Commonly confused words part 3 - When do I use 'advice', 'advices', and 'advise'? - Write Limited
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Commonly
confused
words part 3
When do I use
‘advice’, ‘advices’,
and ‘advise’?
© Write Limited 2021If you don’t care about the difference
between ‘advice’, ‘advices’, and ‘advise’, does
that make you disinterested or uninterested?
Read our simple illustrated explanations of
10 pairs of words people often muddle up.
• Adverse/averse
• Advice/advise
• Bare/bear
• Disinformation/misinformation
• Disinterested/uninterested
• Draft/draught
• Every day/everyday
• Licence/license
• Role/roll
• Stationary/stationery
If you haven’t seen Commonly confused
words parts 1 and 2, don’t miss out!
Download parts 1 and 2
© Write Limited 2021Adverse/averse
Adverse Averse
No…
Use ‘adverse’ when you mean Use ‘averse’ when you mean
‘unfavourable’. ‘Adverse’ is a ‘against’ or ‘strongly dislike’.
word that describes things ‘Averse’ is a word that describes
(adjective). things (adjective).
The contractors could not Many people are averse to
build the factory on time speaking in public.
because of adverse weather.
The board rejected our
Patients on this medication recommendation because
can suffer adverse effects they were averse to risk.
like nausea.
© Write Limited 2021Advice/advise
Advice Advise
Wash your
hands
Use ‘advice’ with a ‘C’ when Use ‘advise’ with an ‘S’ when
you mean ‘guidance’. ‘Advice’ is you mean ‘give guidance to’.
a word that identifies things ‘Advise’ is a doing word (verb),
(noun). Used this way, it is so you can also say advises,
uncountable — you can’t say advised, or advising.
one advice, two advices.
Doctors advise patients to lead
Sam gives good advice, so a healthy lifestyle.
I usually do what she says.
‘Advise’ can also mean ‘formally
In finance, ‘advice’ means a tell’.
‘transaction notice’. Used this The police officer advised the
way, it is countable — you can suspect of their rights.
say one advice, two advices.
Companies sometimes send
remittance advices when they
pay suppliers’ invoices.
© Write Limited 2021Bare/Bear
Bare Bear
Use ‘bare’ when you mean Use ‘bear’ when you mean
‘uncovered’. ‘Bare’ is a word ‘carry’. Used this way, ‘bear’ is a
that describes things doing word (verb), so you can
(adjective). also say bears, bore, and
bearing.
The gardener is careful never When someone is new to a
to mow the lawn in bare feet. job, colleagues often bear a
heavier load, helping where
‘Bare’ can also mean ‘empty’. they can and showing the
person what to do.
The office was bare after the
company moved out. ‘Bear’ can refer to large furry
mammals. Used this way, it is a
And ‘bare’ can mean ‘basic’. word that identifies things
(noun).
The charity tries to make sure
people have at least the bare Grizzly bears and polar bears
essentials. live in different parts of the
world.
© Write Limited 2021Disinformation/
misinformation
Disinformation Misinformation
He he Oops!
Use ‘disinformation’ when you Use ‘misinformation’ when you
mean ‘false information that is mean ‘false information that is
intended to deceive’. not intended to deceive’.
‘Disinformation’ is a word that ‘Misinformation’ is a word that
identifies things (noun). identifies things (noun).
‘Disinformation’ starts with ‘D’, ‘Misinformation’ starts with
just like ‘deliberate’ and ‘MIS’, just like ‘mistake’.
‘deceive’.
If you share information you’re
Disinformation is intentionally unsure of, be careful that
wrong and can be harmful. you’re not spreading
misinformation.
Deliberately misleading
conspiracy theories and Rumours that are
propaganda are types of unintentionally wrong are a
disinformation. type of misinformation.
© Write Limited 2021Disinterested/
uninterested
Disinterested Uninterested
Zzz
Use ‘disinterested’ when you Use ‘uninterested’ when you
mean ‘unbiased’. ‘Disinterested’ mean ‘not interested’.
is a word that describes things ‘Uninterested’ is a word that
(adjective). describes things (adjective).
