Plenty of French words are in English, but many are faux amis which confuse language learners. English also has its own confusing words which trouble learners. Do you know how to use these confusing words correctly?

1. businessenglishace.com
businessenglishace.com
by: Professor H. E. Colby
French and English Confusing Words

2. AGENDA
•Why French / English Confusing Pairs
•3 Faux Amis – French/English Confusing Pairs
•Why English Confusing Word Pairs
•3 English Confusing Word Pairs
•Learn more English Confusing Pairs
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3. French and English Curious Past
•French mixes with and then replaces English as language of
royal court after 1066, Norman invasion of England.
•French was language of English Parliament until 1363!
•Historical mix of French with English produced rich body of
French words in modern English – some faux amis or false
friends.
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4. 3 Types Confusing French / English Pairs
•Words with common roots, but whose definition has
evolved during time. (actuel-actual)
•Words without a common root, but still look alike (pain-pain)
•Words with a common root, some meanings in common, but
still whose meanings have changed (partial faux amis).
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5. Faux Amis between French and English/1
Get Top 65 Commonly Confused English Word Pairs
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French Faux Ami
ACTUEL
English Translation
current, present
ACTUEL - ACTUAL
English Look Alike
ACTUAL
French Translation
réel, exact

6. Faux Amis between French and English/2
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French Faux Ami
MONNAIE
English Translation
change (coins)
MONNAIE - MONEY
English Look Alike
MONEY
French Translation
argent

7. Faux Amis between French and English/3
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French Faux Ami
RAISIN
English Translation
grape
RAISIN - RAISIN
English Look Alike
RAISIN
French Translation
raisin sec

8. 4 Types Confusing English Pairs/1
•Homographs: same spelling as another word, but different
sound and meaning. (bass (loud, deep sound)– bass (fish)
•Homonym: sounds like another word, same or different
spelling.
(pair (fruit) – pair (couple) / fair (county fair) – fair (just)
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9. 4 Types Confusing English Pairs/2
•Heteronym: different sound, but same spelling as another
word.
(tear (in eye) – tear (to rip, like paper)
•Homophone: sounds like another word, but different spelling.
(pair (fruit) – pair (couple)
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10. English Confusing Pairs/1
Get Top 65 Commonly Confused English Word Pairs
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ALLOWED
Gave permission (to do something)
ALLOWED- ALOUD
ALOUD
Spoken

11. English Confusing Pairs/2
Get Top 65 Commonly Confused English Word Pairs
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EMIGRATE
To exit one country to live in another
EMIGRATE- IMMIGRATE
IMMIGRATE
To enter a new country to live

12. English Confusing Pairs/3
Get Top 65 Commonly Confused English Word Pairs
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LEAN
Not fatty; To incline
LEAN- LIEN
LIEN
A claim on property to secure payment of debt

13. businessenglishace.com
Clear up Confusing English Word Pairs Today!
•Learn the difference between key
confusing English word pairs.
•Use the word correctly the first
time!
•Includes exercises to test your
learning.
•Check out now!