CHAPTER Words Often Confused & Homophones প্রায়ই বিভ্রান্তিকর শব্দ এবং সমউচ্চারণের শব্দ |
1. Introduction — সংজ্ঞা ও পরিচিতি
English-এ অনেক শব্দ আছে যেগুলো দেখতে বা শুনতে প্রায় একইরকম কিন্তু অর্থ সম্পূর্ণ আলাদা। এই শব্দগুলোকে "Words often Confused" বলা হয়।
FORMULA / STRUCTURE |
Homophones: একই উচ্চারণ কিন্তু আলাদা বানান ও অর্থ। e.g. "their / there / they're" Homographs: একই বানান কিন্তু আলাদা উচ্চারণ ও অর্থ। e.g. "lead (metal) / lead (guide)" Homonyms: একই বানান ও উচ্চারণ কিন্তু আলাদা অর্থ। e.g. "bank (river) / bank (financial)" Words often Confused: বানান ও উচ্চারণে মিল থাকায় অনেকে গুলিয়ে ফেলেন। e.g. "affect / effect" Exam Tip: প্রতিটি শব্দের Part of Speech ও প্রয়োগ আলাদা করে শেখো। |
Category | বাংলা সংজ্ঞা | উদাহরণ |
Homophones | একই উচ্চারণ, আলাদা বানান ও অর্থ | to / two / too; there / their / they're |
Homographs | একই বানান, আলাদা উচ্চারণ ও অর্থ | read (present) / read (past); wind (air) / wind (coil) |
Homonyms | একই বানান ও উচ্চারণ, আলাদা অর্থ | bank, light, kind, bear, fair |
Near-homophones | প্রায় একই উচ্চারণ, আলাদা অর্থ | accept / except; affect / effect |
Words often confused | দেখতে বা শুনতে মিল — অর্থে আলাদা | principal / principle; stationary / stationery |
2. Classic Homophones
2.1 their / there / they're
Word & Meaning | Bengali Meaning | Example Sentence |
their (Possessive Adj.) | তাদের (অধিকার বোঝায়) | Their house is very large. |
there (Adverb/Pronoun) | সেখানে / ওখানে / "there is/are" | She is standing over there. / There is a problem. |
they're (They + are) | তারা হচ্ছে / তারা আছে | They're coming to the party tonight. |
✘ Wrong Use | ✔ Correct Use | Rule |
There house is big. | Their house is big. | Possession → their |
Put the book their. | Put the book there. | Place → there |
Their going to win. | They're going to win. | They are → they're |
2.2 to / too / two
Word | Bengali Meaning | Example |
to (Preposition/Infinitive) | দিকে, প্রতি / to + V1 = infinitive | She went to school. / I want to learn. |
too (Adverb) | অতিরিক্ত / এছাড়াও (also) | It is too hot. / She can sing, too. |
two (Number) | দুই (সংখ্যা) | I have two brothers. |
2.3 its / it's
Word | Bengali Meaning | Example |
its (Possessive Adj.) | ইহার, এর (সর্বনামের অধিকার) | The dog wagged its tail. |
it's (it + is / it + has) | এটা হচ্ছে / এটার কাছে | It's raining now. / It's been a long day. |
2.4 your / you're
Word | Bengali Meaning | Example |
your (Possessive Adj.) | তোমার / আপনার | Is this your pen? |
you're (you + are) | তুমি/আপনি হচ্ছো/আছো | You're absolutely right. |
2.5 who's / whose
Word | Bengali Meaning | Example |
who's (who + is/has) | কে হচ্ছে / কার কাছে | Who's coming tonight? / Who's taken my pen? |
whose (Possessive Rel. Pron.) | যার / কার (অধিকার) | Whose idea was this? / The man whose car broke down. |
2.6 More Essential Homophones
Pair | Word 1 | Meaning 1 | Word 2 | Meaning 2 |
hear / here | hear | শোনা (verb) | here | এখানে (adverb) |
know / no | know | জানা (verb) | no | না (determiner) |
new / knew | new | নতুন (adj) | knew | জানত (V2 of know) |
right / write / rite | right | সঠিক/ডান (adj/n) | write | লেখা (verb) / rite = আচার |
sea / see | sea | সমুদ্র (noun) | see | দেখা (verb) |
son / sun | son | পুত্র (noun) | sun | সূর্য (noun) |
hole / whole | hole | গর্ত (noun) | whole | সম্পূর্ণ (adj) |
hour / our | hour | ঘণ্টা (noun) | our | আমাদের (pron) |
wait / weight | wait | অপেক্ষা করা (verb) | weight | ভার/ওজন (noun) |
week / weak | week | সপ্তাহ (noun) | weak | দুর্বল (adj) |
meet / meat | meet | দেখা করা (verb) | meat | মাংস (noun) |
brake / break | brake | ব্রেক (noun/verb) | break | ভাঙা / বিরতি |
flour / flower | flour | আটা (noun) | flower | ফুল (noun) |
plain / plane | plain | সমতল/সরল (adj/n) | plane | বিমান / তল |
mail / male | ডাক/চিঠি (noun) | male | পুরুষ (adj/n) | |
tale / tail | tale | গল্প (noun) | tail | লেজ (noun) |
sail / sale | sail | পাল/নৌকা চালানো | sale | বিক্রয় |
peace / piece | peace | শান্তি (noun) | piece | টুকরো (noun) |
fair / fare | fair | ন্যায্য/মেলা | fare | ভাড়া (transport) |
bare / bear | bare | খালি/নগ্ন | bear | ভাল্লুক / সহ্য করা |
steel / steal | steel | ইস্পাত (noun) | steal | চুরি করা (verb) |
cell / sell | cell | কক্ষ/কোষ (noun) | sell | বিক্রি করা (verb) |
wood / would | wood | কাঠ (noun) | would | Modal auxiliary verb |
whether / weather | whether | কি না (conj) | weather | আবহাওয়া (noun) |
prophet / profit | prophet | নবী (noun) | profit | লাভ (noun) |
sole / soul | sole | একমাত্র/তলা | soul | আত্মা (noun) |
current / currant | current | প্রবাহ/বর্তমান | currant | কিশমিশ (noun) |
stair / stare | stair | সিঁড়ি (noun) | stare | একদৃষ্টে তাকানো |
pair / pear | pair | জোড়া (noun) | pear | নাশপাতি ফল |
board / bored | board | বোর্ড/চড়া (verb) | bored | বিরক্ত (adj) |
3. Words Often Confused
3.1 affect / effect
Word | Part of Speech | Bengali Meaning | Example |
affect | Verb | প্রভাবিত করা | Pollution affects our health. |
effect | Noun | প্রভাব / ফলাফল | The effect of the medicine was immediate. |
effect | Verb (rare) | কার্যকর করা | The manager effected several changes. |
✘ TRAP / WARNING |
TRAP: "Affect" সাধারণত Verb; "Effect" সাধারণত Noun। ✘ The medicine had an affect on him. ✔ The medicine had an effect on him. Memory tip: "A" for Action (affect = verb); "E" for End-result (effect = noun)। |
3.2 accept / except
Word | Part of Speech | Bengali Meaning | Example |
accept | Verb | গ্রহণ করা | She accepted the job offer. |
except | Preposition/Conj. | ব্যতীত, ছাড়া | Everyone passed except him. |
except | Verb (rare) | বাদ দেওয়া | Students may be excepted from the rule. |
3.3 principal / principle
Word | Part of Speech | Bengali Meaning | Example |
principal | Noun | প্রধান শিক্ষক / মূলধন | The principal addressed the students. |
principal | Adjective | প্রধান, মূল | The principal reason is lack of funds. |
principle | Noun | নীতি, মূলনীতি, সূত্র | He is a man of strong principles. |
★ NOTE |
Memory tip: "principAL" — principal is your pAL (friend/boss); "principlE" — a principlE is a rulE। |
