Commonly
Confused Words
Master the tricky word pairs that appear on the SSAT. Learn to tell apart words that sound alike, look alike, or mean nearly the same thing.
SSAT Middle Level: Verbal
What Are Confused Words?
Commonly confused words are pairs (or groups) of words that students mix up because they sound similar, are spelled similarly, or have overlapping meanings. The SSAT tests your ability to pick exactly the right word in context.
Homophones
Sound the same but differ in meaning and spelling: their / there / they're
Near-Homophones
Sound almost the same: accept / except, affect / effect
Look-Alikes
Spelled similarly but mean different things: desert / dessert
Why This Matters on the SSAT
The SSAT Verbal section uses synonyms and analogies that rely on precise word knowledge. Confusing one word for another can lead you to a wrong answer even when you "know" the vocabulary.
Three Types of Confusion
The Core Rule: Context Decides
1
Read the full sentence. Do not stop at the blank or the target word.
2
Identify what meaning is needed. Is it an action, a noun, a description?
3
Test each confused word in that slot. Only one will make sense logically and grammatically.
Accept vs. Except
Accept
verb
To receive willingly or agree to something.
"She decided to accept the award."
Except
preposition / verb
To exclude or leave out; other than.
"Everyone passed except Tom."
Affect vs. Effect
Affect
verb (usually)
To influence or cause a change in something.
"Rain will affect the game schedule."
Effect
noun (usually)
A result or outcome of a change.
"The effect of the rain was a delay."
Than vs. Then
Than
conjunction
Used for comparisons between two things.
"She is taller than her brother."
Then
adverb
Refers to time: next, at that point, afterward.
"We ate lunch, then went to the park."
The 5-Step Strategy
1
Spot the suspect word. If a word in the answer choices has a common twin, flag it immediately.
2
Recall both definitions. State each meaning to yourself: "This one means X, that one means Y."
3
Check the part of speech. Does the sentence need a verb, noun, adjective, or preposition?
4
Substitute and read aloud. Try each word in the sentence. Only one sounds right.
5
Use your memory trick. Fall back on mnemonics: RAVEN, "A for Agree," "Ex for Exclude," etc.
Example 1: Easy
"The principal's speech had a great ______ on the students."
affect
Verb: to influence
effect
Noun: a result
Example 2: Medium
"The teacher asked us to show that our answer was correct rather ______ simply guessing."
than
Conjunction: comparison
then
Adverb: time/sequence
Example 3: Tricky
"The author's ______ to Greek mythology made the poem richer, while the magician's tricks were merely an ______."
allusion
An indirect reference to something
illusion
A false appearance or deception
Complement vs. Compliment
Complement
noun / verb
Something that completes or goes well with another thing.
"The sauce is a perfect complement to the fish."
Compliment
noun / verb
An expression of praise or admiration.
"She gave him a kind compliment."
Emigrate vs. Immigrate
Emigrate
verb
To leave one's country to live elsewhere.
"They emigrated from Italy in 1920."
Immigrate
verb
To arrive in a new country to live there.
"They immigrated to the United States."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
✕ Relying on Sound Alone
Words like affect/effect sound nearly identical. Always check meaning, not pronunciation.
✕ Ignoring Part of Speech
If the sentence needs a noun but you pick a verb form, the answer is wrong: "the affect" is almost always incorrect.
✕ Mixing Up Prepositions
Some pairs demand specific prepositions: "different from" (not "different than"), "emigrate from" (not "emigrate to").
Master Reference Table
| Word A | Meaning | Word B | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| accept | to receive | except | to exclude |
| affect | to influence (v.) | effect | a result (n.) |
| than | comparison | then | time / sequence |
| allusion | a reference | illusion | a false image |
| complement | to complete | compliment | to praise |
| emigrate | leave a country | immigrate | enter a country |
| principal | head of school | principle | a rule / belief |
Question 1 of 5
"The cold weather did not ______ her decision to go running."
The sentence needs a verb meaning "to influence." Affect is the verb; effect is usually the noun. Remember RAVEN: Affect = Verb, Effect = Noun.
Question 2 of 5
"All students must attend the assembly ______ those who are ill."
The sentence is excluding ill students from the group. Except means "other than" or "excluding." Accept means "to receive willingly," which does not fit.
Question 3 of 5
"The poet's ______ to Shakespeare's Hamlet revealed her deep knowledge of classic literature."
An allusion is an indirect reference to another work. An illusion is a false appearance. The poet is referencing Shakespeare, so allusion is correct. Remember: Allusion = A reference.
Question 4 of 5
"The red wine was a perfect ______ to the steak dinner."
A complement is something that completes or goes well with another thing. A compliment is an expression of praise. Wine completes the meal, so complement (with an e for "complete") is correct.
Question 5 of 5
"Her family decided to ______ from Poland and ______ to Canada in 1955."
You emigrate from a country (exit) and immigrate to a new country (enter). Emigrate = Exit, Immigrate = In. The correct pair is emigrate from Poland and immigrate to Canada.