Confusing Words: Illusion (noun) and Delusion (noun)
Meaning:
Illusion (an instance of a wrong or misinterpreted perception of a sensory experience.)
Delusion (a mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea.)
Illusion vs Delusion Clarification: Both the words are grammatically correct but have small differences in their meanings. Both of them refer to the idea of misperception.

Illusion vs. Delusion – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

Sometimes, a person might think twice while choosing a suitable word. Such is the case with illusion vs. delusion. Most of the people have confusions related to these words.

Illusion and delusion are two correct words to use within sentences. They have their specific meanings. Both of these words are related to perception, awareness or belief, that is why, these words are often mixed up. Let us define these terms one by one.

Illusion

Illusion is used as a noun within a sentence. It is used to refer to a misperception or a false belief; or something that is not true or real.

1. The game gives the illusion of safety.

2. Stop having the illusion that there will be a calm environment during the working hours.

3. We live in illusion and the appearance of the things. There is a reality. We are that reality. When you understand this, you see that you are nothing, and being nothing, you are everything. That is all. (Kalu Rinpoche)

Delusion

Like illusion, delusion is also used as a noun within a sentence. It is also used to refer to a misperception but in a dangerous way. Delusion is such an action that dangerously misleads a person and that results in a mental illness. It is, mainly, called an abnormal state that is full of such wrong beliefs.

1. He is not normal because he is still suffering under the delusion that he will be a failed person.

2. The ignorant mind, with its infinite afflictions, passions, and evils, is rooted in the three poisons. Greed, anger, and delusion. (Bodhi Dharma)

Check Out: Difference Between Prognosis and Diagnosis.

Did You Get The Difference Between Illusion and Delusion?

The reason that the words ‘illusion’ and ‘delusion’ are often mixed up is that both of these words are related to the idea of misperception.

From the above examples and definitions of illusion and delusion, it has been noticed that delusion is such a state that is quite harmful and dangerous. Illusion is not as serious as a delusion. Though, illusion is a wrong belief but in an innocent way. It is not harmful like a delusion.

What Did You Learn?

Illusion and delusion describes two different states. So, it is important to keep them apart. Though, both of these words are related to a misperception but illusion is not as serious and dangerous than delusion.

Illusion: Magicians use illusions in their tricks.
Delusion: A delusion may be a suffering or an abnormal state.

Confusing Words: Degree (noun) and Diploma (noun)
Meaning:
Degree (the amount, level, or extent to which something happens or is present.)
Diploma (a document given by an educational institution conferring a degree on a person or certifying that the person has satisfactorily completed a course of study.)
Degree vs Diploma Clarification: These are two different awards given by the education section and can not be used interchangeably.

Degree vs. Diploma – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

Both of these words are academic words. It means that they are related to educational sector. However, there are a few differences between them that you should remember. Mixing them up will cause a great confusion among listeners or readers. Let me discuss it one by one.

Degree

A degree is an award which is given by recognized colleges and universities. After a successful completion of a particular program, a college or a university award a degree to the candidates.

For example, an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or a Ph.D. degree. These four programs are the main types of a degree.

There is a difference between such kinds of a degree. For instance, an associate’s degree is a degree program mainly of two years whereas; a bachelor’s degree is a four-year degree program. On the other hand, a master’s degree can be started after completing a bachelor’s degree. It is also named as a post-graduate degree program.

Apart from all of the above degree programs, a Ph.D. degree can be done with an intensive research that is why, it carries more than four years. It can be completed in four years as well. A Ph.D. is a doctorate degree in any discipline.

Diploma

A diploma programme is based on a particular course and is just like a certificate that is issued by the educational institutions.

Unlike a degree, a diploma does not take a long time to be completed. It takes almost two-years or sometimes less than it. An institute that provides a diploma programme does not need to be a recognized or an approved institute like a university or a college. This particular award is usually based on vocational courses.

For instance, a person takes this course in order to get him/her trained or qualified in a particular area. So, it means that this particular program provides you an education within your given field.

Do not think about a diploma that it is, actually, a certificate. A certificate is different as it does not lead to a diploma. You can get a certificate after completing a single course as it does not require a long time to be completed. So, we can say that certificates are very specialized. A certificate is more specific than a diploma, which takes a very less time to be finished.

Check Out: How Do We Write Academic Degree In AP Style?

What Did You Learn?

Degrees and diplomas are not similar. Though, they are awards given by educational sectors but they are not interchangeable. The importance of a diploma is comparatively less than a degree.

Degree: It is a proper course of study, usually a 3 to 4 years long, which is given by a recognized university or college. Diploma: It is a course mainly of one or two years long. It is basically a short term course.

Confusing Words: Diary (noun) and Dairy (noun + adjective)
Meaning:
Diary (a book in which one keeps a daily record of events and experiences).
Dairy (a building or room for the processing, storage, and distribution of milk and milk products).
Diary vs Dairy Clarification: both words are grammatically correct but carry completely different meanings.

Diary vs Dairy – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

As you can see that both of these words have same letters but they are arranged in a different pattern. Diary and dairy are two different words having different meanings and functions.

Sometimes, it happens that a person mistakenly write dairy instead of diary and the difference is hardly visible.

Diary

It is used as a noun within a sentence.

Diary is used to refer to a book or a notebook in which a person frequently writes down his/her daily record of his/her activities, observations, or events, etc. Diary can be synonymous with a journal, personal organizer, record, etc.

