Everyday Words Often Misused: Civil Service Exam Guide

Everyday English words may seem simple, but many are frequently misused—even by advanced speakers. For the Civil Service Exam, these mistakes can be costly, especially in sentence correction, vocabulary, and reading comprehension sections. Examiners often test subtle differences in meaning, usage, and grammar rather than rare or difficult words.

This guide focuses on commonly misused everyday words, explains their correct meanings, highlights typical errors, and provides clear examples. Mastering these distinctions will improve both your accuracy and confidence in the exam.

Why Everyday Word Usage Matters in the Civil Service Exam

Many examinees assume that basic words are “safe.” In reality, test writers intentionally use familiar vocabulary to check precision of thought and language discipline.

Common reasons everyday words appear on the exam include:

• They reveal misunderstandings in logic or grammar

• They test context-based comprehension

• They distinguish formal from informal usage

• They expose confusion between similar-looking or similar-sounding words

Understanding correct usage is not about memorization—it is about clarity and accuracy.

Affect vs. Effect

This is one of the most frequently tested word pairs.

Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence.
Effect is usually a noun meaning a result.

Correct usage:

• The new policy will affect employee morale.

• The policy had a positive effect on productivity.

Common mistake:

• ❌ The policy will effect morale.

• ❌ The policy had an affect on morale.

Exam tip:
If you can replace the word with influence, use affect. If you can replace it with result, use effect.

Fewer vs. Less

This distinction tests grammatical precision.

Fewer is used for countable nouns.
Less is used for uncountable nouns.

Correct usage:

• Fewer applicants applied this year.

• There is less traffic today.

Common mistake:

• ❌ Less people attended the meeting.

• ❌ Fewer information was provided.

Exam tip:
If you can count it individually, use fewer.

Amount vs. Number

Closely related to fewer vs. less.

Amount refers to uncountable quantities.
Number refers to countable items.

Correct usage:

• A large amount of water was wasted.

• A large number of errors were found.

Common mistake:

• ❌ The amount of employees increased.

• ❌ The number of money spent was high.

Between vs. Among

These words test spatial and logical relationships.

Between is used for two distinct entities.
Among is used for three or more.

Correct usage:

• The agreement is between the two departments.

• She was popular among her colleagues.

Common mistake:

• ❌ Negotiations among the two parties continued.

• ❌ The secret was shared between the group.

Advanced note:
“Between” can be used with more than two items if they are clearly defined and separate, but exam questions usually follow the strict rule.

Its vs. It’s

This tests attention to apostrophes.

Its = possessive form
It’s = it is or it has

Correct usage:

• The company updated its policies.

• It’s important to read instructions carefully.

Common mistake:

• ❌ The organization changed it’s structure.

• ❌ Its been a long process.

Exam tip:
If you can replace it with it is, use it’s.

Then vs. Than

These words are often confused due to pronunciation.

Then relates to time or sequence.
Than is used for comparison.

Correct usage:

• Finish the report, then submit it.

• This solution is better than the previous one.

Common mistake:

• ❌ She is more qualified then him.

• ❌ We will review the data than decide.

Lay vs. Lie

This pair frequently appears in grammar questions.

Lay requires a direct object (something is being placed).
Lie does not take an object (to recline).

Correct usage:

• Please lay the documents on the desk.

• He will lie down after work.

Past tense confusion:

• Lay (past of lie): He lay on the couch yesterday.

• Laid (past of lay): She laid the files on the table.

Common mistake:

• ❌ I will lie the book on the desk.

Who vs. Whom

This tests understanding of grammatical roles.

Who is used as a subject.
Whom is used as an object.

Correct usage:

• Who is responsible for this report?

• To whom should the letter be addressed?

Simple test:
Replace the word with he or him.

• If he fits, use who.

• If him fits, use whom.

Literally

This word is often misused for emphasis.

Literally means in a factual, exact sense.

Correct usage:

• The instructions were literally impossible to follow.

Incorrect (common but informal):

• ❌ I was literally dying of laughter.

Exam expectation:
The Civil Service Exam follows formal, literal definitions, not casual usage.

Unique

Unique means one of a kind. It is absolute.

Correct usage:

• Each fingerprint is unique.

Common mistake:

• ❌ Very unique

• ❌ More unique than others

Exam rule:
Avoid degrees of comparison with absolute words.

Principle vs. Principal

These words sound similar but differ in meaning.

Principle = a rule or belief
Principal = a main authority or primary element

Correct usage:

• Integrity is a core principle of public service.

• The principal approved the proposal.

Memory trick:
“Principal” often refers to a person or main thing.

Accept vs. Except

This pair tests attention to spelling and meaning.

Accept = to receive or agree
Except = to exclude

Correct usage:

• She accepted the position.

• Everyone attended except John.

Common mistake:

• ❌ Please except my apology.

Compliment vs. Complement

Frequently confused in writing.

Compliment = praise
Complement = something that completes or enhances

Correct usage:

• The supervisor gave a compliment.

• The skills complement each other.

Imply vs. Infer

This pair tests logical reasoning.

Imply = to suggest indirectly (speaker)
Infer = to conclude from evidence (listener)

Correct usage:

• The memo implied dissatisfaction.

• We inferred the outcome from the data.

Common mistake:

• ❌ The report inferred misconduct.

Advice vs. Advise

This tests noun vs. verb recognition.

Advice = noun
Advise = verb

Correct usage:

• She gave helpful advice.

• He advised caution.

Common mistake:

• ❌ She adviced him well.

Conclusion: How to Master Misused Words for the Exam

Success in the Civil Service Exam depends on precision, not complexity. Everyday words are powerful tools—and dangerous traps—when misunderstood.

Study strategy:

• Focus on context-based usage

• Practice identifying word function (noun, verb, adjective)

• Read sentences carefully before choosing answers

• Eliminate options that sound casual or informal

By mastering commonly misused everyday words, you demonstrate the clarity, discipline, and professionalism expected of a civil servant.

Accuracy in language reflects accuracy in thinking—and that is exactly what the exam is designed to measure.