Confusing Words in English

Confusing Words: Artefact (noun) and Artifact (noun)
Meaning: something made or given shape by man, such as a tool or a work of art, esp an object of archaeological interest
Artefact vs Artifact Clarification: Artefact and artifact are two different spellings of the same noun. You can choose any word but you should be careful about the text you are writing for.

Artefact vs Artifact – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

Both of these words are just one-letter apart. Actually, artifact and artefact are two different spellings of the same word that depicts same meaning for both of the words.

You can use any word for your writing as both of the words are correct. But why these words are having different spellings if they depict same meaning?

Continue reading to find out the answer!

The problem is the boundary between American and British versions. Artifact is said to be the preferred spelling for American English.

Artefact, on the other hand, is the British spelling. So, remember to use these spellings in correct places. If you are writing any American text, your choice should be artifact and for British texts, the choice should be artefact.

Meaning and Examples of Artefact/Artifact

Artefact and artifact are two yet same words. They are similar to each other in terms of meaning as well as in function. Artefact or artifact can be used as a noun within sentences. Artefact or artifact refers to an object made by human artistry. This man-made art is the result of someone’s interest in history and archaeology.

1. My collection of the silver artefacts or artifacts should be displayed at the museum.

2. Did you see the Egyptian artefacts or artifacts?

According to Dictionary.com, artefact or artifact can also be used to refer any feature that is not naturally present but is a product of an extrinsic agent or method. For instance, statistical artifacts or artefacts that make the inflation rate seem greater than it is.

Got it?

I hope that from the above discussion, it is clear that you can use both artifact and artefact. Both of these words are acceptable to use as a noun. You just have to remember that artifact is the American English spelling whereas, artefact is the British English spelling.

Artefact = British English

Artifact = American English

Here are some sentences taken from American and British writings.

• When examining cultural artifacts, specialists, such as archaeologists and anthropologists, pay close attention to several things. (education-portal.com)

• A religious artefact is something made for use in religion, especially in use today, not a museum piece. (cleo.net.uk)

What Did You Learn Here?

Artefact and artifact are two different spellings of the same noun. You can choose any word but you should be careful about the text you are writing for. If it is a British text, then your choice should be ‘artefact’.

On the other hand, artifact is the standard spelling in American English. Artefact or artifact can be used to refer an object made by human artistry which is the result of someone’s interest in history and archaeology.

Confusing Words: Awhile (adverb) and A while (phrase)
Meaning:
Awhile (for a short time.)
A While (a period of time.)
Clarification: There are minor differences between these two terms.

Awhile vs A While – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

Sometimes it happens that a word and a phrase sound exactly same. This kind of case is really very confusing for everyone. Like, awhile vs. a while is the case that create confusion among writers. Today, I am going to take the same case of awhile vs. a while for discussion.

You might be thinking that one of the above terms has a spelling error. Let me confirm it that awhile and a while are both correct terms to use in sentences.

There is just a difference of space that make them apart. Besides this, pronunciation is exactle the same. This is the reason that awhile and a while are often get confused by the writers and speakers. Awhile is a complete word whereas a while (with a space) is a two-word phrase.

Are awhile and a while interchangeably used?

Continue reading to find out the fact behind it!

Awhile

This particular word is used as an adverb within sentences. Awhile means ‘for a time period or for a moment’. The time is generally a little time. Let us see in examples how it works to modify other adverbs, verbs and adjectives.

1. May you go and wait awhile until I get ready?

2. Go to the nearest park and play awhile.

3. We need to rest awhile and then get back to work.

Awhile also means ‘for a while’. In the above examples, we can change the word from awhile to for a while. It will depict the same meaning and there will be no grammatical error. For instance,

• May you go and wait for a while until I get ready?

• Go to the nearest park and play for a while.

• We need to rest for a while and then get back to work.

A While

A while is not a word. It is, in fact, a two-word phrase in which ‘a’ is an article and ‘while’ is used as a noun within sentences. While means a time period or some time. This whole phrase is used as a noun.

1. It’s been a while since we’ve met.

2. I talked for a while and then sat silently for the whole day.

3. I love sleep. You forget about pain, problems, stress, everything for a while. (unknown)

Check Out: The Difference Between Anytime and Any Time.

Got the Difference?

I hope that from the above discussion, the difference between awhile and a while is now clear. You can use a while adverbially but you cannot use awhile as a noun. Only the noun phrase can be followed by a preposition like ‘for a while’. Apart from it, you cannot write ‘for awhile’.

For Awhile = Incorrect

For A While = Correct

What Did You Learn?

Awhile and a while can be tricky sometimes. There are minor differences between these two terms. Awhile is a complete word meaning for a moment or for a while. A while, on the other hand, is a two-word noun phrase that means a time period.

Confusing Words: Armor and Armour (noun)
Meaning: the metal coverings formerly worn to protect the body in battle.
Armor vs Armour Clarification: Armor and armour are two different spellings of the same word which is used as a noun or a verb within sentences.

Armor vs Armour – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

Are there any similarities and differences between armor and armour? Why these words are a cause of confusion among writers?

One of the confusions between armor and armour is that these words sound exactly same. Armor and armour are just one-letter apart. Actually, one of these words is related to American English while the other one is preferred in British English. Both of these words are same in terms of meanings and functions. You can use any word from these two versions as nothing is wrong with both of these words.

Continue reading the post to find out which word is suitable for American texts and which one is more preferable in British texts.

Is it Armor or Armour?

As I mentioned above that both armor and armour are same words in terms of meaning as well as in function. These words can be used as a noun or a verb within sentences.

Meaning of Armor/Armour as a noun

As a noun, armor or armour means a metal protective shield for the warriors. It is mainly used to protect the body in battle. In general, it means a protective shield or covering.