3.4 stationary / stationery
Word | Part of Speech | Bengali Meaning | Example |
stationary | Adjective | স্থির, অচল | The car remained stationary at the signal. |
stationery | Noun | কাগজপত্র, লেখার সামগ্রী | She bought stationery from the bookshop. |
★ NOTE |
Memory tip: "stationEry" has "E" — E for Envelopes and pens (লেখার সামগ্রী); "stationAry" has "A" — A for stAying still। |
3.5 compliment / complement
Word | Part of Speech | Bengali Meaning | Example |
compliment | Noun/Verb | প্রশংসা (করা) | She paid him a compliment on his speech. |
complement | Noun/Verb | পরিপূরক (করা) | The sauce complements the dish perfectly. |
★ NOTE |
Memory tip: "complIment" — I like compliments (আমি প্রশংসা ভালোবাসি); "complEment" — complEte করে। |
3.6 council / counsel
Word | Part of Speech | Bengali Meaning | Example |
council | Noun | পরিষদ, সভা | The city council approved the budget. |
counsel | Noun | পরামর্শ / আইনজীবী | She sought legal counsel. |
counsel | Verb | পরামর্শ দেওয়া | The doctor counselled the patient. |
3.7 eminent / imminent / immanent
Word | Part of Speech | Bengali Meaning | Example |
eminent | Adjective | বিশিষ্ট, খ্যাতিমান | She is an eminent scientist. |
imminent | Adjective | আসন্ন, নিকটবর্তী | The storm is imminent. |
immanent | Adjective | অন্তর্নিহিত, সহজাত | The immanent qualities of nature. |
3.8 discreet / discrete
Word | Part of Speech | Bengali Meaning | Example |
discreet | Adjective | বিচক্ষণ, সতর্ক | Be discreet about the matter. |
discrete | Adjective | পৃথক, বিচ্ছিন্ন | The report has three discrete sections. |
3.9 illusion / allusion / delusion / elusion
Word | Part of Speech | Bengali Meaning | Example |
illusion | Noun | বিভ্রম, মরীচিকা | The oasis was just an illusion. |
allusion | Noun | পরোক্ষ উল্লেখ, ইঙ্গিত | His speech contained an allusion to Shakespeare. |
delusion | Noun | ভ্রান্ত বিশ্বাস, মোহ | He suffers from delusions of grandeur. |
elusion | Noun | এড়ানো, ফাঁকি দেওয়া | The criminal's elusion of the police surprised everyone. |
3.10 famous / notorious / infamous
Word | Connotation | Bengali Meaning | Example |
famous | Positive | বিখ্যাত (ভালো কারণে) | Tagore is famous for his poetry. |
notorious | Negative | কুখ্যাত (খারাপ কারণে) | He is notorious for his dishonesty. |
infamous | Negative | কুখ্যাত, জঘন্য | The infamous crime shocked everyone. |
4. More Commonly Confused Words — আরো বিভ্রান্তিকর শব্দজোড়া
4.1 Economic Groups: Economical / Economic / Economics
Word | Meaning | Example |
economic | অর্থনৈতিক (adj — economics সম্পর্কিত) | The economic policy was revised. |
economical | সাশ্রয়ী, মিতব্যয়ী (adj — not wasteful) | She is very economical with money. |
economics | অর্থনীতি বিজ্ঞান (noun — subject) | She studies economics at university. |
economy | অর্থনীতি / মিতব্যয়িতা (noun) | The country's economy is growing. |
4.2 Historic / Historical
Word | Meaning | Example |
historic | ঐতিহাসিক গুরুত্বপূর্ণ (likely to be remembered) | The signing was a historic moment. |
historical | ইতিহাস সংক্রান্ত (related to history) | This is a historical novel set in 1947. |
4.3 Lie / Lay
Word | Meaning | Forms | Example |
lie (intrans.) | শোওয়া (নিজে) | lie / lay / lain / lying | She lies down after lunch. |
lay (trans.) | শোয়ানো / রাখা (অন্যকে) | lay / laid / laid / laying | She laid the baby on the bed. |
4.4 Rise / Raise
Word | Meaning | Forms | Example |
rise (intrans.) | ওঠা (নিজে) | rise / rose / risen / rising | The sun rises in the east. |
raise (trans.) | তোলা, উত্থাপন করা | raise / raised / raised / raising | She raised her hand to ask a question. |
4.5 Sit / Set
Word | Meaning | Forms | Example |
sit (intrans.) | বসা (নিজে) | sit / sat / sat / sitting | Please sit down. |
set (trans.) | রাখা, নির্ধারণ করা | set / set / set / setting | Set the table for dinner. |
4.6 Lend / Borrow
Word | Meaning | Direction | Example |
lend | ধার দেওয়া (give temporarily) | Speaker → other person | Can you lend me your pen? |
borrow | ধার নেওয়া (receive temporarily) | Other person → Speaker | May I borrow your pen? |
4.7 Bring / Take
Word | Meaning | Direction | Example |
bring | নিয়ে আসা (towards speaker) | Towards the speaker | Please bring me a glass of water. |
take | নিয়ে যাওয়া (away from speaker) | Away from the speaker | Please take this letter to the office. |
4.8 Fewer / Less
Word | Meaning | Use with | Example |
fewer | কম (countable) | Countable nouns | Fewer students attended the class. |
less | কম (uncountable) | Uncountable nouns | She drinks less coffee than before. |
✘ TRAP / WARNING |
TRAP: "Less" + Countable Noun = ভুল। ✘ Less students came. ✔ Fewer students came. |
4.9 Further / Farther
Word | Meaning | Use | Example |
farther | আরো দূরে (physical distance) | Physical/measurable distance | The hospital is farther than the school. |
further | আরো অধিক (additional/metaphorical) | Degree / additional | We need further information. |
4.10 Assure / Ensure / Insure
Word | Meaning | Example |
assure | আশ্বস্ত করা (convince a person) | I assure you everything will be fine. |
ensure | নিশ্চিত করা (make certain something happens) | Please ensure the door is locked. |
insure | বিমা করা (financial protection) | You must insure your car. |
4.11 Imply / Infer
Word | Meaning | Direction | Example |
imply | ইঙ্গিত দেওয়া (speaker hints) | Speaker → Listener | His tone implied that he was angry. |
infer | অনুমান করা (listener deduces) | Listener draws conclusion | From his tone, I inferred he was angry. |
4.12 Oral / Verbal
Word | Meaning | Example |
oral | মৌখিক (spoken, by mouth) | She gave an oral presentation. |
verbal | ভাষাগত (in words, spoken or written) | We had a verbal agreement. |
4.13 Definite / Definitive
Word | Meaning | Example |
definite | নির্দিষ্ট, স্পষ্ট | She gave a definite answer. |
definitive | চূড়ান্ত, প্রামাণিক (conclusive) | This is the definitive study on the subject. |
4.14 Practical / Practicable
Word | Meaning | Example |
practical | ব্যবহারিক, কার্যকর (sensible/useful) | She is a very practical person. |
