Confusing Verbs Examples [List]
Some verbs sound similar and some have similar meanings. We get confused about them. It becomes a challenge for us to use a suitable verb in a certain context. These are called confusing verbs.
Examples of Confusing Verbs
| Verb | Meaning / Use | The verb in context |
| lend | To give a loan | Can you lend me $10? |
| borrow | To take a loan | Can I borrow $50 from you? |
| tell | To narrate,
to instruct |
He tells stories.
Never tell a lie. |
| say | To ask something,
to report someone’s words |
Did you say thank you to uncle? She says she is a good girl. |
| do | To carry out tasks and activities | You must do your homework then go outside. |
| make | To build or create something,
To cause to happen |
Make a list of guests.
Don’t make her frustrated. |
| can | To request, To show ability |
Can you help me?
I can do this task |
| may | To express a possibility,
To request |
I may come to the party.
May I come in? |
| adopt | To take | She adopted a baby girl. |
| adapt | To change, To get used to |
He adapted his rules.
Micheal S adapted to a new lifestyle. |
| rise | To go up,
To get up |
Electric prices are rising.
She rises at 6:00 daily. |
| raise | To make higher | The whole nation raised its voice against inflation. |
| immigrate | To move to another country | Dell immigrated to America. |
| emigrate | To leave a country | They emigrated from Canada. |
| bring | To carry something | He forgot to bring a gift for me. |
| take | To carry away | She takes her child to her office. |
| waste | To spoil | Don’t waste your time. |
| waist | back | His waist is 42inches. |
| spend | To pass time,
To payout |
She spends much of her time in the library.
They spent a large amount to buy this home. |
| refuse | To decline, to accept | I refused to accept his offer. |
| deny | Disown something | Dell denied that he did not steal his pen. |
| admit | To declare or accept | Zhang Yiming admitted his defeat. |
| confess | To admit sin or wrong deed | He confessed to Dell’s murder. |
| stay | To live somewhere for some days | How many days will you stay here? |
| remain | To go on, persist | He remains silent. |
| sit | To be seated | Sit here quietly. |
| seat | Space for sitting | Why are you sitting in my seat? |
| complement | To complete a task | You should be determined to complement your goal. |
| compliment | admiration | I received a compliment from the boss. |
| dessert | A sweet dish | She likes the dessert most. |
| desert | An area with so much sand | I don’t have experience visiting a desert. |
| see | To see something without intent | Dell opened the window and saw his sister. |
| look | To see something with the intention | He looked at me with anger. |
| watch | To look intensely | They were watching T.V. |
| speak | General conversation | She speaks loudly. |
| talk | Conversational exchange | They were talking about the teacher. |
| known | familiar | He is a well-known person. |
| Know | to understand truth or fact | I know about the skills. |
| lie | To not speak the truth,
To rest |
She is lying and accusing his brother.
My dog lies on the carpet. |
| lay | To place or put | Micheal |
| lose | Be deprived, drop | He lost his job. |
| loose | Free, movable | She wears loose clothes. |
