Some English words appear to be similar but they have different meanings. Here are some of them.
Inveigh / inveigle
‘Inveigh’ is to criticise someone or something strongly.
The Opposition Leader inveighed against the milk food shortage.
‘Inveigle’ is to persuade someone to do what you want, especially in a dishonest way.
Norma inveigled him into revealing the names of her enemies.
Invoke / evoke
If you invoke a law, you say that you are doing something because the law allows or forces you to.
The United States threatened to invoke economic sanctions against Afghanistan if the talks between the two countries fail.
‘Evoke’ is to produce a strong feeling or memory in someone.
The photographs evoked strong memories of our holiday in Japan.
Ion / iron
‘Ion’ is an atom which has been given a positive or negative force by adding or taking away an electron.
‘Iron’ is a common hard metal that is used to make steel.
The iron and steel industry was flourishing in England.
Irony / sarcasm / satire
‘Irony‘ is a situation that is unusual or amusing because something strange happens, or the opposite of what is expected happens or is true
Life is full of little ironies.
‘Sarcasm’ is a way of speaking or writing that involves saying the opposite of what you really mean in order to make an unkind joke or to show that you are annoyed.
There was just a touch of sarcasm in his voice.
‘Satire’ is a way of criticising something such as a group of people or a system in which you deliberately make them seem funny so that people will see their faults.
Irreparable / unrepairable
‘Irreparable’ means ‘beyond remedy or repair.’ ‘Unrepairable’ is used to describe objects rather than concepts.
The engineer said the television set is unrepairable.
Jewellery / jewelry
‘Jewellery’ is the standard British English spelling. ‘Jewelry’ is standard in American English.
Judicious / judicial
‘Judicious’ means ‘done in a sensible and careful way.’
You have made a judicious choice.
‘Judicial’ means ‘relating to the law, judges or their decisions.
Junction / juncture
A junction is a place where one road joins another.
‘Juncture’ is a particular point in an activity or period of time.
The talks between the teachers’ unions and the Government are at a critical juncture.
Juror / jurist
A juror is a member of a jury.
A jurist is someone who has a very detailed knowledge of law.
Knave / nave
‘Knave’ means a dishonest boy or man. ‘Nave’ is the long central part of a church.
Landslide / landslip
Both words refer to a mass of earth or rock giving way, but only ‘landslide’ is used to dramatise an overwhelming election victory.
Last / latest
‘Last’ means most recent or nearest to the present time
Did you watch the match on television last night?
‘Latest’ means the most recent or the newest.
Have you read Osho’s latest book?
Laudable / laudatory
‘Laudable’ means deserving praise, even if not completely successful.
‘Laudatory’ means expressing praise.
Lawful / legal
‘Lawful’ means permitted by the law.
‘Legal’ means relating to law.
It is not lawful to kill someone.
What you have done is perfectly legal.
Libel / slander
A libel is something written, published or broadcast that damages a person’s character and reputation.
‘Slander’ is a spoken defamatory statement.
Lightening / lightning
‘Lightening’ means to become lighter or paler. ‘Lightning’ is the dramatic flash seen in the sky during thunderstorms.