practicable | করা সম্ভব (can be done/feasible) | The plan is practicable within budget. |
4.15 Childlike / Childish
Word | Meaning | Example |
childlike | শিশুসুলভ (positive — innocent) | She has a childlike enthusiasm for learning. |
childish | শিশুর মতো (negative — immature) | Don't be so childish about minor issues. |
5. Master Reference Table
Word 1 | অর্থ / Part of Speech | Word 2 | অর্থ / Part of Speech | Key Difference |
accept | গ্রহণ করা (verb) | except | ছাড়া, ব্যতীত (prep) | accept = receive; except = excluding |
affect | প্রভাবিত করা (verb) | effect | প্রভাব (noun) | affect = action; effect = result |
advice | পরামর্শ (noun) | advise | পরামর্শ দেওয়া (verb) | noun vs. verb |
aisle | পথ (church/plane) | isle | দ্বীপ (island) | aisle = passage; isle = island |
allude | পরোক্ষে বলা | elude | এড়িয়ে যাওয়া | allude = hint; elude = escape |
alternate | পর্যায়ক্রমিক | alternative | বিকল্প | alternate = take turns; alternative = other option |
altogether | সম্পূর্ণরূপে (adv) | all together | সবাই মিলে | altogether = completely; all together = everyone |
amoral | নৈতিকতাবর্জিত | immoral | অনৈতিক | amoral = no morals; immoral = wrong morals |
avenge | প্রতিশোধ নেওয়া | revenge | প্রতিশোধ (noun/verb) | avenge = just; revenge = personal |
beside | পাশে (prep) | besides | এছাড়াও (adv/prep) | beside = next to; besides = in addition |
biannual | বছরে দুইবার | biennial | দুই বছরে একবার | bi = two; annual = year; ennial = 2 years |
born | জন্মগ্রহণ করা (V3) | borne | বহন করা (V3 of bear) | born = give birth; borne = carried |
brake | ব্রেক (n/v) | break | ভাঙা / বিরতি | brake = stop; break = smash or rest |
breach | লঙ্ঘন করা | breech | পিছন (back part) | breach = violation; breech = rear |
callous | নির্দয় (adj) | callus | কড়া (skin — noun) | callous = feeling; callus = physical |
canvas | ক্যানভাস কাপড় | canvass | মতামত সংগ্রহ করা | canvas = cloth; canvass = survey |
capital | রাজধানী / মূলধন | capitol | সংসদ ভবন (US) | capital = city/money; capitol = building |
censor | সেন্সর করা | censure | নিন্দা করা | censor = edit/restrict; censure = criticize |
chord | সুর সংহতি (music) | cord | রশি, তার | chord = musical; cord = rope/wire |
cite | উদ্ধৃত করা | sight | দৃষ্টি | site = স্থান; cite = quote; sight = vision |
climactic | চরম মুহূর্তের | climatic | আবহাওয়া সংক্রান্ত | climactic = climax; climatic = climate |
coarse | রুক্ষ, মোটা (adj) | course | কোর্স, পথ (noun) | coarse = rough; course = path/class |
compose | রচনা করা | comprise | গঠিত হওয়া | The whole comprises parts; parts compose the whole |
contemptible | ঘৃণ্য, তুচ্ছ | contemptuous | ঘৃণাকারী, অবজ্ঞাপূর্ণ | contemptible = deserves contempt; contemptuous = shows contempt |
continual | বারবার থামতে থামতে | continuous | একটানা, বিরামহীন | continual = repeated; continuous = unbroken |
credible | বিশ্বাসযোগ্য | credulous | সহজবিশ্বাসী | credible = believable; credulous = too trusting |
currant | কিশমিশ (fruit) | current | প্রবাহ / বর্তমান | currant = fruit; current = flow/present |
decided | মনস্থির (adj) | decisive | দৃঢ়নিশ্চয়ী | decided = definite; decisive = able to decide |
deduce | যুক্তিতে সিদ্ধান্ত নেওয়া | deduct | বাদ দেওয়া | deduce = infer; deduct = subtract |
definite | নির্দিষ্ট | definitive | চূড়ান্ত প্রামাণিক | definite = clear; definitive = final |
deprecate | অপছন্দ প্রকাশ করা | depreciate | মূল্য হ্রাস পাওয়া | deprecate = disapprove; depreciate = lose value |
desert | মরুভূমি / ত্যাগ করা | dessert | মিষ্টান্ন (খাবার) | desert = abandon/sand; dessert = sweet food |
disinterested | নিরপেক্ষ (unbiased) | uninterested | অনাগ্রহী (not interested) | disinterested = neutral; uninterested = not interested |
distinct | আলাদা, স্বতন্ত্র | distinctive | বৈশিষ্ট্যমূলক | distinct = separate; distinctive = characteristic |
economic | অর্থনৈতিক | economical | মিতব্যয়ী | economic = of economy; economical = thrifty |
elicit | বের করে আনা | illicit | অবৈধ | elicit = draw out; illicit = illegal |
emigrate | বিদেশে চলে যাওয়া | immigrate | বিদেশ থেকে আসা | emigrate = leave; immigrate = arrive |
eminent | বিশিষ্ট | imminent | আসন্ন | eminent = famous; imminent = about to happen |
empathy | সহমর্মিতা | sympathy | সহানুভূতি | empathy = feel with; sympathy = feel for |
envelop | ঘিরে ফেলা (verb) | envelope | খাম (noun) | envelop = surround; envelope = letter cover |
enviable | ঈর্ষণীয় | envious | ঈর্ষান্বিত | enviable = worth envying; envious = feeling envy |
explicit | স্পষ্ট, বিস্তারিত | implicit | নিহিত, বোঝানো | explicit = stated clearly; implicit = implied |
flair | বিশেষ দক্ষতা | flare | জ্বলে ওঠা / সংকেত | flair = talent; flare = burst of light |
flaunt | দেখানো, জাহির করা | flout | অবজ্ঞা করা | flaunt = show off; flout = ignore rules |
flounder | হোঁচট খাওয়া | founder | ডুবে যাওয়া / প্রতিষ্ঠাতা | flounder = struggle; founder = sink/establish |
foreword | ভূমিকা (book) | forward | সামনের দিকে | foreword = preface; forward = direction |
formally | আনুষ্ঠানিকভাবে | formerly | পূর্বে, আগে | formally = in a formal way; formerly = previously |
gibe | ব্যঙ্গ করা | jibe | একমত হওয়া / নৌকার পাল | gibe = taunt; jibe = agree |
gorilla | গরিলা (animal) | guerrilla | গেরিলা যোদ্ধা | animal vs. fighter |
historic | ইতিহাস-সৃষ্টিকারী | historical | ইতিহাস-সংক্রান্ত | historic = important; historical = about history |
horde | ঝাঁক, দল | hoard | মজুত করা / গুপ্তধন | horde = group; hoard = stockpile |
humanitarian | মানবদরদী | humane | মানবিক, দয়ালু | humanitarian = person; humane = quality |
hyper | অতিরিক্ত (prefix) | hypo | হ্রাস, নিম্ন (prefix) | hyper = over; hypo = under |
imply | ইঙ্গিত দেওয়া (speaker) | infer | অনুমান করা (listener) | speaker implies; listener infers |
incredible | অবিশ্বাস্য | incredulous | অবিশ্বাসী | incredible = cannot be believed; incredulous = not believing |
judicial | বিচার-সংক্রান্ত | judicious | বিচক্ষণ, সুবিবেচক | judicial = of courts; judicious = showing good judgment |
later | পরে (time) | latter | পরবর্তী (of two things) | later = time; latter = second of two |