She has a lot at stake — can Except for one uninterested
her advice really be impartial person, board members were
and disinterested? keen to learn more about our
proposal.
The researchers are seen to be
credible and disinterested When voting, it can be hard to
because they rejected funding decide between candidates.
from lobby groups. Who genuinely wants to make
a difference? Who is
uninterested and only in it for
the money?
© Write Limited 2021Draft/draught
Draft Draught
Use ‘draft’ when you mean ‘not Use ‘draught’ when you mean
final’. ‘Draft’ can be a word that ‘cold air blowing into a room’. It
identifies things (noun). is a word that identifies things
(noun).
If you’re reviewing a draft
Everyone wore a pullover
document, check if the writer because of the draught from
wants you to correct spelling under the door.
and grammar.
It can also mean ‘beer or cider
‘Draft’ can also be a doing word from a barrel or tank’. It is a
(verb), so you can also say word that describes things
drafts, drafted, and drafting. (adjective).
I’m drafting the business case Draught beer is beer that is ‘on
now, so please send me the tap’.
figures as soon as possible.
US English uses ‘draft’ for all
meanings of the word. It does
not use ‘draught’.
© Write Limited 2021Every day/everyday
Every day Everyday
Everyday Not everyday
Use ‘every day’ (two words) Use ‘everyday’ (one word)
when you mean ‘daily’. ‘Every when you mean ‘ordinary’.
day’ is a modifying word ‘Everyday’ is a word that
(adverb). describes things (adjective).
The engineer checked the The machine is so old and
machine’s performance every defective that breakdowns are
day during the trial. an everyday occurrence.
He doesn’t come to the office Coffee has become an
every day. He works from everyday drink.
home twice a week.
© Write Limited 2021Licence/license
Licence License
Driver Licence
Use ‘licence’ with a ‘C’ when Use ‘license’ with an ‘S’ when
you mean ‘certificate’ or you mean ‘authorise’. It is a
‘permit’. ‘Licence’ is a word that doing word (verb), so you can
identifies things (noun). Used also say licenses, licensed, and
this way, it is countable — you
can say one licence, two licensing.
licences. The council licensed him as an
You need a licence to run a inspector.
food business.
Our company licenses people
to sell on our behalf.
‘Licence’ can also mean
‘freedom’. ‘Licence’ is still a
word that identifies things US English uses ‘license’ for all
(noun). Used this way, it is meanings of the word. It does
uncountable — you cannot say not use ‘licence’.
one licence, two licences.
A loophole in the law gave
some people licence to do
what they liked.
© Write Limited 2021Role/roll
Role Roll
Use ‘role’ with ‘LE’ when you Use ‘roll’ with two ‘Ls’ when
mean ‘position’. ‘Role’ is a word you mean ‘turn’. ‘Roll’ is a doing
that identifies things (noun). word (verb), so you can also say
rolls, rolled, and rolling.
Authority to approve
payments and hire staff Because of their high centre of
belongs to a role, not to a gravity, four-wheel drive
person. If someone resigns, vehicles can roll over and
they no longer have that cause serious accidents when
authority. the vehicles are off road.
We need a specialist role for
‘Roll’ can also mean ‘cylinder’. It
this — there’s too much for
is a word that identifies things
anyone to do in their existing
(noun).
job.
The carpet layer will calculate
how many rolls of carpet the
room needs.
© Write Limited 2021Stationary/stationery
Stationary Stationery
e
Use ‘stationary’ with an ‘A’ Use ‘stationery’ with an ‘E’
when you mean ‘not moving’. when you mean ‘writing
‘Stationary’ is a word that materials’. ‘Stationery’ is a
describes things (adjective). word that identifies things
(noun).
‘Stationary’ is spelt with an ‘A’,
a letter with two feet firmly He tried to keep within the
planted so it doesn’t move. stationery budget by paying
for paper himself.
The delivery will be late
because the driver is stuck in Our stationery cupboard is
stationary traffic. such a mess that I can’t find
any pens.
Prices are almost stationary —
we see this in near-zero
inflation.
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