1. I used to write my whole day’s activities in my diary to make them memorable.

2. My friends found my secret diary, which I used to hide from everyone.

3. Your mind is a diary. Storing all those notes you need, but all those secrets you can tell. (Zaza)

Dairy

It is used as a noun or an adjective within a sentence.

As a noun, it is used to refer to a place, such as a department, room, or a building, which is used for the processing of milk products; for example, cheese, milk, butter, etc.

1. My father used to go to the nearby dairy to buy fresh milk.

2. Do you want to get a job in one of the country’s famous dairies?

As an adjective, it is used to describe those products that contain milk or are made from milk, like cream, cheese, etc.

1. If you want to lose fat, stop having dairy products too much.

2. Growing up on a dairy farm, you certainly learn discipline and a commitment to purpose. (Mike Johanns)

Check Out: Degree vs Diploma |

What Did You Learn?

It is concluded diary and dairy are two different words having different meanings and functions.

Diary: As a noun, diary is used to refer to a book to write down records.
Dairy: Dairy is such a place in which processing of milk products take place.
Dairy: On the other hand, dairy is used as an adjective too. As an adjective, dairy describes such products that are made from milk.

Confusing Words: Despite (noun) and In-Spite (noun)
Meaning:
Despite (without being affected by)
In-Spite (in disregard or defiance of)
Despite vs In-spite Clarification: Despite dates back to 1200 A.D while In-spite is a modern preposition. Both words carry the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.

Despite Vs In-Spite – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

The prepositions Despite and in-spite vary in the syntax as well as in the meaning. It depends upon the context in which both the prepositions are to be used. The question arises in ones mind that is both the words interchangeable?

The answer is yes! If one is intending to write a brief explanation, use of despite will be more feasible. If the writer has to give elaborated details, use of  In-spite will be more accurate.

The first difference appears at the phonetic level; In-spite has two vowel sounds while Despite has three vowel sounds. The difference lies in the connotation and not in the denotation.

Both the prepositions have common meaning i.e. Candid action. The difference lies in the context in which both the prepositions are used.

In-Spite

In-spite is more casually used. Its literal meaning is ‘regardless of’. It is usually used with noun or a gerund.

1. She failed the linguistics exam in-spite of all her dedication.
2. We won the baseball match inspite of miserable practice.
3. We do not go for using prepositions like that with inspite of.

Inspite is mostly used with of making it a three-syllabic word.
Inspite usually denotes the contradiction e.g she went to the exam inspite of the probation.

Despite

Despite means an unaffected behavior or action. It makes the expression formal and more brief.

1. She failed the linguistic exam despite all her dedication.
2. Despite miserable practice, we won the match.

Remember, we do not use ‘of’ with despite. Despite is a two-syllabic word making it easier for the readers to pronounce. Despite is mostly used to denote neutral contradiction. E.g. Despite the probation, she went for the exam.

Check Out: The Difference Between Accept and Except.

What Did You Learn?

Both Inspite and Despite are similar in the meaning. The only ways they differ are in the:

• Pronunciation
• The context
• Degree of contradiction
• Casualty and formality
• Connotation and denotation

Moreover, despite came before in-spite of. In-spite came afterwards and has its origin in the urban dictionary. Despite dates back to 1200 A.D while In-spite is a modern preposition.

Confusing Words: Device (noun) and Devise (verb)
Meaning:
Device (a thing made or adapted for a particular purpose, especially a piece of mechanical or electronic equipment.)
Devise (plan or invent (a complex procedure, system, or mechanism) by careful thought.)
Device vs Devise Clarification: The two words carry completely different meanings. They can not be used interchangeably although they are pronounced in a similar manner.

Device vs Devise – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

I come across with many people who made embarrassing mistake with these two words.

As you can see that there is only one-letter difference between device and devise. This is the reason for the confusion between them. Otherwise, both of these words are totally different from each other in terms of meanings as well as in function. Let me define them one by one.

Device

Device is used as a noun within a sentence. It is used to refer to a thing or a plan that is made for a specific purpose. Device is mainly used to refer to an electronic instrument i.e. phones, laptops, etc.

1. Before entering the examination hall, please switch off your all electronic devices.

2. We do need a device to connect Wi-Fi at home.

3. The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient. (Warren Buffett)

Devise

Devise is used as a verb within a sentence. It means to form or to invent an idea or a plan after a considerable thought.

1. We should devise an idea to get rid of this horrible place.

2. Architecture was the last of the major professions to devise a formal ‘cursus honorum’ before its practice could be undertaken. (Martin Filler)

Check Out: The Difference Between Disc and Disk.

Quiz

Get out of this confusion between device and devise by fill in the following blanks with the appropriate word.

1. Where are all the __________? (devices/devises)

2. No internet? There might be some problem in the _________. (device/devise)

3. They are about to ___________ their final project. (device/devise)

4. Any __________ that you want to declare? (devices/devises)

Answers at the end!

What Did You Learn?

It is concluded that device and devise are just one-letter apart. They are not interchangeable. So, you have to be careful with word choice. Device is a noun which is used to refer to something that is made for a specific purpose. Devise, on the other hand, is a verb which means to carefully invent an idea or a plan.

Answers: 1) devices. 2) device. 3) devise. 4) devises.