lay | শোয়ানো (V2 of lie) | lie | শোওয়া (verb) | lay = past of lie; also transitive verb |
loath | অনিচ্ছুক (adj) | loathe | ঘৃণা করা (verb) | loath = reluctant; loathe = hate |
luxuriant | ঘন, প্রচুর (lush) | luxurious | বিলাসবহুল | luxuriant = abundant; luxurious = opulent |
marital | বৈবাহিক | martial | সামরিক | marital = marriage; martial = military |
masterful | কর্তৃত্বপরায়ণ | masterly | দক্ষ, নিপুণ | masterful = domineering; masterly = skilled |
militate | বিরুদ্ধে কাজ করা | mitigate | প্রশমিত করা | militate against = work against; mitigate = reduce |
moral | নৈতিক (adj) / নৈতিকতা (n) | morale | মনোবল | moral = ethics; morale = spirit/confidence |
motive | উদ্দেশ্য, কারণ | motif | নকশার থিম | motive = reason; motif = recurring theme |
nauseated | বমিবমি ভাব (feeling sick) | nauseous | বমিভাব সৃষ্টিকারী | nauseated = feeling sick; nauseous = causing sickness |
notable | উল্লেখযোগ্য | notorious | কুখ্যাত | notable = worth noting; notorious = famous for bad |
observance | পালন করা (rule/custom) | observation | পর্যবেক্ষণ | observance = following; observation = noticing |
oral | মৌখিক (spoken) | verbal | ভাষাগত (word-based) | oral = by mouth; verbal = in words (spoken or written) |
ordinance | বিধিনিয়ম, অধ্যাদেশ | ordnance | অস্ত্রশস্ত্র, গোলাবারুদ | ordinance = law; ordnance = military weapons |
persecute | নির্যাতন করা | prosecute | বিচারে সোপর্দ করা | persecute = oppress; prosecute = take to court |
personal | ব্যক্তিগত (adj) | personnel | কর্মীবাহিনী (noun) | personal = private; personnel = staff |
perspicacious | তীক্ষ্ণবুদ্ধি | perspicuous | স্পষ্ট, বোধগম্য | perspicacious = shrewd; perspicuous = clear |
phenomenon | ঘটনা (singular) | phenomena | ঘটনাসমূহ (plural) | phenomenon = one; phenomena = many |
practical | ব্যবহারিক, কার্যকর | practicable | করা সম্ভব, সম্ভাব্য | practical = useful; practicable = feasible |
precede | পূর্বে ঘটা, আগে যাওয়া | proceed | এগিয়ে যাওয়া | precede = come before; proceed = go forward |
principal | প্রধান (adj/n) | principle | নীতি (noun) | principal = main/head; principle = rule/belief |
prodigy | অলৌকিক প্রতিভা | protégé | পোষ্য, শিষ্য | prodigy = gifted person; protégé = mentored person |
purposely | ইচ্ছাকৃতভাবে | purposefully | লক্ষ্যনিষ্ঠভাবে | purposely = on purpose; purposefully = with purpose/determination |
raise | তোলা (trans. verb) | rise | ওঠা (intrans. verb) | raise = lift something; rise = go up by itself |
rational | যুক্তিসংগত | rationale | কারণ, যুক্তি (noun) | rational = adj; rationale = noun (reason given) |
rebut | খণ্ডন করা | refute | প্রমাণসহ খণ্ডন | rebut = argue against; refute = prove wrong |
recount | বর্ণনা করা / আবার গণনা | re-count | পুনরায় গণনা করা | recount = tell again; re-count = count again |
regretful | অনুতাপকারী (adj) | regrettable | দুঃখজনক (adj) | regretful = feeling regret; regrettable = worthy of regret |
sensual | ইন্দ্রিয়সুখের | sensuous | ইন্দ্রিয়-সংক্রান্ত (aesthetic) | sensual = physical pleasure; sensuous = aesthetic pleasure |
sight | দৃষ্টি (noun) | site | স্থান (noun) | sight/site/cite: vision/place/quote |
stationary | স্থির (adj) | stationery | লেখার সামগ্রী (noun) | stationary = not moving; stationery = paper/pens |
storey | তলা (building floor) | story | গল্প | storey = floor; story = narrative |
straight | সরলরেখায় | strait | প্রণালী (geography) | straight = direct; strait = narrow waterway |
tortuous | আঁকাবাঁকা | torturous | যন্ত্রণাদায়ক | tortuous = winding; torturous = causing pain |
turbid | ঘোলা (cloudy liquid) | turgid | স্ফীত / অতিরঞ্জিত | turbid = muddy; turgid = swollen/pompous |
uninterested | অনাগ্রহী | disinterested | নিরপেক্ষ | uninterested = not interested; disinterested = unbiased |
urban | শহুরে (adj) | urbane | মার্জিত, ভদ্র (adj) | urban = city; urbane = sophisticated |
venal | ঘুষখোর, দুর্নীতিগ্রস্ত | venial | ক্ষমার যোগ্য | venal = corrupt; venial = pardonable |
verbal | ভাষাগত | oral | মৌখিক (by mouth) | verbal = words (spoken or written); oral = spoken only |
veracious | সত্যবাদী | voracious | অতিভোজী, লোভী | veracious = truthful; voracious = greedy/huge appetite |
waive | মওকুফ করা | wave | তরঙ্গ / হাত নাড়া | waive = give up (right); wave = motion/water |
6. Homophone Master List
Word 1 | অর্থ | Word 2 | অর্থ | Word 3 (if any) | অর্থ |
air | বায়ু | heir | উত্তরাধিকারী | — | — |
aisle | করিডোর | isle | দ্বীপ | I'll | I will |
ale | এক ধরনের বিয়ার | ail | অসুস্থ হওয়া | — | — |
altar | বেদী | alter | পরিবর্তন করা | — | — |
arc | বৃত্তচাপ | ark | নৌকা (Noah's) | — | — |
assistance | সাহায্য | assistants | সহকারীগণ | — | — |
aural | শ্রবণ-সংক্রান্ত | oral | মৌখিক | — | — |
bail | জামিন | bale | গাঁটরি/আঁটি | — | — |
ball | বল/নৃত্যসভা | bawl | চিৎকার করা | — | — |
band | দল/ব্যান্ড | banned | নিষিদ্ধ | — | — |
base | ভিত্তি | bass | মাছ/নিম্নসুর | — | — |
beach | সমুদ্র সৈকত | beech | বিচ গাছ | — | — |
been | থেকেছে (V3) | bean | শিম | — | — |
berry | ফল (small) | bury | কবর দেওয়া | — | — |
blew | ফুঁ দিয়েছিল (V2) | blue | নীল রং | — | — |
board | তক্তা/বোর্ড | bored | বিরক্ত | — | — |
bough | গাছের ডাল | bow | ধনুক/নমস্কার | — | — |
buy | কেনা | by | দ্বারা/পাশে | bye | বিদায় |
caught | ধরেছিল (V2/V3) | court | আদালত/দরবার | — | — |
ceiling | ছাদ (inside) | sealing | সিলমোহর করা | — | — |
cent | সেন্ট (money) | scent | সুগন্ধ | sent | পাঠিয়েছিল (V2) |
cereal | শস্যজাত খাদ্য | serial | ধারাবাহিক | — | — |
cheap | সস্তা | cheep | পাখির ডাক | — | — |
check | চেক/পরীক্ষা করা | cheque | ব্যাংক চেক | — | — |
choir | গায়কদল | quire | কাগজের বিশটি পাতা | — | — |
coarse | রুক্ষ | course | কোর্স/পথ | — | — |
complement | পরিপূরক | compliment | প্রশংসা | — | — |
council | পরিষদ | counsel | পরামর্শ | — | — |
deer | হরিণ | dear | প্রিয়/দামি | — | — |
die | মরা/ছক্কা | dye | রং করা | — | — |
dew | শিশির | do | করা | due | প্রাপ্য/কারণে |
earn | উপার্জন করা | urn | কলস | — | — |
eight | আট (8) | ate | খেয়েছিল (V2) | — | — |
ewe | মেষী (female sheep) | yew | ইউ গাছ | you | তুমি/আপনি |
faint | অজ্ঞান/ক্ষীণ | feint | কৌশলী আক্রমণ | — | — |
