Bailey.Academic_Writing

3.6 Confusing Pairs 137
quite (adv.)/quiet (noun/adj.)
It was quite difficult to explain her hypothesis.
Everyone needs a quiet environment to work effectively.
site (noun)/sight (noun)
The site of the battle is now covered by an airport.
His sight began to weaken when he was in his eighties.
tend to (verb)/trend (noun)
Young children tend to enjoy making a noise.
In many countries there is a trend towards smaller families.
2. Choose the correct word in each sentence.
a) His conclusions were quiet/quite interesting, but
controversial.
b) Millions of people are attempting to lose/loose weight.
c) Sunspots have been known to affect/effect radio
communication.
d) Professor Poledna received their compliments/complements
politely.
e) The ancient symbol depicted a snake eating it’s/its tail.
f) Both social and economical/economic criteria need to be
examined.
g) It took many years for some of Freud’s theories to be
accepted/excepted.
3. Some of the following contain mistakes. Find and correct them.
a) The past has been described as like ‘a foreign country.’
b) One of the most famous sights in Paris is the Eiffel Tower.
c) Re-using old envelopes was one economic suggestion.
d) He was a man of strict principals, who never borrowed
any money.
e) Accept for two students they all spoke Arabic.
f) The taste of lemon complemented the rich flavour of the
fish.
g) Only seven out of a class of sixteen passed the exam.
h) Most oil companies plan to rise prices in the new year.