Common Errors in English Usage; confusing words. Part 4

Confusing words in English language with examples

If you are just joining us, endeavor to check the previous lessons. Click here for part 1, here for part 2 and here for part 3

Today's lesson

• Borrow /lend

Borrow; take, receive.
Lend; give.

1. As he was still owing me five thousand dollars, I was careful not to lend him any more money.

2. Kindly lend me your book because my friend has borrowed mine yesterday.

• Damage /damages

Damage; harm, destruction or injury that causes loss of value.
Damages; reward or compensation (especially in a monetary terms) paid as a result of damage done.

1. The violent storm that occurred on Easter money destroyed many houses and caused more damage in Lagos generally.

2. He claimed that Mr. John's utterance was tantamount to defamation of character, so he sued for damages.

• Disease/ deceased

Disease: illness ; disorder of the body or plant .
Deceased; a person who has recently died.

1. Aids is the most dreaded disease the world has recorded.

2. The deceased man was buried last month.

• Persecute /prosecute

Persecute; to harass somebody because of his belief.
Prosecute; t bring legal suit against a person.

1. In some religious communities, homosexuals are still subject to persecution.

2. Gideon has vowed to prosecute anyone caught stealing in his company.

• Onset /outset

Onset; the starting point of something bad.
Outside; starting point of something good.

1. The man declared his intention from the outset .

2. Right from the onset, I know she want succeed with her plan.

• Invincible / invisible

Invincible; something that cannot be conquered, too strong to be defeated.
Invisible; that cannot be seen.

1. Brazil has an invincible football team.

2. All these people seemed to be driven by some invisible power.

• Censure; to criticize somebody severely, to show formally that one disapproves of somebody.
  Censor; a person officially appointed to examine.

1. Two members of the parliament were censured by the speaker.

2. The government should set up a body whose duty will be to censor.

• Invaluable / valueless

Invaluable; extremely useful; priceless of great value, too great to estimate.
Valueless; worthless, without value.

1. The handbook contains over three hundred pages of invaluable advice and information.

2. It is no use borrowing money to repair the damaged car; it is valueless.

Try to form sentences with given examples above in the comment section of this post.

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