Confusing Words: (phrases)
Meaning:
Compared to: (estimate, measure, or note the similarity or dissimilarity between.)
Compared with: (when compared.)
Compared to or Compared with Clarification: There is a slight difference between compared to and compared with.

Compared To or Compared With – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

Writers should be perfect with word choice. Incorrect phrases or word choice can give a very bad impression and can ruin any writer’s writings. Today, I am coming up with two phrases that are often get confused. They are so closely related to each other but there is a slight difference between them. The case is compared to vs. compared with.

The beginning word of each of the above phrase is same, which is a verb. Firstly, I will define the word ‘compare’ then, I will talk about the phrases.

Definition of Compare: Compare is used as a verb within a sentence. It is used to measure or to note down the similarities or differences between two things or ideas. For example, ‘I cannot compare these two views….’

Now, coming towards the two phrases ‘compared to’ and ‘compared with’, to and with are prepositions that are connected to the past tense of compare (i.e. compared). Usually, people use both of these phrases interchangeably but you have to keep in mind that there is a slight difference between them. Let’s talk about them one by one.

Compared To

This particular phrase is used to point out the similarities between two different things or ideas.

1. Her writing is compared to the work of her best friend.

2. Life is often compared to a marathon, but I think it is more like being a sprinter; long stretches of hard work punctuated by brief moments in which we are given the opportunity to perform at our best. (Michael Johnson)

Compared With

This particular phrase is used to contrast or to point out the differences and/or similarities between two things or ideas.

For example,

3. He checked out a great loss in his business this year compared with a profit last year.

4. It is good to be compared with the best player (Pele). But my dad told me about Garrincha’s style as he moved forward, went up, attacked and dribbled. Garrincha’s style is more similar to Neymar’s. (Neymar)

Check Out: What Is An Analogy?

Got the Difference?

As you have read the above explanation, compared to and compared with are often used interchangeably by most of the people. However, there are few people who know that both of these phrases have a slight difference between them.

Just remember that compared with is used to contrast or to juxtapose two things or ideas. Compared to, on the other hand, is used to liken or to point out the similarities between two things or ideas.

Thus, in the above example, life is often compared to a marathon… It means that the writer is pointing out some similarities between ‘life’ and ‘marathon’.

On the other hand, in the third and fourth example, compared with is juxtaposing two ideas.

What Did You Learn?

There is a slight difference between compared to and compared with. Compared to is used to point out the similarities between two different things or ideas. On the other hand, compared with is used to contrast or to point out the differences and/or similarities between two things or ideas.

Confusing Words: Chose (verb) and Choose (verb)
Meaning: pick out (someone or something) as being the best or most appropriate of two or more alternatives.
Chose vs Choose Clarification: Choose and chose are two different tenses of the same verb.

Chose vs Choose – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

Do not confuse yourself! It is so simple to remember the usage of these words. Chose and choose are just one-letter apart. There is a very slight difference between them, in terms of definition and pronunciation as well. Let us find out the differences between them. I will define these terms one by one.

Choose

Choose is pronounced as ‘chooz’. It is used as a verb within a sentence, which is the simple present tense.

As a verb, choose means to select, to take or to pick out someone or something from two or more things or options.

1. I have to choose a perfect outfit for tomorrow’s party.

2. Every time, my friend asks me to choose something to eat from her own bakery.

3. Words are powerful. They can create or they can destroy. So choose your word wisely. (Unknown)

Chose

Chose is pronounced as ‘choz’. It is also used as a verb within a sentence but it acts as the simple past tense of the verb ‘choose’. In this case, chose can be used to refer an action of picking out someone or something but this action should be happened in the past.

1. They chose chocolates as their main ingredient.

2. Out of 10 members, the company chose only one person as its senior employee.

3. I chose HBS for two reasons. First, it provided me with an opportunity to reflect on my life and career thus far, and where I would like to go in the future. (Harvard Business School)

Check Out: The Difference Between Council and Counsel.

Chosen as a Past Participle Form

The irregular verb ‘choose’ has a past participle form, that is ‘chosen’. It can also be used as the past perfect tense.

1. I had chosen a large teddy bear for Liza to surprise her on her birthday.

2. His chosen field is much better than yours.

What Did You Learn?

Choose and chose are two different tenses of the same verb. Choose is the simple present tense and can be used as the future tense as well. It means to select someone or something from two or more things or options. Chose, on the other hand, is the simple past tense of the verb choose.

Confusing Words: Complement (verb) and Compliment (noun/verb)
Meaning:
Complement (a thing that contributes extra features to something else in such a way as to improve or emphasize its quality.)
Compliment (a polite expression of praise or admiration.)
Complement vs Compliment Clarification: Complement and compliment are homophones having same pronunciation but different meanings and functions.

Complement vs Compliment – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

Homophones create confusion among writers and speakers. Even, I got stuck many times whenever I had to choose a particular word from a set of homophones. Today, I am coming up with two such words that sound same. This is the reason for the confusion between them. The case is complement vs. compliment.

As you can see that complement and compliment are just one-letter apart. These words are called homophones. It means that they are different in terms of meaning but are similar in terms of pronunciation.

Be careful with word choice. It is very important to keep complement and compliment apart as these words are not interchangeable. Let’s take a look upon their definitions.

Check Out: The Difference Between Amoral and Immoral.

Complement

Complement is used as a noun or a verb within a sentence. As a noun, it is used to refer something that contributes to make something else perfect or in a better condition.

