Have you ever found yourself stuck between “assure” and “ensure”? Or maybe you’ve paused, unsure whether to go with “principal” or “principle”? Do not fear, you will never be alone in this! These are some of the most frequently confused word pairs, even among native English speakers. In this post, we'll go over seven commonly confused word pairings to help you clear up any misunderstanding and gain confidence in using them correctly.

1. Assure vs. Ensure

These two words are often mixed up, but they play different roles when you’re communicating.

Assure is about giving someone confidence. If you’re trying to calm someone’s nerves or promise something, this is the word to use. "I assure you, everything is going to be just fine." It’s personal—you’re making someone feel better.
Ensure, on the other hand, is about making sure something happens. It’s about actions, not feelings. "Please ensure you’ve locked all the doors before you leave." Here, you’re taking steps to guarantee something happens.

Think of it like this: You assure someone you’ll get home safely, but you ensure it by driving carefully.

2. Flaunt vs. Flout

Despite sounding similar, these two words couldn’t be more different.

Flaunt means to show something off in a way that attracts attention. For example, "She loves to flaunt her new car," showcasing it proudly to everyone around her.”
Flout, on the other hand, refers to openly disregarding rules or laws. For instance, "He flouted the rules by parking in a no-parking zone," ignoring the signs meant to keep order."

So, one is about showing off, and the other is about breaking the rules.

3. Elicit vs. Illicit

This pair might seem confusing, but they’re easy to tell apart once you know the difference.

Elicit is used when you want to bring out a response or reaction from someone. "The comedian’s joke elicited laughter from the crowd." It’s like drawing something out of someone.
Illicit means illegal or not allowed. "The police found illicit substances during the search." This one is all about breaking the law.

So, while elicit is about encouraging something to come out, illicit refers to something you’re not supposed to have or do.

4. Canvas vs. Canvass

These words sound the same, but they belong to completely different worlds.

Canvas is the material artists use to paint. "The painter created a masterpiece on a blank canvas."
Canvass means to go around gathering opinions or support, often for political campaigns. "The volunteers are canvassing the neighborhood to gain votes."

So, whether you’re painting or asking for opinions, make sure you pick the right word!

5. Discreet vs. Discrete

This pair is a classic example of two words that are often confused but have completely different meanings.

Discreet means being careful or subtle in your actions, especially when it comes to keeping things private. "She was very discreet about their private conversation."
Discrete means separate or distinct. "The company’s operations are divided into three discrete divisions."

So, remember: Discreet actions are about being low-key, while discrete things are clearly separate from each other.

6. Imminent vs. Eminent

These two may look and sound alike, but they refer to different things.

Imminent means something is about to happen very soon. "The rain is imminent; we should head inside."
Eminent describes someone who is well-known and regarded in their industry. "The eminent professor got a coveted award for her studies."

So, one is about timing, and the other is about someone’s status.

7. Principal vs. Principle

Lastly, this word pair might be the most commonly confused of all.

Principal refers to the head of a school or something that’s the most important. "The school principal gave a speech at the assembly." or "The principal reason for the delay was the bad weather."
Principle refers to a fundamental belief or norm. "He has strong principles that guide his decisions."

A simple way to remember this is that the principal is your “pal” at school, while principles are the rules you live by.

Final Thoughts

We all mix up our words occasionally, especially when they sound similar. The trick is to slow down and think about the context in which you’re using them. Knowing these differences can help you sharpen your writing and speaking and keep those little mix-ups from confusing. Hopefully, these examples will make you more confident the next time you decide between flaunt and flout... or whether it's assured or ensured.