In English, many words have similar spelling and pronunciation, but different meanings. Knowing which word to use will mark you as an expert English speaker, and will give your written communication a professional polish that will be quickly recognized by your current and future employers. The Ultimate Vocabulary program helps you target many of these potentially troublesome words. In this series of posts, we’ll look at twelve pairs of words that are frequently misused.

Adverse v. Averse

While both of these are adjectives that have a negative connotation, they differ in more than their spelling. Adverse is used to describe something that creates an opposing, contrary, or negative influence on a situation, and on your interests related to that situation.

The decline of the dollar has had an adverse impact on United States exports.
Though the heavy fog created adverse conditions for the race, the yachts set sail at dawn.

Averse is the word used to describe your feeling of distaste or disinclination about that situation. A synonym is “unwilling.”

Due to the decline in the dollar, banks are averse to lending money to new export companies.
The captain was averse to sailing in the fog, and waited until it burned off before entering the race.

Complement v. Compliment

After putting in so much work on improving your vocabulary, we’re sure that you will receive many compliments on your language skills. A compliment is an expression of admiration or praise. To compliment someone is to say something nice to and/or about them.

Helen received many compliments from her coworkers on her new hairstyle.
That was a delicious meal – my compliments to the chef!

While receiving a compliment may fill you with a good feeling, it’s probably not something that makes your life complete. Complement means something that completes or makes whole. This word is also used as an expression indicating a state of completeness.

The slight bitterness of the coffee is the perfect complement to the sweetness of the cake.
Before our trek, the guide made sure we had our full complement of emergency supplies.

Unexceptionable v. Unexceptional

These two words, though they look very similar, have nearly opposite meanings. Unexceptional means average, standard, usual – nothing special, in other words. It’s not necessarily a negative word, but it’s not usually used as a compliment, either.

Steven’s performance was unexceptional; the judges did not advance him to the next round.
I find the food at that restaurant unexceptional, and not worth the prices they charge.

Unexceptionable, on the other hand, is a very complimentary word indeed. This adjective is used to describe something that is beyond criticism or reproach, that cannot be complained about because it has no flaws.

The senator was elected by a wide margin due to his unexceptionable ethics and conduct.
In Victorian times, a woman was required to have unexceptionable manners, in public and in private.

In the next post, we’ll look at three more word pairs: eminent/imminent, flaunt/flout, and council/counsel.