commonly confused words

acceed = to agree / give in

He acceded to their demands

exceed = to be greater than

Unfortunately, their expenditure exceeded their income.

advise = to make helpful suggestions

He advised me to change my job.

advice [always singular uncountable] = helpful suggestions

He accepted her advice.

affect = to cause a change in s.o. or sth.

The wet climate is affecting her health.

the effect = result

The effect of the changes was increased efficiency.

allowed = past participle of to allow

The children were not allowed to go out alone at night.

aloud [adverb] = audibly

He read the poem aloud.

assent = to agree to sth. Also noun.

He assented to all their demands.

He gave his assent.

ascent = upward movement

It was the first ascent of that mountain.

bear = 1. to carry [often abstract] 2. a large furry animal.

The man at the top bears all the responsibility.

The saw some grizzly bears.

bare = naked

The walked on the beach with bare feet.

bury = to put under the ground

He was buried in the village churchyard.

a berry = small fruit

blew = simple past of to blow

The wind blew her hat off.

blue = a colour

The colour of this table is pale blue.

"working hard"

"hardly working"

[ Thanks for this one to Summer Berisotsky]

Usually English adverbs end in -ly, but in "working hard" it is acceptable to use the word "hard" without an -ly. When someone is working hard, they are concentrating on their job, and getting work done:

Tom was working hard on his report because it was due in three days.

When someone is "hardly working", they are barely working:

ie hardly = almost not

By the time the majority of the class had finished the assignment, one girl was only halfway finished because she was hardly working.

There was hardly enough money to pay for what they had bought.

He was hardly taller than his young son.

for good

for all time / forever

a good for nothing

useless, worthless person

to hold good

to remain true or valid; to remain in force.

The rule still holds good.

to make good [intrans]

to succeed in life

He had a bad start in life but he made good.

to make good [trans]

legal promise to repair or replace (a defect or deficiency)

The company shall make good any defects in this appliance.