feat | কীর্তি, সাফল্য | feet | পা (plural of foot) | — | — |
find | খুঁজে পাওয়া | fined | জরিমানা করা হয়েছে | — | — |
flea | মাছি (insect) | flee | পালানো | — | — |
flew | উড়েছিল (V2) | flue | চিমনি | flu | ইনফ্লুয়েঞ্জা |
fore | সামনে/সতর্কবার্তা | for | জন্য | four | চার (4) |
foul | নোংরা/ফাউল | fowl | মোরগ/হাঁস (bird) | — | — |
gait | হাঁটার ধরন | gate | ফটক | — | — |
gilt | সোনার প্রলেপ | guilt | অপরাধবোধ | — | — |
groan | আর্তনাদ করা | grown | বেড়েছে (V3) | — | — |
guise | ছদ্মবেশ | guys | ছেলেরা (informal) | — | — |
hail | শিলা/অভিনন্দন | hale | সুস্থ | — | — |
hall | হল/করিডোর | haul | টেনে নেওয়া | — | — |
hart | পুরুষ হরিণ | heart | হৃদয় | — | — |
hay | খড় | hey | হেই (exclamation) | — | — |
heal | সুস্থ হওয়া | heel | গোড়ালি | he'll | he will |
hear | শোনা | here | এখানে | — | — |
heard | শুনেছিল (V2) | herd | পশুর দল | — | — |
him | তাকে (objective) | hymn | সংগীত/স্তোত্র | — | — |
hire | ভাড়া করা | higher | উচ্চতর | — | — |
hoarse | কর্কশ (voice) | horse | ঘোড়া | — | — |
hole | গর্ত | whole | সম্পূর্ণ | — | — |
hour | ঘণ্টা | our | আমাদের | — | — |
idle | অলস | idol | মূর্তি/আদর্শ | — | — |
in | ভেতরে | inn | সরাইখানা | — | — |
knight | নাইট (chess/title) | night | রাত | — | — |
knot | গিঁট | not | না | — | — |
know | জানা | no | না | — | — |
lessen | কমানো | lesson | পাঠ | — | — |
loan | ধার | lone | একাকী | — | — |
made | তৈরি করেছে (V2) | maid | গৃহকর্মী | — | — |
mall | বাজার/শপিং সেন্টার | maul | ছিঁড়ে ফেলা | — | — |
manner | আচরণ/পদ্ধতি | manor | ম্যানর বাড়ি | — | — |
medal | পদক | meddle | নাক গলানো | — | — |
meat | মাংস | meet | দেখা করা | mete | পরিমাপ করা |
minor | অপ্রাপ্তবয়স্ক/ছোট | miner | খনিশ্রমিক | — | — |
missed | মিস করেছিল (V2) | mist | কুয়াশা | — | — |
morning | সকাল | mourning | শোক পালন | — | — |
muscle | পেশি | mussel | ঝিনুক | — | — |
naval | নৌবাহিনীর | navel | নাভি | — | — |
need | প্রয়োজন | knead | মাখা (dough) | — | — |
none | কেউ না | nun | সন্ন্যাসিনী | — | — |
oar | দাঁড় | or | অথবা | ore | আকরিক |
pail | বালতি | pale | ফ্যাকাশে | — | — |
pain | যন্ত্রণা | pane | কাঁচের পাত | — | — |
passed | পেরিয়ে গেছে (V2) | past | অতীত | — | — |
pause | বিরতি | paws | থাবা (animal feet) | — | — |
peace | শান্তি | piece | টুকরো | — | — |
peak | চূড়া | peek | উঁকি দেওয়া | pique | বিরক্তি/রাগ |
plain | সমতল/সরল | plane | বিমান/তল | — | — |
plum | বরই ফল | plumb | সাহল/লম্বায় মাপা | — | — |
pole | খুঁটি/মেরু | poll | ভোট/জনমত | — | — |
pray | প্রার্থনা করা | prey | শিকার | — | — |
principal | প্রধান | principle | নীতি | — | — |
profit | লাভ | prophet | নবী | — | — |
queue | সারি/লাইন | cue | ইঙ্গিত/বিলিয়ার্ড লাঠি | — | — |
rain | বৃষ্টি | reign | রাজত্ব করা | rein | লাগাম |
rap | টোকা দেওয়া/র্যাপ | wrap | মোড়া | — | — |
raw | কাঁচা | roar | গর্জন | — | — |
read | পড়া (present) | reed | নল/বাঁশি | red | লাল |
real | বাস্তব | reel | চরকা/হোঁচট খাওয়া | — | — |
right | সঠিক/ডান | write | লেখা | rite | আচার |
road | রাস্তা | rode | চড়েছিল (V2) | rowed | বৈঠা বেয়েছিল |
role | ভূমিকা | roll | গড়ানো/রুটি | — | — |
root | শিকড় | route | পথ | — | — |
rose | গোলাপ/উঠেছিল | rows | সারি (plural) | — | — |
sale | বিক্রয় | sail | পাল/নৌকা চালানো | — | — |
sea | সমুদ্র | see | দেখা | — | — |
seam | সেলাইয়ের জোড় | seem | মনে হওয়া | — | — |
shear | কাটছাঁট করা | sheer | একেবারে/পাতলা | — | — |
sight | দৃষ্টি/দৃশ্য | site | স্থান | cite | উদ্ধৃত করা |
slay | হত্যা করা | sleigh | স্লেজ গাড়ি | — | — |
soar | উপরে উড়া | sore | ক্ষত/বেদনাদায়ক | — | — |
sole | একমাত্র/পায়ের তলা | soul | আত্মা | — | — |
some | কিছু/কেউ | sum | যোগফল/সমষ্টি | — | — |
son | পুত্র | sun | সূর্য | — | — |
stair | সিঁড়ির ধাপ | stare | একদৃষ্টে তাকানো | — | — |
stationary | স্থির | stationery | লেখার সামগ্রী | — | — |
steal | চুরি করা | steel | ইস্পাত | — | — |
suite | কক্ষসমূহ (hotel) | sweet | মিষ্টি | — | — |
tail | লেজ | tale | গল্প | — | — |
team | দল | teem | পরিপূর্ণ হওয়া | — | — |
their | তাদের (possessive) | there | সেখানে | they're | they are |
threw | ছুঁড়েছিল (V2) | through | দিয়ে/মাধ্যমে | — | — |
throne | সিংহাসন | thrown | ছোড়া হয়েছে (V3) | — | — |
tide | জোয়ার-ভাটা | tied | বাঁধা (V2/V3) | — | — |
to | দিকে/to+V1 | too | অতিরিক্ত/also | two | দুই (২) |
toad | ব্যাঙ (toad) | towed | টেনে নিয়ে গেছে | — | — |
vale | উপত্যকা | veil | পর্দা/আবরণ | — | — |
vary | পরিবর্তিত হওয়া | very | খুব, অত্যন্ত | — | — |
wade | হেঁটে পার হওয়া | weighed | ওজন করা হয়েছিল | — | — |
waist | কোমর | waste | অপচয় | — | — |
wait | অপেক্ষা করা | weight | ওজন | — | — |
war | যুদ্ধ | wore | পরেছিল (V2) | — | — |
ware | পণ্য | wear | পরা | where | কোথায় |
way | পথ/উপায় | weigh | ওজন করা | whey | দুধের তরল অংশ |
weak | দুর্বল | week | সপ্তাহ | — | — |
which | কোনটি | witch | ডাইনি | — | — |
while | যখন/সময় | wile | কৌশল/ফাঁদ | — | — |
wood | কাঠ | would | Modal verb | — | — |
yoke | জোয়াল | yolk | ডিমের কুসুম | — | — |
your | তোমার/আপনার | you're | you are | yore | অতীতকাল |
7. Tricky Pairs
7.1 Continual vs Continuous
Word | Meaning | Example |
continual | বারবার থামতে থামতে চলা (with interruptions) | The continual interruptions made it hard to concentrate. |
continuous | একটানা, বিরামহীন (without interruption) | The machine makes a continuous noise 24 hours a day. |
7.2 Comprise / Compose / Constitute / Include
Word | Meaning | Correct Use |
comprise | গঠিত হওয়া (whole comprises parts) | The country comprises seven divisions. (NOT "comprised of") |
compose | গঠন করা (parts compose the whole) | Seven divisions compose the country. |
constitute | গঠন করা (similar to compose) | Seven divisions constitute the country. |
include | অন্তর্ভুক্ত করা (partial list) | The team includes three women. (not all members stated) |
✘ TRAP / WARNING |
TRAP: "Comprised of" is widely considered WRONG in formal English. ✘ The team is comprised of ten players. ✔ The team comprises ten players. ✔ The team is composed of ten players. |
7.3 Emigrate vs Immigrate vs Migrate
Word | Meaning | Preposition | Example |
emigrate | দেশ ছেড়ে যাওয়া | from | He emigrated from Bangladesh to Canada. |