As a verb, to complement means to enhance or to contribute something to something else to make its quality perfect.

1. Your tie will be a perfect complement to my outfit; so please, pass it to me. (noun)

2. Virtue is the perfect good, which is the complement of a happy life; the only immortal thing that belongs to mortality. (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (noun)

3. The choice of books that you buy, complements your nature and personality. (verb)

4. $47M Fort Worth hotel will be built to complement New Arena. (Construction Equipment Guide) (verb)

Compliment

Compliment is used as a noun or a verb within a sentence. As a noun, it is used to refer a praising expression or a remark to show respect or admiration.

1. When I reached the hall, everyone gave me beautiful compliments that made my day.

2. There never was a woman who did not prefer an oblique compliment to a straight truth – if the latter were unflattering. (Minna Antrim)

As a verb, to compliment means to praise or to give a respectable remark to someone or something.

1. He wanted you to compliment him on his performance.

2. “Tonight I have to compliment the entire squad, as they played a fine second half and managed to come back despite going a goal down. (Euro Sport)

What Did You Learn?

Complement and compliment are homophones having same pronunciation but different meanings and functions.

Complement is something that refines or improves something else.
Compliment, on the other hand, is a remark or an expression of admiration.

Confusing Words: Coworker and Co-worker (noun)
Meaning: a person with whom one works, typically someone in a similar role or at a similar level within an organization.
Coworker vs Co-worker Clarification: Coworker and co-worker are two different styles of the same word, which is used to refer a ‘colleague’.

Coworker vs Co-worker – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

There is just one difference between coworker and co-worker that is hyphen. Actually, both of these terms are correct to use. There is no difference in meaning, function and even in pronunciation. You can use any one of them as nothing is wrong with coworker and co-worker.

Definition

Coworker or co-worker is used as a noun within a sentence. It is synonymous with a colleague. It is used to refer a person with whom you work, like who has the same job like you do within an organization or an institute.

1. My coworkers/co-workers are very cooperative; this is the reason for our success.

2. One of my coworkers/co-workers got promoted. She is now the CEO of our company.

3. Join my organization and be my coworker/co-worker.

Check Out: The Difference Between Unorganized and Dis-organized.

But why there are two styles to write coworker?

The answer is preference. For instance, in AP Style, the hyphenated co-worker is much preferred than the unhyphenated coworker. In the same way, the Canadian Press style also prefers to use co-worker.

However, the Chicago Manual of Style, Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association and American Medical Manual of Style prefer to use the unhyphenated term ‘coworker’.

If we see a preference in American and British English, we will come to know that coworker is favored in American English whereas, British English prefers to use co-worker.

On the other side, if you observe the overall view, you will come to know that the hyphenated term ‘co-worker’ is very much preferred in most of the areas. Actually, co-worker is said to be the traditional spelling, on the other hand, coworker is thought to be a spelling mistake.

But, as I said above that both of the spellings are correct to use.

So, you do not need to be confused. If you want to use coworker or co-worker, just check your publication’s style. For instance, if they are following AP Style then, must choose co-worker rather than coworker. Hence, it is important to keep an eye on the particular style guide to write something without any criticism.

What Did You Learn?

Coworker and co-worker are two different styles of the same word, which is used to refer a ‘colleague’. Both of these terms are acceptable to use. However, the hyphenated co-worker is much preferred worldwide.

Confusing Words: Continually (adverb) and Continuously (adverb)
Meaning:
Continually (repeated frequently in the same way; regularly.)
Continuously (without interruption or gaps.)
Continually vs Continuously Clarification: Continually and continuously are not interchangeable.

Continually vs Continuously – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

You can notice that the pronunciations of both of these words are quite similar. This is one of the reasons for the confusion between them. Apart from the pronunciation, their meanings are also very close to each other. Even, most of the people say that continually and continuously can be used interchangeably.

However, you should not think that these words can mean same because there is a difference that has to be understood.

Check out the following definitions of each of these words.

Continually

Continually is used as an adverb within a sentence. Its adjective form is continual. Both describe duration.

It can be used for the things that happen frequently or repeatedly within short time period.
For example,

1. I continually update my page to grow up my online business.

2. The department is also planning a new concept for intersections aimed at accommodating higher traffic volume and creating continual flow of traffic. (KTVB.COM)

Continuously

Continuously is also used as an adverb within a sentence. Its adjective form is continuous. Just like continually and continual, continuously and continuous also describe duration.

It can be used for the things that happen without any interruption i.e. there should be no gap in between the events.

1. She was continuously looking at the door and after some time, she started crying.

2. Fitbit today announced the Fitbit Alta HR, which the company is calling the “world’s slimmest fitness wristband” that has a continuous heart rate monitor. (Mac Rumors)

Check Out: The Difference Between Contiguous and Continuous.

Got the Difference?

I know that these words are still making confusion. If it is making trouble then, just remember that continually (continual) can have breaks or interruptions between events, but they keep happening after the breaks.

Continuously (continuous), on the other hand, does not afford any interruption between events. They are constant. For instant, in the above example (1), she was continuously looking at the door… it means that she did not take any break while her stare. She was constantly looking at the door.

What Did You Learn?

Continually and continuously are not interchangeable. It is important to keep them apart as, there is a difference in terms of their meanings. Both are used as adverbs within sentences.

Continually is used to describe things (i.e. events) that happen frequently but there can be a break between them.

Continuously is used to describe things (i.e. events) that happen without any interruption or more likely to say with no breaks.