1. The warrior was in search of his armor/armour.

2. The truth can be your armor/armour in difficult situations.

3. A weapon designed for use against enemy armor/armour.

Meaning of Armor/Armour as a verb

As a verb, it means to cover or to protect.

1. Armor/Armour yourself in order to get out of this situation.

2. The truth always armored/armoured him in difficult situations.

Check Out: The Difference Between Among and Between.

Important Point to Remember

It is clear from the above discussion that both armor and armour have same meanings and function within sentences. There is one very important point to remember.

Though both of these words have no differences in meanings but there is a difference in spellings. Remember that the word ‘armor’ is the preferred spelling in American English while ‘armour’ is more standard spelling in British English.

It means that if you are writing an American text, you have to choose the spelling (armor) that is considered to be correct in AmE. On the other side, if you are at British publication then your choice should be ‘armour’.

Here are some examples which are taken from American and British texts.

• The vehicles are widely used by SWAT teams in the US, and feature advanced bullet proof and blast proof armour and ballistic glass windows. (grammarist.com)

• I am your knight in shining armor. I am here to save you from Linkin Park. (Rufus Wainwright)

What Did You Learn?

Armor and armour are two different spellings of the same word which is used as a noun or a verb within sentences. As a noun, it means a protective shield and as a verb, it means to cover or to protect. Just remember that armor is the preferred spelling in American English while armour is more standard spelling in British English.

Confusing Words: Anyway (adverb) and Anyways (adverb)
Meaning: “used to confirm or support a point or idea just mentioned.”
Anyway vs Anyways Clarification: Both the words carry the same meaning but ‘anyways’ is considered to be an informal or colloquial word.

Anyway vs Anyways – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

Some people seem to be confused between anyway and anyways.

Both of these words are just one-letter apart. Actually, one of these words is considered to be an informal word but a few people are used to say that informal word that has to be avoided.

Let me tell you which word is correct to use and which one is considered to be a colloquial variant.

Anyway or Anyways?

From the above two words, anyways is the one that is said to be an informal form of anyway. If you are writing any formal text then it is very necessary to choose anyway instead of anyways.

The correct word ‘anyway’ is used as an adverb. Anyway can be used in different situations like, it can be used to change the subject; it can be used to give importance to something; or it can be used to end a conversation. In short, the meaning of anyway is ‘in any case’.

1. Anyway, I think we should move on to the next place.

2. Though she was on diet, but she ate a chocolate bar ayway.

3. Anyway, I was about to join the dance classes for this party.

Anyways As An Informal Term:

As I said above that anyways is an informal variant of anyway. It is good for you to avoid using anyways because it is considered to be an incorrect word.

But if you use anyways, then it is also taken as an adverb. If you want to use anyways, try to use it in informal texts as an adverb.

• Anyways, this is not your job.

• You should go from here anyways.

Is Any way a Colloquial Term Too?

If we are talking about anyway and anyways, then the two words any way should not be avoided. The two words ‘any way’ is not related to the term anyway.

Actually, the word is ‘way’ which is a noun and the word ‘any’ is an adjective. These two words are totally separated words from each other. Just because of its pronunciation, it is often confused with the word anyway.

Any way (with a space) mean any particular way or direction.

So, it is clear from the above discussion that any way have nothing to do with the word anyway.

Check Out: Difference Between Any More and Anymore.

What Did You Learn?

Anyway and anyways depict the same meaning and usage within sentences. However, the word ‘anyways’ is considered to be an informal or colloquial word. Anyway is the correct choice to use as an adverb that means ‘in any case’.

Confusing Words: Attain (verb) and Obtain (verb)
Meaning:
Attain (succeed in achieving (something that one has worked for).
Obtain (get, acquire, or secure (something).)
Attain vs Obtain Clarification: Attain and obtain are used as verbs within sentences.

Attain vs Obtain – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

These words are two-letters apart. They are quite similar in terms of their meanings. Even, some people think that attain and obtain are interchangeable. This is wrong because you cannot think that these words are same in meanings. You should be careful in word choice in order to avoid errors in texts.

I will define each term with examples that will clear up all the confusions regarding attain and obtain.

Attain

Attain is used as a verb within sentences. Attain means to earn, win, acquire, achieve or accomplish something. You attain something through hard word and effort.

1. You should work hard to attain higher grades in final exams.

2. After several days of training, I attained the top rank that I desired the most.

3. Anything you really want, you can attain, if you really go after it. (Wayne Dyer)

Obtain

Obtain is also used as a verb within a sentence. Obtain is related to the things. Generally, it means that you only obtain physical things. However, obtain means to get something. Unlike attain, you do not have to make any effort to obtain something.

1. My friends were very excited to obtain the live concert’s entry tickets.

2. I obtained my most favourite novel from a nearby book shop.

3. Good people obtain pure joy not because they do great things but, because they do small acts of kindness with great love and with caring heart. (Unknown)

Got the Difference?

From the above discussion, it is clear that both attain and obtain are very similar in term of meanings. In fact, there is a minor difference to keep them apart. To attain is to achieve something with determination, hard work or effort.

To obtain, however, is to get something and you do not have to make so much efforts to obtain anything. For instance, you can obtain your favourite coloured dress from a super market. If you cannot afford to fulfill your desire and you are working so hard to make your lifstyle better. Then, after much hard work, you finally attain the things you desired for.

Attain = to win or to achieve through effort

Obtain = to get without much effort

What Did You Learn?

Attain and obtain are used as verbs within sentences. You cannot use these words interchangeably as they are slightly different in meanings. Attain means to earn or to achieve something through effort whereas, obtain means to get something without any hard work.