Commonly confused words

quite vs. quiet

  quite (completely; exactly) Are you quite ready? I’m not quite sure what to do. That is not quite what I mean.   quiet (silent, noiseless, or making less noisy) Be quiet! You’ll wake the baby. Everyone was quiet during the exam. (without many people or activities) They had a …

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quiet vs. quit

  quiet (silent, noiseless, or making less noisy) Be quiet! You’ll wake the baby. Everyone was quiet during the exam. (without many people or activities) They had a quiet wedding. The streets are quite quiet today.   quit (to leave your job, a place, etc.) I don’t understand why you …

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patience vs. patients

  patience (the ability to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without becoming angry or upset) I lack the patience required to be a teacher. It takes time and patience to learn a foreign language.   patient (able to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry …

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psychology vs. psychiatry

  psychology (the science of the human mind and behavior) She earned a master’s degree in social psychology. You should apply some psychology to lose weight.   psychiatry (the study and treatment of mental illness) He decided to specialize in psychiatry after graduation. He holds a Ph. D. in the …

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punch vs. paunch

  punch (to hit with your fist) She punched him in the nose. (to make a hole in something) Punch holes in these sheets of paper using a paper punch. I need to punch another hole in my belt because it’s too big. US English (to press a button or …

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