Commonly Confused Words, Grade 8: List 3

Learn the correct meanings and usages of these commonly confused words for eighth-grade students.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. border
    the boundary line or area immediately inside the boundary
    The fact is that I no longer want to leave, escape, cross the border to freedom. The Handmaid's Tale
    To see more usage examples of "border," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "border" and "boarder," click here.
  2. boarder
    a tenant in someone’s house who typically receives meals
    Then the house had six boarders at five dollars a head. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
    To see more usage examples of "boarder," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "border" and "boarder," click here.
  3. cereal
    a breakfast food prepared from grain
    Frank was at the kitchen table eating Rice Puffs, his favorite cereal. The Missing Mitt (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #2)
    To see more usage examples of "cereal," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "cereal" and "serial," click here.
  4. serial
    pertaining to or occurring in or producing a series
    Was there such a thing as a serial acid thrower? Burning Blue
    To see more usage examples of "serial," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "cereal" and "serial," click here.
  5. continual
    occurring without interruption
    For a while there was the continual creak and rustle of leaves as they tried for comfort. Lord of the Flies
    To see more usage examples of "continual," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "continual" and "continuous," click here.
  6. continuous
    moving in time or space without interruption
    My mother said that after the accident, Poppy was in continuous pain. October Sky
    To see more usage examples of "continuous," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "continual" and "continuous," click here.
  7. dual
    consisting of two parts or components, usually in pairs
    It tries to function as both spoon and fork, and because of this dual nature, it fails miserably at both. Salon
    To see more usage examples of "dual," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "dual" and "duel," click here.
  8. duel
    a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people
    Then Richard says, “Are you ready to fight a duel yet?” Blood on the River
    To see more usage examples of "duel," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "dual" and "duel," click here.
  9. formerly
    at a previous time
    They walk a short way down an adjoining passageway, layers of mud sticking to Bailey’s formerly shiny shoes. The Night Circus
    To see more usage examples of "formerly," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "formerly" and "formally," click here.
  10. formally
    in accord with established conventions and requirements
    “The president of the United States would like to formally request the state box for this evening—if it is available,” the note reads. Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever
    To see more usage examples of "formally," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "formerly" and "formally," click here.
  11. personal
    concerning an individual or his or her private life
    “Hand over all your notebooks, your address books, your checkbooks, and all your personal documents!” shouted the man who seemed to be in charge. The House of the Spirits: A Novel
    To see more usage examples of "personal," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "personal" and "personnel," click here.
  12. personnel
    group of people willing to obey orders
    Women of other countries served in World War I as nurses, ambulance drivers, and communications personnel. A Thousand Sisters
    To see more usage examples of "personnel," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "personal" and "personnel," click here.
Created on Wed Feb 28 16:28:48 EST 2024 (updated Mon Mar 04 09:30:14 EST 2024)

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