Affect and Effect

Affect is a verb. It means ‘to act upon’ or ‘to pretend’. Effect is a noun. It means ‘to bring about’.

The cold climate affected his health.

The cold climate had an adverse effect on his health.

Amiable and amicable

Amiable means ‘lovable’. Amicable means ‘friendly’.

His amiable qualities endeared him to everybody.

We have arrived at an amicable settlement to the dispute.

Advise and advice

Advise is a verb. Advice is a noun.

He advised me to act promptly.

His advice proved helpful.

Council and Counsel

Council is an assembly of leaders, advisers etc. Counsel means advice.

John is a member of the council.

In his essays, Bacon imparts moral and social counsel to his readers.

Childlike and Childish

Childlike means ‘like a child’. It has a positive meaning. Childish means immature. It has a negative meaning.

She has a childlike simplicity about her.

His conduct has always been childish.

Compliment and complement

A compliment is an expression of regard. Complement means that which completes.

He complimented her on her looks.

This ship has its full complement of sailors.

Disease and Decease

Disease means illness. Decease means death.

Smallpox is a terrible disease.

After his mother’s decease, he left the city and went abroad.

Eligible and illegible

Eligible means qualified. Illegible means that cannot be read.

She is quite eligible for this post.

He is the most eligible bachelor in the city.

His hand-writing is rather illegible.

Official and officious

Anything pertaining to an office is official. A person who offers service that is not wanted is an officious fellow.

The CEO made an official visit to the plant.

During his stay at the inn he found the hostess too officious.

Popular and Populous

Popular means ‘that which is liked by people’. Populous means ‘thickly inhabited’.

He is a very popular actor.

Tokyo is a very populous city.

Principal and principle

Principal means ‘chief’. Principle means ethics or values.

Alice is the principal of the college.

Gambling is against my principle.

Everybody must follow certain moral principles.

Stationary and Stationery

Stationary means motionless. Stationery means writing materials.

In the olden days people believed that earth was stationary.

You can buy stationery in this store.