This book defines hundreds of words, mainly in pairs, that may give rise to confusion for a variety of reasons.

Part of the Concise Dictionary series, this is a practical guide to the grammar of modern English. The author gives advice on avoiding common pitfalls with many examples of both good and incorrect usage. The book is an instructive resource for both native and non-native speakers of English, and is for all ages. Brian Phythian is the author of A Concise Dictionary of English Idioms, English Slang, Foreign Expressions, Confusables and Phrase and Fable.

Adjacent or adjoining? Abuse or misuse? Consist, comprise, constitute, or compose? Guarantee or warranty? Pose, propose, or propound? Stationery or stationary? The Dictionary of Confusable Words aims to clear up the confusion in such cases. In more than 1,100 entries, the meaning of 3,000 individual words are given,the difference between them is explained, and an illustrative example showing the correct usage is provided. The book also includes specific examples to show past and present usage of words, and words occuring as the second or subsequent in a group are cross-referenced to ther head word in the appropriate alphabetical place. Editor Adrian Room has also included some familiar proper names that are sometimes confused, such as Liberia and Libya (countries), Monterey and Monterrey (towns), and Lloyds and Lloyd's (financial institutions). Classic or classical? Discreet or discrete? Continual or Continuous? Principle or Principal? Confused? Be confused no longer, with this handy book as your user-friendly guide.

The correct usage for more than 2,500 commonly misused words is provided in this concise and accessible handbook that assures, insures, and ensures that anyone who wants to communicate accurately and effectively chooses the right word every time. Arranged alphabetically in pairs (or threes when appropriate), entries are carefully cross-referenced and explained with a sentence, guaranteeing that readers find boycott, even when they look up embargo first. Two dozen accompanying cartoons humorously clarify confusing distinctions between words, making this a fun reference for all word lovers to enjoy.