Words often confused and misused - 10

1.     Dose  and Doze

Dose   /dəʊs/         Prescribed amount of medication

The doctor increased the dose of pain killers as my pain

became unbearable.

             

Doze /dəʊz/                    Have a short sleep, especially during the day

As I was listening to the story, I dozed off.

2.     Draft, Draught and Drought

Draft /drɑːft/        sketch, outline or summary of plan/letter etc. / bank draft

I have finished the first draft of my story. I may have to make a few changes after reading it again.

Draught /drɑːft/   Current of air/an amount of liquid that you swallow at one time

The draught of cold air that blew into the room made her shiver.

After taking a draught of wine, she put the glass down.

Drought  /draʊt/            a long period of time when there is little or no rain

                                     

Many farmers left the village after the drought that year.

         

3.     Drown and Sink

Drown/draʊn/                to sink under water and die

When the Titanic sank in the sea, most of the people on board were drowned.

Sink/sɪŋk/                       Go beneath the surface of liquid

A log of wood will float on water, but a stone will sink.

4.     Dual and Duel

Dual /ˈdjuːəl/         things that have two similar aspects, parts, or functions

Earlier, sofas served a dual purpose – to sit on as well as, to sleep on.

Duel /ˈdjuːəl/ A fight between two parties

Shyam and Gopi entered into a duel. Their mother rushed in to separate them.

5.     Earn and Yearn  
        

Earn /ɜː(r)n/         win/ to receive money for work that you do

She doesn't earn much money, but she enjoys the work.

Yearn /jɜː(r)n/      to want something a lot, especially something 

that you know you may not be able to have

They were yearning to have a baby.