immigrate | নতুন দেশে আসা | to | He immigrated to Canada. |
migrate | স্থানান্তর করা (animals/seasonal) | — | Birds migrate south in winter. |
7.4 Convince vs Persuade
Word | Meaning | Structure | Example |
convince | বিশ্বাসে রাজি করানো (change belief) | convince + of / convince + that | He convinced her of his innocence. |
persuade | কাজে রাজি করানো (change action) | persuade + to + V1 | She persuaded him to attend the meeting. |
7.5 Lie / Lay — Complete Forms
Verb | Meaning | V1 | V2 | V3 | V4 (V-ing) | Example |
lie | শোওয়া (intrans.) | lie | lay | lain | lying | She lies on the sofa. / She lay down yesterday. |
lay | শোয়ানো/রাখা (trans.) | lay | laid | laid | laying | She lays the book. / She laid eggs. |
lie | মিথ্যা বলা (intrans.) | lie | lied | lied | lying | He lied about his age. |
7.6 Shall vs Will — Classical Usage
Person | Shall (future) | Will (determination/threat) |
1st Person (I/We) | I shall go tomorrow. (simple future) | I will succeed no matter what. (determination) |
2nd/3rd Person | You shall be rewarded. (promise/command) | He will go tomorrow. (simple future) |
★ NOTE |
Modern Usage: "Will" is now used with all persons for simple future. "Shall" survives mainly in questions (Shall I help?) and formal writing। |
7.7 Fewer / Less / Little / Few
Word | Use with | Meaning | Example |
few | Countable noun (negative) | কম (প্রায় নেই) | Few students passed. (very few — negative) |
a few | Countable noun (positive) | কিছু (positive) | A few students passed. (some — positive) |
little | Uncountable noun (negative) | অল্প (প্রায় নেই) | He has little money. (almost none) |
a little | Uncountable noun (positive) | কিছু অল্প (positive) | He has a little money. (some) |
fewer | Countable noun (comparison) | কম (তুলনামূলক) | Fewer people came this year. |
less | Uncountable noun (comparison) | কম (তুলনামূলক) | Less water was used. |
8. MCQ Practice
Q1. Choose the correct word: "The new law will ___ all citizens."
(a) effect
(b) affect
(c) affection
(d) effectuate
Answer: (b) affect
Explanation: "Affect" = verb (প্রভাবিত করা); "effect" = noun (প্রভাব)।
Q2. "The principal ___ is to serve the public." — Choose the correct word.
(a) principal
(b) principle
(c) principel
(d) prinicple
Answer: (b) principle
Explanation: "Principle" = নীতি (noun); "principal" = প্রধান।
Q3. Which is correct? "The car is ___; it hasn't moved for hours."
(a) stationary
(b) stationery
(c) stationaery
(d) stationare
Answer: (a) stationary
Explanation: "Stationary" (adj) = স্থির; "stationery" (noun) = লেখার সামগ্রী।
Q4. "She received many ___ on her speech." — Choose the correct word.
(a) complements
(b) compliments
(c) complementts
(d) complimints
Answer: (b) compliments
Explanation: "Compliment" = প্রশংসা; "complement" = পরিপূরক।
Q5. Choose the correct word: "___ going to the market today."
(a) Their
(b) There
(c) They're
(d) Thier
Answer: (c) They're
Explanation: "They're" = They + are; "their" = তাদের; "there" = সেখানে।
Q6. "The ___ of the medicine was felt immediately."
(a) affect
(b) effect
(c) affection
(d) effection
Answer: (b) effect
Explanation: "Effect" = noun (প্রভাব); "affect" = verb।
Q7. Which is correct? "He emigrated ___ Bangladesh."
(a) to
(b) from
(c) in
(d) at
Answer: (b) from
Explanation: "Emigrate FROM" (leave); "immigrate TO" (arrive)।
Q8. "The politician made an ___ to the constitution."
(a) allusion
(b) illusion
(c) delusion
(d) elusion
Answer: (a) allusion
Explanation: "Allusion" = পরোক্ষ উল্লেখ; "illusion" = বিভ্রম।
Q9. Choose the correct sentence:
(a) "The team is comprised of ten players."
(b) "The team comprises ten players."
(c) "The team is comprising ten players."
(d) "The team comprises of ten players."
Answer: (b) "The team comprises ten players."
Explanation: "Comprise" does not take "of" — "comprises ten players" is correct।
Q10. "She is an ___ scientist known worldwide."
(a) eminent
(b) imminent
(c) immanent
(d) emanate
Answer: (a) eminent
Explanation: "Eminent" = বিশিষ্ট; "imminent" = আসন্ন।
Q11. Which sentence is CORRECT?
(a) "Less students attended this year."
(b) "Fewer students attended this year."
(c) "Lesser students attended this year."
(d) "A little students attended.
Answer: (b) "Fewer students attended this year."
Explanation: "Students" = countable → "fewer" (not "less")।
Q12. "He ___ the book on the shelf carefully."
(a) lied
(b) lay
(c) laid
(d) lain
Answer: (c) laid
Explanation: "Lay" (V2 of "lay" = to place) → laid; "lay" transitive means to place something।
Q13. Choose the correct word: "She ___ her mentor's opinion."
(a) inferred
(b) implied
(c) inferring
(d) implication
Answer: (a) inferred
Explanation: "Infer" = listener deduces; "imply" = speaker hints।
Q14. "The storm is ___; we must prepare now."
(a) eminent
(b) immanent
(c) imminent
(d) emanate
Answer: (c) imminent
Explanation: "Imminent" = আসন্ন (about to happen)।
Q15. Which is the correct homophone pair for "sea"?
(a) see
(b) si
(c) cee
(d) sei
Answer: (a) see
Explanation: "Sea" (সমুদ্র) and "see" (দেখা) are homophones।
Q16. "He is famous ___ his dishonesty." — Choose the correct word.
(a) famous
(b) notorious
(c) eminent
(d) distinguished
Answer: (b) notorious
Explanation: "Notorious" = কুখ্যাত (bad reasons); "famous" = বিখ্যাত (good reasons)।
Q17. Which sentence uses "disinterested" correctly?
(a) "He was disinterested in science." (= not interested)
(b) The judge remained disinterested throughout the trial. (= unbiased)
(c) She became disinterested in the game. (= not interested)
(d) Both a and c are correct.
Answer: (b) The judge remained disinterested throughout the trial. (= unbiased)
Explanation: "Disinterested" = নিরপেক্ষ (unbiased); "uninterested" = অনাগ্রহী।
Q18. "Please ___ your car before the long journey."
(a) ensure
(b) assure
(c) insure
(d) reassure
Answer: (c) insure
Explanation: "Insure" = বিমা করা; "ensure" = নিশ্চিত করা; "assure" = আশ্বস্ত করা।
Q19. Choose the correct word: "He ___ me that the plan would work."
