5 Commonly Confused Words to Look Out for While Proofreading

If you’re a proofreader, you’ll most likely find it easy to spot common spelling mistakes and typos. But some words might still catch you out from time to time. In this post, then, we’re looking at five commonly confused words that proofreaders should keep an eye out for.

1. Lead/Led

‘Lead’ (rhyming with ‘bed’) is a type of metal. This makes it very different from ‘led’ (the past-tense form of the verb ‘to lead’). But, as they’re pronounced the same, people often confuse them:

The water was contaminated with lead. ✔

Last year, she lead the team through the company’s transition. ✘

As a proofreader, you would need to correct the above example to the correct spelling for the past-tense verb:

Last year, she led the team through the company’s transition. ✔

Knowing the differences between these words can be particularly difficult for ESL writers, but some native English speakers may also struggle. As such, make sure to look out for any instances where your client has confused them.

2. Compliment/Complement

The words ‘complement’ and ‘complementary’ refer to things that complete a set or go well together:

Blue and orange are complementary colours. ✔

The perfect way to complement cheese: red wine.  ✔

‘Complement’ can be both a verb and a noun. This makes it easily confused with ‘compliment’, which refers to acts of flattery or praise.

I should compliment you on your detailed proofreading. ✔

Richard hates receiving complements. ✘

Confusingly, though, ‘complimentary’ can also refer to something given away for free.

The guests received complimentary party bags. ✔

When proofreading, remember that if your client is referring to things that go together, it’s ‘complement’. And if it’s about methods of flattery (i.e. free things or nice words), they’ll need ‘compliment’.

3. Farther/Further

Many commonly confused words, as with the pair above, have just one letter that differentiates them. ‘Farther’ and ‘further’ are another example of this. Proofreaders should remember that ‘farther’ refers to physical distance:

I can run farther than you. ✔

‘Further’, however, refers to metaphorical distance:

Research further into this matter and your article will be great. ✔

This ultimately means that the farther you are from your computer, the further you are from finishing your proofreading work.

4. Gaff/Gaffe

Unless you’re familiar with fishing terminology, you’ll be forgiven for not knowing what a gaff is: a long-handled spear or hook used to catch large fish.

It’s very different in meaning to ‘gaffe’, although the words have similar origins. ‘Gaffe’ comes from the 15th-century French word for boathook, which people started using colloquially in the 20th century to mean ‘blunder’.

Today we use ‘gaffe’ in English to refer to a clumsy or tactless remark:

He made a gaff when he called his girlfriend by his ex’s name. ✘

And, of course, you could also call the act of confusing these words a gaffe.

5. Assent/Ascent

‘Assent’ and ‘ascent’ are another pair of words with very similar spellings but completely different meanings. ‘Assent’ can be used as a verb or noun and refers to an expression or act of approval.

The crowd let out a collective murmur of assent. ✔

The children were crying, so their mother assented to their wishes. ✔

‘Ascent’, on the other hand, is a noun relating to the act of rising or going upward. Its corresponding verb is ‘to ascend’, which comes from the Latin ascendere (to climb up).

The walkers began their ascent in the famous Himalayan mountains. ✔

If you like mnemonic tools, remember that ‘climb’ is a synonym for ‘ascent’; they both contain the letter ‘c’.

Becoming A Proofreader

Have you got an eye for detail? We cover many more commonly confused words, common errors, and misused phrases in our Becoming A Proofreader course. Sign up to the free trial to find out more!