Commonly confused words

ought vs. aught

  ought  rather formal (used to express something that is expected or will happen) Children of this age ought to be able to read. She ought to be home by now. (used to express something that should be done) He ought to be kinder to her. You ought to respect the law. …

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overdue vs. overdo

  overdue (not paid, completed or arrived at an expected or required time) I must remind you that the rent is overdue. Her baby is 15 days overdue.   overdo (do or use too much of something) Work hard but be careful not to overdo it. I think you overdid the …

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nuts vs. nut

  nuts  informal (mad, insane, crazy) Turn that radio down. It’s driving me nuts. She looked at me as if I were nuts.   nut (a dry fruit with a hard shell) She cracked the nut and ate it. (a metal ring that you screw a bolt through to fasten things …

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noble vs. nobble

  noble (morally good and caring) He is a noble man; everyone respects him. It was very noble of you to put out the fire. (belonging to a high social class) She was born into a noble family.   nobble (to make someone do what you want, especially by offering …

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neat vs. nit

neat vs. nit   neat  adjective (tidy, everything arranged in its proper place) Your room is always so neat. She always keeps her apartment neat and clean. [more meanings]   nit  noun (the egg of a louse which sticks to a human hair or the fur of an animal) No …

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