(a) ensured
(b) insured
(c) assured
(d) confirmed
Answer: (c) assured
Explanation: "Assure" = আশ্বস্ত করা (convince a person); "ensure" = make certain।
Q20. "The bread ___ from the basket." — Correct word:
(a) fell
(b) fall
(c) failed
(d) felt
Answer: (a) fell
Explanation: Simple Past of "fall" = fell।
Q21. Choose the correct spelling for "writing materials":
(a) stationary
(b) stationery
(c) stationarey
(d) stationry
Answer: (b) stationery
Explanation: "Stationery" (noun) = লেখার সামগ্রী।
Q22. "The road ___ winding through the mountains." — Correct form:
(a) tortuous
(b) torturous
(c) torcherous
(d) tortueous
Answer: (a) tortuous
Explanation: "Tortuous" = আঁকাবাঁকা; "torturous" = যন্ত্রণাদায়ক।
Q23. Which is correct? "She ___ to the committee about budget issues."
(a) alluded
(b) eluded
(c) deluded
(d) illuded
Answer: (a) alluded
Explanation: "Allude" = পরোক্ষে উল্লেখ করা; "elude" = এড়িয়ে যাওয়া।
Q24. "The ___ novel is based on actual events." — Choose correctly:
(a) historic
(b) historical
(c) historial
(d) historick
Answer: (b) historical
Explanation: "Historical" = ইতিহাস-সংক্রান্ত; "historic" = historically significant।
Q25. "There are ___ options available." — Choose correctly:
(a) alternate
(b) alternative
(c) alternation
(d) alternately
Answer: (b) alternative
Explanation: "Alternative" = বিকল্প; "alternate" = পর্যায়ক্রমিক।
Q26. Which sentence is CORRECT?
(a) "She complemented him on his work."
(b) "She complimented him on his work."
(c) "She complaminted him on his work."
(d) "She complemented with his work."
Answer: (b) "She complimented him on his work."
Explanation: "Compliment" (verb) = প্রশংসা করা।
Q27. "The ___ agent collected the rent." — Choose the correct word:
(a) principle
(b) principal
(c) prinicple
(d) principul
Answer: (b) principal
Explanation: "Principal" (noun) = প্রধান/মূল ব্যক্তি।
Q28. Which pair are HOMOPHONES?
(a) affect / effect
(b) principle / principal
(c) their / there
(d) advice / advise
Answer: (c) their / there
Explanation: "Their" and "there" sound the same — perfect homophones।
Q29. "She ___ her opponent and won the debate."
(a) refuted
(b) rebutted
(c) rebuffed
(d) refused
Answer: (a) refuted
Explanation: "Refute" = প্রমাণসহ খণ্ডন করা; "rebut" = argue against।
Q30. "He ___ to be guilty by the investigators."
(a) was found
(b) was fined
(c) was founded
(d) was fund
Answer: (a) was found
Explanation: "Was found (to be)" = বিচার করা হয়েছে।
Q31. Choose the correct word: "He is very ___ with money — he never wastes."
(a) economic
(b) economical
(c) economics
(d) economy
Answer: (b) economical
Explanation: "Economical" = মিতব্যয়ী; "economic" = অর্থনৈতিক।
Q32. Which sentence is INCORRECT?
(a) "She implied that he was wrong."
(b) "From her tone, I inferred he was wrong."
(c) "She inferred that he was wrong." (speaker inferring)
(d) All are correct.
Answer: (c) "She inferred that he was wrong." (speaker inferring)
Explanation: "Infer" is done by the listener, not the speaker — speaker implies।
Q33. Choose the CORRECT sentence about "lie/lay":
(a) "She lied the baby on the bed."
(b) "She laid the baby on the bed."
(c) "She lay the baby on the bed."
(d) "She lain the baby on the bed."
Answer: (b) "She laid the baby on the bed."
Explanation: "Lay" (transitive) = to place; past tense = laid।
Q34. Which word means "not interested" (not involved/not biased)?
(a) uninterested
(b) disinterested
(c) ininterested
(d) misinterested
Answer: (a) uninterested
Explanation: "Uninterested" = not interested; "disinterested" = unbiased/neutral।
Q35. Choose the correct homophone: "She went to the ___ to pray."
(a) alter
(b) altar
(c) altter
(d) altier
Answer: (b) altar
Explanation: "Altar" = বেদী (place of worship); "alter" = পরিবর্তন করা।
9. Fill in the Blanks
1. The noise ___ (affect/effect) his concentration greatly.
Answer: affected
ব্যাখ্যা: affect = verb (প্রভাবিত করা)।
2. She is a woman of strong moral ___ (principal/principle).
Answer: principles
ব্যাখ্যা: principle = নীতি (noun)।
3. Please ___ (assure/ensure/insure) the documents are filed correctly.
Answer: ensure
ব্যাখ্যা: ensure = নিশ্চিত করা।
4. The car has been ___ (stationary/stationery) for three days.
Answer: stationary
ব্যাখ্যা: stationary = স্থির (adj)।
5. He ___ (emigrated/immigrated) from Pakistan to Bangladesh in 1990.
Answer: immigrated
ব্যাখ্যা: immigrate TO a country (arrive)।
6. ___ (Fewer/Less) time is needed with the new software.
Answer: Less
ব্যাখ্যা: time = uncountable → less।
7. She ___ (implied/inferred) that she was unhappy with the result.
Answer: implied
ব্যাখ্যা: Speaker implies (hints); listener infers।
8. The ___ (principal/principle) cause of failure was lack of preparation.
Answer: principal
ব্যাখ্যা: principal = main/chief (adj)।
9. ___ (Their/There/They're) house is near the school.
Answer: Their
ব্যাখ্যা: possession → their।
10. The city ___ (council/counsel) approved the new park project.
Answer: council
ব্যাখ্যা: council = পরিষদ; counsel = পরামর্শ।
11. He is ___ (famous/notorious) for his charitable work.
Answer: famous
ব্যাখ্যা: famous = positive; notorious = negative।
12. Please ___ (complement/compliment) the document with the required annexures.
Answer: complement
ব্যাখ্যা: complement = পরিপূরক করা।
13. The company ___ (comprises/is comprised of) five divisions.
Answer: comprises
ব্যাখ্যা: comprise does not take "of"।
14. She was ___ (disinterested/uninterested) in the case — she had no bias.
Answer: disinterested
ব্যাখ্যা: disinterested = unbiased।
15. The signing of the treaty was a ___ (historic/historical) moment.
Answer: historic
ব্যাখ্যা: historic = historically significant event।
16. He ___ (lay/laid) the papers on the desk before leaving.
Answer: laid
ব্যাখ্যা: lay (V1 = place) → laid (V2)।
17. "___ (Its/It's) raining outside — don't forget your umbrella."
Answer: It's
ব্যাখ্যা: It's = It + is।
18. ___ (Fewer/Less) students failed this year than last year.
Answer: Fewer
ব্যাখ্যা: students = countable → fewer।
19. The doctor ___ (advised/adviced) him to rest for two weeks.
Answer: advised
ব্যাখ্যা: advise = verb; advice = noun।
20. She gave him a beautiful ___ (complement/compliment) before the interview.
Answer: compliment
ব্যাখ্যা: compliment = প্রশংসা।
21. The drought had a severe ___ (affect/effect) on agriculture.
Answer: effect
ব্যাখ্যা: effect = noun (প্রভাব)।
22. Please sit ___ (beside/besides) me during the meeting.
Answer: beside
ব্যাখ্যা: beside = পাশে; besides = এছাড়াও।
23. The patient has been ___ (continually/continuously) monitored for 48 hours.
Answer: continuously
ব্যাখ্যা: continuously = একটানা (without break)।
24. She refused to ___ (accept/except) the bribe.
Answer: accept
ব্যাখ্যা: accept = গ্রহণ করা; except = ছাড়া।
25. The flooding had a ___ (discreet/discrete) impact on each of the three regions separately.
Answer: discrete
ব্যাখ্যা: discrete = পৃথক (separate); discreet = বিচক্ষণ।
10. Error Detection
নিচের বাক্যগুলোতে confused words বা homophones-এর ভুল ব্যবহার রয়েছে।
1. The medicine had no affect on the patient.
Error: affect → effect → Correction: The medicine had no effect on the patient.
