Confused words in English

1. Collaborate vs. Corroborate

"To collaborate" means to cooperate on some undertaking.

- to collaborate /kəˈlæb.ə.reɪt/ (v): hợp tác, kết hợp, phối hợp, cộng tác

Example: The successful candidate must be able to work collaboratively with other members of the staff.

"To corroborate" something means to back up its reliability with proof or evidence.

- to corroborate /kəˈrɑː.bə.reɪt/ (v): làm chứng, chứng thực

Example: Recent research seems to corroborate his theory.

2. Cite vs. site

The verb "cite" comes from the noun "citation" /saɪˈteɪ.ʃən/. To cite is to refer to a source of information.

- to cite /saɪt/ (v): dẫn, trích dẫn, đòi ra tòa

Example: Anyone who wishes to make a convincing argument must be able to cite authoritative evidence.

The noun "site" means location, meanwhile the verb "site" means to exist or to be built in a particular place.

- site /saɪt/ (v): định, đặt vị trí

Example: We visited the site of a Bronze Age fort.

3. Voluminous vs. Compendious

"Compendious" means "concise", "abridged".

- compendious /kəmˈpen.di.əs/ (adj): hàm súc, cô đọng

Example: The publishing house worked fifteen years to produce a compendious edition of the writings of Sir Conan Doyle.

"Voluminous" literally means "occupying many volumes", most commonly means "vast" or "extremely lengthy."

- voluminous /vəˈluː.mə.nəs/ (adj): gồm nhiều tập

Example: Her voluminous silk dress billowed out behind her.

4. Estimate vs. Guess

"To estimate" is to judge the extent, nature, or value of something, with the implication that the result is based on expertise.

- estimate /ˈes.tə.meɪt/ (v): ước/áng chừng, ước lượng, đánh giá

Example: Government sources estimate a long-term 50 percent increase in rail fares.

"To guess" is to believe or suppose, to form an opinion/ based on little or no evidence, or to be correct by chance or conjecture /kənˈdʒek.tʃər/ (n): phỏng đoán.

- guess /ɡes/ (v): đoán, dự đoán, phỏng đoán

Example: She guessed the answer on her first try.

5. Possible vs. Probable

Neither "possible" nor "probable" indicates certainty, but "probable" suggests a likelihood that is not present in possible.

- possible /ˈpɒs.ə.bəl/ (adj): có thể, có thể xảy ra

Example: A recent theory in quantum theory is that it is possible that consciousness continues to exist after the physical body dies.

- probable /ˈprɑː.bə.bəl/ (adj): chắc hẳn, có lẽ đúng

Example: The doctor said that the most probable cause of death was heart failure.

Source: Daily Writing Tips.