Why Confusable Words Are a Trap
The GRE frequently places two similar-looking words as answer choices in the same Sentence Equivalence or Text Completion question, betting that test-takers will confuse them. Learning these pairs as fixed contrasts — not in isolation — is the fastest way to avoid the trap.
GRE প্রায়ই একই প্রশ্নে দুটি সদৃশ শব্দ উত্তর হিসেবে রাখে, যাতে পরীক্ষার্থীরা বিভ্রান্ত হন। এই জোড়াগুলো একসাথে শেখা সবচেয়ে কার্যকর।
The core method: for each pair below, focus on the one distinguishing feature (part of speech, positive/negative connotation, or degree) rather than trying to memorize two separate, unrelated definitions.
মূল পদ্ধতি: প্রতিটি জোড়ার মূল পার্থক্যের বৈশিষ্ট্যে মনোযোগ দিন।
15 Confusable Pairs
affect vs. effect
affect (verb) = to influence. effect (noun) = a result. The new policy will affect (v.) small businesses; its effect (n.) may include layoffs.
complement vs. compliment
complement = something that completes or goes well with something else. compliment = an expression of praise. The wine complements the meal; the chef received many compliments.
discreet vs. discrete
discreet = careful and tactful about what one says or does. discrete = separate and distinct. She was discreet about the merger, which involved several discrete divisions.
prescribe vs. proscribe
prescribe = to recommend or authorize. proscribe = to forbid, prohibit. The doctor prescribed rest; the law proscribes reckless driving.
flaunt vs. flout
flaunt = to show off. flout = to openly disregard a rule. He flaunted his wealth while flouting the tax code.
eminent vs. imminent vs. immanent
eminent = famous, distinguished. imminent = about to happen. immanent = inherent, existing within. The eminent scholar warned that change was imminent, arguing that resistance to it was immanent in the institution's culture.
disinterested vs. uninterested
disinterested = impartial, having no personal stake. uninterested = not interested, bored. A disinterested judge is essential; an uninterested juror is a problem.
continual vs. continuous
continual = repeated often, with breaks. continuous = unbroken, without interruption. Continual interruptions disrupted the otherwise continuous flow of the lecture recording.
venal vs. venial
venal = easily bribed, corrupt. venial = a minor, forgivable offense. The venal official accepted bribes routinely; missing a deadline is a venial mistake by comparison.
ingenious vs. ingenuous
ingenious = clever, inventive. ingenuous = innocent, naive, unsophisticated. Her ingenious solution surprised everyone; his ingenuous trust in strangers worried his parents.
credible vs. credulous
credible = believable (describes a claim/source). credulous = too willing to believe (describes a person). The credible witness gave testimony that even the credulous jury could trust.
adverse vs. averse
adverse = harmful, unfavorable (describes conditions). averse = strongly disliking, opposed to (describes a person's attitude). Adverse weather conditions delayed the flight; she is averse to flying in storms.
elicit vs. illicit
elicit (verb) = to draw out a response. illicit (adjective) = illegal, forbidden. The interview aimed to elicit details about the illicit trading scheme.
allude vs. elude
allude = to refer to indirectly. elude = to escape or avoid. The speech alluded to the scandal without naming it; the suspect eluded capture for weeks.
turbid vs. turgid
turbid = cloudy, muddy (liquid), or confused. turgid = swollen, or (of writing) overly ornate and pompous. The turbid floodwater matched the turgid prose of the report describing it.
Your Turn — Choose the Right Word
সঠিক শব্দটি বেছে নিন।
Show the answer
disinterested — impartial, no personal stake (not "bored").
Show the answer
ingenious — clever and inventive (not naive).
Show the answer
imminent — about to happen (not "famous").
Show the answer
proscribe — to forbid (not "recommend").
Show the answer
elicit — to draw out (verb); "illicit" is an adjective meaning illegal and would not fit this slot.
Next guide: Connotation Training — the #1 skill for Sentence Equivalence accuracy.
পরের গাইড: Connotation প্রশিক্ষণ।