Apt, liable, and likely are words with similar meanings. They’re often exchanged for one another. The words, however, have their nuances.
word usage
Write Right: Among, Between
When are you supposed to use among or between? The answer lies in the number of people or things involved.
Write Right: Use, Usage, and Utilize
The words use, usage, and utilize suffer from a malady: they share common etymological roots. Those roots do not make the word synonyms; it only means that they are related in much the same way that cousins are related. The way to determining when to use one of the words is entirely dependent on their definitions and the surrounding context.
Write Right: Allusion versus Illusion
Allusion and illusion differ by only one vowel, but a single vowel is all it takes. The two words could not be more different from one another.
Write Right: So What?
“So” is a word commonly used to mean “very” or “really.” For example, “he was so late.” The word is a vague intensifier and should either be cut from the sentence or accompanied by an explanation.
Write Right: Emigrate versus Immigrate
“Emigrate” and “immigrate” sometimes are mistaken for one another. No wonder; the two words share a common theme and sound. They, however, do not bear the same meaning.