Confusing Words in English

Confusing Words: Calfs and Calves (noun)
Meaning: a young bovine animal, especially a domestic cow or bull in its first year.
Clarification: Calves is the correct spelling that is the plural form of the noun ‘calf’.

Calfs vs Calves – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

Is the correct term calfs or calves?

When you need to make plural of any word, you just remember to add an –s or –es at the end of that word to make it pluralized. However, there are some words that follow irregular pattern to make them pluralized. The words such as calf, knife, wolf, leaf, etc., create irregular plurals. It means that you cannot just add an –s or –es at the end of these terms, but you need to replace the –f by adding –ves at the end of each term.

Now, coming towards our discussion of calfs vs. calves. One of these words is incorrect spelling. Let us see which one is correct and which one is incorrect spelling.

First of all, I will define calf, as, one of these words is the plural form of calf.

Calf

Calf is used as a noun within a sentence. It is used to refer the young of some large mammals such as cows or elephants. It can also used to refer to the back part of the human lower leg.

Calves or Calfs?

Calves is the correct plural form of the term ‘calf’. As I mentioned above, calves is an irregular plural. You cannot simply add an –s at the end of calf to make it pluralized, instead, you should remember to replace the –f with –ves.

Calves = Correct

Calfs = Incorrect

1. You must consult a nutritionist before feeding the calves.

2. Once calves are extremely dehydrated, have a severe acidosis or advanced signs of pneumonia, prognosis is often guarded and treatment becomes much more difficult. (Bovine Veterinarian)

3. Do you feel pain in calf muscle?

4. Some examples of stretches you can use for your cool-down routine include quad stretches, calf stretches, hamstring stretches, arm stretches and poses found in yoga, such as child’s pose and downward facing dog. (SCNow)

Check Out: The Difference Between Alot and A Lot.

What Did You Learn?

Calves is the correct spelling that is the plural form of the noun ‘calf’. Calf means the young of some large mammals such as cows or elephants; or it can also be used to refer to the back part of the human lower leg. Do not use calfs as it is an incorrect spelling.

Confusing Words: Check (noun or verb) and Cheque (noun)
Meaning:
Check (examine something in order to determine its accuracy, quality, or condition, or to detect the presence of something.)
Cheque (a bill of exchange in which one party orders the bank to transfer the money to the bank account of another party)
Check vs Cheque Clarification: Both words are grammatically correct. Although they are pronounced the same way, the two words carry completely different meanings.

Check vs Cheque – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

The two versions of English language, American and British English, often create confusions among writers and speakers. Especially, the fresh English learners are the most confused ones. For instance, American and British English use different spellings to describe the same word.

There is no difference in the pronunciation of check and cheque. Also, you cannot find out any differences in meaning and function.

Check

It is used as a noun or a verb within sentences. As a noun, check is used to refer a written document that directs the banks to pay a certain amount of money; an inquiry, examination or a verification of a situation; or a situation in chess in which the opponent may capture another player’s king.

1. I will pay you by check because I don’t have cash right now.

2. Let me give these documents a final check.

3. My opponent said ‘check’, which made me confused; I had to take out my King from danger.

As a verb, it means to examine or to inspect something; or to slow down a progress.

1. I have to check the possibilities that are needed to launch the project.

2. The diseases have been checked by the senior doctors.

Cheque

It is not a spelling-error. This particular word is only used in British English.

In British English, cheque is used as a noun within sentences but only as a financial term, which means a written document that directs the banks to pay a certain amount of money.

Below are the examples that are taken from the British publications.

1. Charity cheque comes from an unlikely place – The crew from Shoreham RNLI Lifeboat Station was donated £550 from afar – from a charity fundraising event in Scotland. (Shoreham Herald)

2. However, a recent study suggests that a fat pay cheque may be influenced by more than just physical attractiveness or the lack of it, dispelling the ‘beauty premium’ theory which says beautiful people earn more while those who are not so gorgeous are paid less. (NDTV)

From the above discussion, it is clear that check and cheque are two different spellings of the same word. However, you have to be very careful of the intended audiences. You should always choose check when you are writing for American readers.

On the other hand, choose cheque for British readers. In this case, cheque is only used in financial context (i.e. as a bank draft) otherwise; you should choose check (in British texts) for the rest of the circumstances (see the above definition of ‘check’).

Check Out: Difference Between Course and Coarse.

What Did You Learn?

It is concluded that check is the dominant spelling than cheque. One of the meanings of check is a written document that directs the banks to pay a certain amount of money.

If you want to refer this particular meaning in British English, then you must use the spelling ‘cheque’ instead of ‘check’. Beside this, use check for the rest of the contexts.

Confusing Words: Catalog (noun) and Catalogue (noun)
Meaning: a complete list of items, typically one in alphabetical or other systematic order.
Catalog vs Catalogue Clarification: Catalog and catalogue are two different spellings of the same word.

Catalog vs Catalogue – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

There is only two-letters difference between catalog and catalogue. Otherwise, there is no differences in meaning, pronunciation and function. The problem is with the people of different regions. One region prefers to use catalog while the other prefers catalogue.

First of all, I want to define these words with example sentences. The meaning of both of these words is similar.

Definition

This particular word (catalog or catalogue) is used as a noun or a verb within sentences. As a noun, it is used to refer a systematically arranged list of items or goods with proper details or explanations of those items.

