Acquiesce means to consent or comply without protest. When acquiesce takes a preposition, it is usually in. His government can’t acquiesce in the invasion of that country. Acquiesce with the preposition to is uncommon, but acceptable. Gracie, Audrey, and Patrick acquiesced to their parents’ wishes. Acquiesced with is considered obsolete.
Category: Confusing Words
Acquaintance vs Friend
An acquaintance is a person one knows. A friend is a person one knows, likes, and trusts. Joe is an example of an acquaintance who became a friend.
Acme vs Climax
Acme is the highest point. The acme of the classical piano recital was Sharon’s song. Climax is the point of greatest intensity. The climax of the night’s events is the colorful fireworks display.
Acknowledgment vs Acknowledgement
Acknowledgment without the second e is preferred in American usage. Applicants are now receiving acknowledgment letters.
Acidulous vs Assiduous
Acidulous means tart or sour in taste or manner. Her acidulous wit makes her unpopular with some employees. Assiduous means diligent or persistent. He is assiduous in visiting the sick, wherever they live.
Acetic vs Aesthetic vs Ascetic
Acetic refers to things having an acid characteristic. Aesthetic refers to artistic or beautiful things. Ascetic refers to a person austere in appearance, manner, or attitude.
Accuse vs Allege
Accuse means to blame or charge someone with wrongdoing. No one accuses him of mishandling the funds. Allege means to claim something not yet proven. The investigator alleges the investors were tricked by a scam.
Accord vs Accordance
Accord refers to an agreement or settlement. Congress arrived at a unanimous accord on the amendment. Accordance refers to conformity to regulations. My plan is in accordance with the Stock Exchange Regulations.
Accompanied by vs Accompanied with
Accompanied by refers to people or animals. Everywhere the Queen goes, she is accompanied by the King. Accompanied with refers to objects. No photograph will be used that is not accompanied with the release form.
Acclamation vs Acclimation
Acclamation refers to an oral vote or praise of some kind. The board passed by acclamation a motion to fund the plan. The Honor Society appreciated the acclamation of the principal. Acclimation refers to adapting to a new climate or environment. Her acclimation to the cold weather took longer than expected.
Accidentally vs Accidently
Accidentally is the preferred spelling. If you accidentally delete the file, it is possible to restore it.
Accident vs Incident vs Mishap
Accident refers to an unforeseen event (good or bad). George’s call about the job opening was just a lucky accident. A flawed design contributed to the Chernobyl accident. Incident refers to a minor or simple occurrence (good or bad). The entire incident was recorded on video. Mishap refers to a minor unfortunate occurrence. Though no […]