device vs. devise device (a machine or piece of equipment that does a special job) The electronic device opens the door automatically. This device can find metal under the ground. devise (invent a new way of doing something) We must devise a new system for dealing with problems. We need …
Read More »detract vs. distract
detract vs. distract detract (make something seem less good) The peeling wall detracts from the beauty of the house. The scandal will detract from his fame. distract (to draw someone’s attention away from what they are doing) Don’t distract my attention. I’m trying to study. The movie distracted me …
Read More »dessert vs. desert
dessert (sweet food that you eat at the end of a meal) I would like some ice cream for dessert. After dinner, we had apple pie for dessert. desert (a large area of land where there is almost no water, rain, trees, or plants) This part of the country …
Read More »describe vs. ascribe
describe vs. ascribe describe (to say what someone or something is like) Can you describe the house in perfect detail? It is very difficult to describe how I feel. ascribe (to regard something as being due to something else) I ascribe good grade in the exam to your hard …
Read More »deprecate vs. depreciate
deprecate vs. depreciate deprecate (to express strong disapproval of) I don’t mean to deprecate your accomplishments. We love peace and deprecate war strongly. depreciate (to lose value over time) New cars depreciate as soon as they are on the road. The euro was depreciated against the dollar. deprecate …
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