"Effect" = noun (প্রভাব); "affect" = verb।
2. The principle teacher gave a speech at the assembly.
Error: principle → principal → Correction: The principal teacher gave a speech.
"Principal" = প্রধান (adj); "principle" = নীতি।
3. She went to the stationary shop to buy envelopes.
Error: stationary → stationery → Correction: She went to the stationery shop.
"Stationery" = লেখার সামগ্রী; "stationary" = স্থির।
4. He complemented her on her excellent performance.
Error: complemented → complimented → Correction: He complimented her on her excellent performance.
"Compliment" = প্রশংসা; "complement" = পরিপূরক।
5. Their going to announce the results tomorrow.
Error: Their → They're → Correction: They're going to announce the results tomorrow.
"They're" = They + are; "Their" = তাদের।
6. She immigrated from France to work abroad.
Error: immigrated from → emigrated from → Correction: She emigrated from France to work abroad.
"Emigrate from" = দেশ ছেড়ে যাওয়া।
7. The team is comprised of twelve members.
Error: is comprised of → comprises → Correction: The team comprises twelve members.
"Comprise" does not take "of"।
8. He alluded the police for three days.
Error: alluded → eluded → Correction: He eluded the police for three days.
"Elude" = এড়িয়ে যাওয়া; "allude" = পরোক্ষে উল্লেখ।
9. Less students are enrolling in science courses.
Error: Less → Fewer → Correction: Fewer students are enrolling.
"Students" = countable → fewer।
10. The judge was uninterested in the case — he had no personal stake.
Error: uninterested → disinterested → Correction: The judge was disinterested.
"Disinterested" = নিরপেক্ষ; "uninterested" = অনাগ্রহী।
11. She lied the book carefully on the shelf.
Error: lied → laid → Correction: She laid the book carefully on the shelf.
"Lay" (to place) V2 = "laid"; "lie" V2 = "lay"।
12. His speech made an illusion to the Prime Minister's earlier promise.
Error: illusion → allusion → Correction: His speech made an allusion to the promise.
"Allusion" = পরোক্ষ উল্লেখ; "illusion" = বিভ্রম।
13. The historic novel was set in ancient Rome.
Error: historic → historical → Correction: The historical novel was set in ancient Rome.
"Historical" = ইতিহাস-সংক্রান্ত (related to history); "historic" = historically significant।
14. Please advice me on the best course of action.
Error: advice → advise → Correction: Please advise me on the best course.
"Advise" = verb; "advice" = noun।
15. Its a beautiful morning today.
Error: Its → It's → Correction: It's a beautiful morning today.
"It's" = It + is; "its" = এর (possessive)।
16. She inferred from her tone that she was unhappy. (She is the speaker)
Error: inferred → implied (if she is the speaker) → Correction: She implied from her tone that she was unhappy.
"Imply" = speaker hints; "infer" = listener deduces।
17. The principle obstacle is lack of funding.
Error: principle → principal → Correction: The principal obstacle is lack of funding.
"Principal" (adj) = প্রধান; "principle" (noun) = নীতি।
18. He was notorious for his charitable contributions.
Error: notorious → famous → Correction: He was famous for his charitable contributions.
"Notorious" = কুখ্যাত (bad); "famous" = বিখ্যাত (good)।
19. The road was very tortuous — it caused immense pain to the travellers.
Error: tortuous → torturous → Correction: The journey was torturous.
"Torturous" = যন্ত্রণাদায়ক; "tortuous" = আঁকাবাঁকা।
20. She assured that the project would be completed on time.
Error: assured that → ensured that → Correction: She ensured that the project would be completed.
"Ensure" = নিশ্চিত করা (event); "assure" = আশ্বস্ত করা (person)।
11. Master Summary, Tips & Traps
✔ EXAM TIP |
TIP 1 — affect/effect: "A" for Action (affect = verb); "E" for End-result (effect = noun)। "The drug affected her. / The drug had an effect." TIP 2 — principal/principle: "principAL" — your pAL is the principal; "principlE" — a principlE is a rulE। TIP 3 — stationary/stationery: "stationEry" has E for Envelopes; "stationAry" — stAying still। TIP 4 — their/there/they're: "their" = possession; "there" = place; "they're" = they are। TIP 5 — fewer/less: "Fewer" + Countable nouns; "Less" + Uncountable nouns। TIP 6 — imply/infer: Speaker implies (hints); Listener infers (deduces)। TIP 7 — emigrate/immigrate: "Emigrate FROM" (leave); "Immigrate TO" (arrive)। TIP 8 — comprise: "Comprise" does NOT take "of" — "comprises ten members" (NOT "comprised of")। TIP 9 — famous/notorious: "Famous" = positive (good deeds); "notorious" = negative (bad deeds)। TIP 10 — disinterested/uninterested: "Disinterested" = unbiased/neutral; "uninterested" = not interested। TIP 11 — compliment/complement: "complIment" = praise (I like compliments); "complEment" = complEte। TIP 12 — lie/lay: "Lie" (intrans.) = শোওয়া; "lay" (trans.) = শোয়ানো। Lie-lay-lain; Lay-laid-laid। |
✘ TRAP / WARNING |
TRAP 1: "The medicine had no affect" → wrong. "effect" (noun) → correct। TRAP 2: "comprised of" → widely considered wrong. Use "comprises" or "composed of"। TRAP 3: "Less students" → wrong. "Fewer students" → correct। TRAP 4: "She inferred (as speaker)" → wrong. Speakers imply, listeners infer। TRAP 5: "Its raining" → wrong. "It's raining" → correct (It + is)। TRAP 6: "He complemented her" (wanted to say "praised") → wrong. "complimented" → correct। TRAP 7: "She immigrated from France" → wrong. "emigrated from France" → correct। TRAP 8: "notorious for charity" → wrong. "famous for charity" → correct। |
Quick Memory Tips — শব্দ মনে রাখার সহজ কৌশল
Word Pair | Memory Trick / Mnemonic |
affect (v) / effect (n) | A is for Action (affect); E is for End-result (effect) |
principal / principle | princIpAL = your pAL; principlE = a rulE |
stationary / stationery | stationEry = Envelopes and pens; stationAry = stAy still |
complement / compliment | complEment = complEtes; complIment = I like it |
their / there / they're | their = belongs to THEM; there = hERE and tHERE; they're = they ARE |
its / it's | it's = it IS (apostrophe = missing letter); its = no apostrophe = possessive |
emigrate / immigrate | Emigrate = Exit a country; Immigrate = Enter a country |
imply / infer | Speaker implies; listener infers (Speaker → I → implies) |
disinterested / uninterested | Dis = neutral judge; Un = bored teenager |
fewer / less | Fewer = Fingers (countable); Less = liquid (uncountable) |
historic / historical | Historic = will be IN history books; historical = FROM history |
allusion / illusion | Allusion = reference; Illusion = magic trick |
council / counsel | couNCIL = body of peoplE; couNSEL = advice |
continual / continuous | Continual = keeps coming BACK; Continuous = never stops |
oral / verbal | Oral = by MOUTH ONLY; Verbal = by WORDS (spoken or written) |