect on my mood.

Affect is a verb. It means to have influence or impact on something/someone. It also implies to make a difference to something.
For instance,
The pollution of the city began to affect my health.

Effect  also means the lighting, sound, or scenery used in a play, film or broadcast.
For instance,
The visual effects of the movie are amazing.

As a transitive verb, effect needs an object(something) to make something happen. It is used in formal contexts.
to effect a cure/change/recovery
The programme officers hoped to effect a smooth transition to this short-term course.
These natural remedies can sometimes effect miraculous cures.

• Adverse and Averse

Adverse is an adjective used before a noun. It means preventing success or development. It also means unfavourable. It also implies negative or harmful effect on something.

The programme has been cancelled because of adverse weather conditions.
He management received a lot of adverse criticism about the changes.
This medicine does not have any adverse effects.
Over-eating has adverse effects on  children's health.

Averse
It is also an adjective. It means having a strong dislike of or opposition to something.
Few people are averse to appearing on television.
He is averse to taking chances.
They were averse to public display of affection.


Loose                         not firmly or tightly fixed in place;
                                  clothes not fitting tightly or closely

lose                           be deprived of something
                                 unable to find something/someone

Accept                     to agree to receive or do

Except                      not including

Aisle                        a passage between rows of seats

 Isle                         an island


All together            all in one place, all at once

Altogether              completely; on the whole

Wreath                   a ring-shaped arrangement of flowers

Wreathe                 to surround or encircle

Amoral                   not concerned with right or wrong

Immoral                 not following accepted moral standards

Note:

For further study, you may refer to the book Advanced Communicative English by Dr Jimmy Sharma available at Prism Book Store, University Market, Kurukshetra, Haryana. You can place the order for the book at : 9416039073.