Similar Words Quiz: Practice Tricky English Word Pairs
This similar words quiz helps you practice English words that have related meanings but are not always interchangeable.
You will practice word pairs such as:
- between vs. among
- further vs. farther
- less vs. fewer
- may vs. might
- since vs. because
- like vs. as
- raise vs. rise
- imply vs. infer
- ensure vs. insure
- amount vs. number
Read each sentence carefully and choose the word that fits best. The answer key includes short explanations so you can review the rule behind each choice.
Similar words quiz at a glance
| Skill | What you practice | Example |
|---|---|---|
| meaning | choosing the more exact word | imply vs. infer |
| grammar | matching the word to the sentence | raise vs. rise |
| quantity | countable vs. uncountable nouns | fewer vs. less |
| context | choosing based on usage | since vs. because |
Quick rule:
- Do not choose only by “close meaning.”
- Ask what the sentence is really saying.
- Check whether the word needs an object, a countable noun, or a specific context.
Quiz instructions
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Try to finish the quiz before reading the answer key.
Similar words quiz
1. Between vs. among
The agreement was made _____ the two companies.
A. between B. among
2. Further vs. farther
The gas station is five miles _____ down the road.
A. further B. farther
3. Less vs. fewer
The recipe uses _____ ingredients than the original version.
A. less B. fewer
4. May vs. might
We _____ cancel the picnic if it rains.
A. may B. might
5. Since vs. because
_____ the file was missing, we could not complete the report.
A. Since B. Because
6. Like vs. as
Please complete the form _____ the instructions explain.
A. like B. as
7. Raise vs. rise
The company will _____ prices next month.
A. raise B. rise
8. Imply vs. infer
The speaker seemed to _____ that the policy would change.
A. imply B. infer
9. Ensure vs. insure
Please double-check the address to _____ delivery.
A. ensure B. insure
10. Amount vs. number
The _____ of emails increased after the announcement.
A. amount B. number
11. Can vs. may
_____ I ask a question?
A. Can B. May
12. Good vs. well
The team performed _____ under pressure.
A. good B. well
13. That vs. which
The laptop _____ has the blue case belongs to Maya.
A. that B. which
14. Active vs. passive voice
Which sentence is more direct?
A. The mistake was corrected by the editor. B. The editor corrected the mistake.
15. A vs. an
He is _____ honest person.
A. a B. an
Answer key with explanations
1. Between
Correct: The agreement was made between the two companies.
Use between for separate relationships, especially when there are two people or things.
2. Farther
Correct: The gas station is five miles farther down the road.
Use farther for physical distance. Use further for more progress, discussion, or development.
3. Fewer
Correct: The recipe uses fewer ingredients than the original version.
Use fewer with countable plural nouns. Ingredients can be counted.
4. Might
Best answer: We might cancel the picnic if it rains.
Both may and might can show possibility, but might often sounds more uncertain.
5. Because
Correct: Because the file was missing, we could not complete the report.
Use because when you want to show a clear reason. Since can mean because, but it can also suggest time.
6. As
Correct: Please complete the form as the instructions explain.
Use as before a clause with a subject and verb.
7. Raise
Correct: The company will raise prices next month.
Raise means to lift or increase something. It takes an object. Rise means to go up by itself.
8. Imply
Correct: The speaker seemed to imply that the policy would change.
The speaker implies. The listener infers.
9. Ensure
Correct: Please double-check the address to ensure delivery.
Ensure means to make sure. Insure usually means to provide insurance.
10. Number
Correct: The number of emails increased after the announcement.
Use number with countable plural nouns. Emails can be counted.
11. May
Correct: May I ask a question?
Use may for polite permission. Can is common in casual speech, but may is more formal.
12. Well
Correct: The team performed well under pressure.
Use well to describe an action. Good usually describes a noun.
13. That
Correct: The laptop that has the blue case belongs to Maya.
Use that for essential information. It tells us which laptop.
14. The editor corrected the mistake
Correct: The editor corrected the mistake.
This sentence is active and direct because the subject performs the action.
15. An
Correct: He is an honest person.
Use an before a vowel sound. The h in honest is silent.
Score guide
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 13–15 correct | Excellent similar-word control |
| 10–12 correct | Good, with a few pairs to review |
| 7–9 correct | Keep practicing common usage choices |
| 0–6 correct | Review the explanations and try again |
Similar words are tricky because they often feel close in meaning. The sentence context decides the best answer.
Common mistakes to watch for
Mistake 1: Treating similar words as synonyms
Words like imply and infer are related, but they describe different sides of communication.
Mistake 2: Ignoring countable nouns
Use fewer and number with things you can count.
Examples:
- fewer books
- number of students
Mistake 3: Using raise and rise the same way
Raise needs an object.
- The company raised prices.
Rise does not need an object.
- Prices rose.
Mistake 4: Forgetting tone and formality
Some choices depend on formality. May I sounds more polite than Can I in formal situations.
Mistake 5: Choosing the first word that sounds natural
Slow down and check the meaning. A word can sound familiar but still be wrong for the sentence.
How to improve your score
Use this practice method:
- Write the word pair you missed.
- Write one short definition for each word.
- Create one sentence for each word.
- Read both sentences out loud.
- Try the quiz again later.
Example:
- Imply: The writer implies a hidden meaning.
- Infer: The reader infers a hidden meaning.
Short examples make the difference easier to remember.
Quick quiz
Try these five extra similar-word questions.
- The price will _____ next year.
- We need _____ chairs for the meeting.
- The article will _____ more research.
- Please _____ that the door is locked.
- The conversation went _____ than expected.
Answers:
- rise
- fewer
- require
- ensure
- further
FAQ
What are similar words in English?
Similar words are words with related meanings or similar usage patterns that are easy to mix up.
What is an example of similar words?
Examples include between/among, further/farther, less/fewer, raise/rise, and imply/infer.
Why are similar words hard to learn?
They are hard because both words may feel close in meaning, but only one fits the sentence clearly.
How can I practice similar words?
Practice with short sentences, compare meanings, and quiz yourself on one pair at a time.
Is this quiz good for students?
Yes. It is useful for students, English learners, writers, and professionals who want clearer word choice.
Should I memorize rules or examples?
Use both. Rules help you understand the difference, and examples help you remember it.
If any question felt difficult, review the individual guides for Grammar and Usage Quiz and Homophones Quiz, then come back to the practice test. For a wider set of examples in this topic, use the Quizzes & Practice archive as the category grows.
Final tip
When two words seem similar, do not ask only, “Do they mean almost the same thing?”
Ask:
- What does this sentence need?
- Is the noun countable?
- Does the verb need an object?
- Is the meaning physical, abstract, formal, or casual?
The best word is the one that fits the meaning, grammar, and tone of the sentence.