As a verb, it means to list or to categorize items or goods (mainly in catalogue/catalog).

For example,

1. May you please catalog/catalogue the results of these reports. (as a verb)

2. I want to buy a perfume. Kindly, show me your updated catalog/catalogue. (as a noun)

3. I have cataloged/catalogued all the items. (as a verb)

4. The catalog/catalogue will provide you details of some famous fashion industries from around the world. (as a noun)

Check Out: The Difference Between Ketchup and Catsup.

Catalog or Catalogue?

As I have said above that the definition of both of these terms would be same. Both spellings are acceptable. The only problem is with the region or the intended audience. Catalog is the preferred spelling in American English whereas, catalogue is preferred in British English.

Catalog = American English

Catalogue = British English

However, catalogue is much more commonly used around the world. This is the only American English who is preferring catalog. This is because, American English has been developed a new version of the English language, in which the writers dropped –ue from many words (such as dialog, catalog, etc.).

See the examples below that has been taken from American and British publications.

1. Prince’s early music catalog was made available across all streaming services on Sunday, almost a year after his death, and record label Warner Bros. said it planned to release two albums of new music from the pop funk musician in June. (Fortune)

2. Prince’s Warner Brothers music catalogue will be available to all streaming services in time for Grammy Awards. (The Telegraph)

Hence, you have to be careful for whom you are writing, either for American readers or for British readers.

What Did You Learn?

Catalog and catalogue are two different spellings of the same word. Catalog is the preferred spelling in American English; catalogue, on the other hand, is preferred in British English, which means a systematically arranged list of items or goods (noun) or to list/categorize items or goods in catalog/catalogue (verb).

Confusing Words: Verb
Meaning: to be unable to do otherwise than
Clarification: Cannot is more preferable term than can not.

Cannot vs Can Not – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

First of all, I will define the term ‘can’.

Definition of Can:

Can is used as an auxiliary verb within sentences. It is used when you are speaking about ability ( physical or mental ability) to do something.

Check Out: The Difference Between Can and May.

Is the correct term cannot or can not?

Now, coming towards our discussion. Cannot and can not are both acceptable spellings. However, if we check out the preferences, we will come to know that cannot is much more usual term that is widely accepted as the contraction of two words ‘can’ and ‘not’.

Cannot is more acceptable term than can not

Cannot = Contraction of Can and Not

Cannot

Cannot is used as an auxiliary verb within sentences, which is a contraction of the words can and not. It is used to express the inability or incapacity to do something. In short, cannot is the negative of can.

1. You cannot do the next work until you finish your homework.

2. Doctor said that you cannot eat heavy food for three days.

3. If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. (John F. Kennedy)

4. Defence group Cobham takes huge writedown and warns it cannot forecast 2017 performance. (Telegraph. Co. uk)

Note: You can also shorten the term cannot as can’t. For instance, I can’t sing right now.

Use of Can Not

Since, cannot is much more common and acceptable contraction of can and not. However, you can use can not together as two separate words within a sentence. In this case, can and not should express two separate constructions. For example,

• You can not only cry, but also share your problems with me.

• “Any form of art is a form of power; it has impact, it can affect change – it can not only move us, it make us move.” (Ossie Davis)

In the above sentences, you can see that not is making another construction such as ‘not only’.

What Did You Learn?

Cannot is more preferable term than can not. Cannot is a contraction of two words can and not, which is used to express the inability or incapacity to do something. Its abbreviated term is can’t. However, you can use can not when can and not express two separate constructions within a sentence.

Confusing Words: Course (noun/verb) and Coarse (adjective)
Meaning:
Course (the route or direction followed by a ship, aircraft, road, or river.)
Coarse (rough or harsh in texture.)
Course vs Coarse Clarification: Course and coarse are homophones that cannot be interchangeable.

Course vs Coarse – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?

There is just one-letter difference between course and coarse. As I said above that course and coarse are homophones. It means that they sound same but they are different in terms of meaning, function and spelling. So, it is very important to keep them apart because they are not interchangeable, let us define these terms one by one.

Course

Course can be used as a noun or a verb within a sentence. It is used to refer a schedule of study in a particular subject; the path or route for vehicles or water; a dish or a menu item.

As a verb, it means to flow (of something, especially liquid) quickly.

1. At yesterday’s dinner, I was anxiously waiting for the main course. (noun)

2. The course of the water coming from the nearest dam can be harmful for the crops. (noun)

3. I have started a new course that is related to literature. (noun)

4. I felt sorry when I saw her tears coursing down her cheeks. (verb)

Coarse

Coarse is used as an adjective within a sentence. It is used to refer a texture which is not smooth and is rough, hairy, scratchy or harsh.

1. You must do a home remedy to make your coarse skin soft and smooth.

2. I feel good when I walk on the coarse sand of beach.

Coarse can be used figuratively. In this way, it is used to refer a very rude and ill-mannered person or his/her speech.

1. Our head is too coarse in his speech that forces me to leave the job.

2. Only very coarse persons wanted wars. (Pearl S. Buck)

Check Out: The Difference Between Advise and Advice.

What Did You Learn?

Course and coarse are homophones that cannot be interchangeable. They are totally different in terms of meaning and function. So, it is important to keep them apart. Course is used as a verb or a noun. It has a variety of meanings. The most common is the flow of something quickly. Coarse, on the other hand, is used as an adjective. It means rough or scratchy.