Page 11 - NTC's Dictionary of Easily Confused Words_0844257877.djvu

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a while-awhile
• a while [:)'Mml] a short time. D It might be a while before he
returns from his errand.
• awhile [:)MOIi] for a short time. □ We will rest awhile before
continuing our hike.
acts-axe
• acts [rekts] the plural of act 'a deed or an action.' □ In the
military, acts of heroism are recognized by the presentation of
ribbons and medals.
• acts [rekts] the plural of act 'one of the main divisions of a
musical comedy or a play.' D Each of the play's three acts ended
with a dimming of the stage lights.
• acts [rekts] the present tense, third person singular of act 'to
behave.' □ Gregory acts quite differently at school than he does
at home.
• ax(e) [reks] a hand-held chopping tool, similar to a hatchet.
□ One swing of the axe splintered the logs.
• ax(e) [reks] to ask something of someone. (An older, now dia-
lect, form of ask. Not considered standard English. Spelling
may vary.) □ I want to axe you a question. □ Did you axe her
yet?
ad-add
• ad [red] an abbreviation of advertisement 'a notice of some
type, usually published or broadcast.' □ The ad for a part-time
farmhand attracted several interested people.
• add [red] to increase something in amount, number, or size.
□ Each year, I add several stamps to my collection. □ As a
child, I found it easier to add than to subtract.

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