Commonly Confused Words: Civil Service Exam Guide

Preparing for the Civil Service Exam (CSE) requires more than just memorizing vocabulary. One of the most common reasons examinees lose easy points—especially in English proficiency sections—is confusion between similar-looking or similar-sounding words. These commonly confused words often appear in sentence correction, error identification, reading comprehension, and even essay writing.

This guide is designed to help you clearly understand the most frequently confused English word pairs and groups that appear in the Civil Service Exam. Each section explains definitions, usage rules, examples, and exam-focused tips so you can avoid traps and answer confidently.

Why Commonly Confused Words Matter in the Civil Service Exam

In the CSE, examiners often test precision. Even if a sentence sounds “almost right,” a single misused word can make it grammatically incorrect or change its meaning entirely.

Commonly confused words are tested in:

• Grammar and Usage questions

• Sentence completion

• Error recognition

• Reading comprehension

• Essay writing (for professional-level exams)

Understanding these words improves not only your test score but also your overall written and spoken English—an essential skill for public service roles.

Affect vs Effect

Affect (verb)

• Means to influence something

Effect (noun)

• Means a result or outcome

Examples:

• The new policy will affect government employees.

• The policy had a positive effect on productivity.

Exam Tip:
If the word follows “the,” it is usually effect (a noun).

Accept vs Except

Accept (verb)

• To receive or agree to something

Except (preposition/conjunction)

• To exclude something

Examples:

• She accepted the promotion.

• Everyone passed the exam except one applicant.

Exam Tip:
If the meaning involves exclusion, the correct answer is except.

Advice vs Advise

Advice (noun)

• A recommendation or suggestion

Advise (verb)

• To give a recommendation

Examples:

• He gave me useful advice.

• I advise you to review grammar rules.

Exam Tip:
Words ending in -ice are often nouns; -ise / -ize forms are usually verbs.

Compliment vs Complement

Compliment (noun/verb)

• Praise

Complement (noun/verb)

• Something that completes or enhances

Examples:

• She received a compliment for her presentation.

• The skills complement each other well.

Exam Tip:
If praise is involved, choose compliment.

Principal vs Principle

Principal (noun/adjective)

• Head of an institution

• Main or most important

Principle (noun)

• A rule, belief, or fundamental truth

Examples:

• The principal addressed the staff.

• Honesty is a core principle of public service.

Exam Tip:
Think principal = main person or thing.

Its vs It’s

Its (possessive pronoun)

• Shows ownership

It’s (contraction)

• Means it is or it has

Examples:

• The agency updated its policy.

• It’s important to follow regulations.

Exam Tip:
If you can replace it with it is, then it’s is correct.

There vs Their vs They’re

There

• Refers to a place or existence

Their

• Possessive form of “they”

They’re

• Contraction of they are

Examples:

• The files are over there.

• Their reports were submitted.

• They’re attending the meeting.

Exam Tip:
Always expand contractions mentally during exams.

Then vs Than

Then

• Refers to time or sequence

Than

• Used in comparisons

Examples:

• Finish the report; then submit it.

• This process is faster than before.

Exam Tip:
If comparison is involved, than is correct.

Lose vs Loose

Lose (verb)

• To misplace or fail to win

Loose (adjective)

• Not tight

Examples:

• Do not lose official documents.

• The rules are too loose.

Exam Tip:
Lose has one “o” and relates to loss.

Fewer vs Less

Fewer

• Used with countable nouns

Less

• Used with uncountable nouns

Examples:

• Fewer applicants applied this year.

• There is less traffic today.

Exam Tip:
If you can count it, use fewer.

Amount vs Number

Amount

• Used with uncountable nouns

Number

• Used with countable nouns

Examples:

• A large amount of work remains.

• A small number of errors were found.

Exam Tip:
This pair often appears in sentence correction questions.

Who vs Whom

Who

• Subject of a sentence

Whom

• Object of a verb or preposition

Examples:

• Who is responsible for the report?

• To whom should the letter be addressed?

Exam Tip:
Replace with he or him. If him fits, use whom.

Between vs Among

Between

• Used for two items (sometimes more when individual relationships are emphasized)

Among

• Used for three or more as a group

Examples:

• The agreement is between the two agencies.

• Trust must exist among team members.

Exam Tip:
Look at whether the sentence focuses on individual or group relationships.

Ensure vs Insure vs Assure

Ensure

• To make certain

Insure

• To provide insurance

Assure

• To reassure a person

Examples:

• Please ensure compliance with rules.

• The building is insured.

• He assured the public of transparency.

Exam Tip:
Public service contexts usually use ensure.

Lay vs Lie

Lay (transitive verb)

• Requires an object

Lie (intransitive verb)

• Does not require an object

Examples:

• Lay the documents on the desk.

• The files lie on the desk.

Exam Tip:
If there is an object, use lay.

Imply vs Infer

Imply

• Speaker suggests something

Infer

• Listener understands or concludes

Examples:

• The memo implies a policy change.

• We can infer the meaning from context.

Exam Tip:
Writers imply; readers infer.

Everyday vs Every Day

Everyday (adjective)

• Ordinary or routine

Every day (adverb phrase)

• Each day

Examples:

• These are everyday tasks.

• Reports must be submitted every day.

Exam Tip:
If you can insert “single,” it should be every day.

Tips for Mastering Commonly Confused Words for the CSE

• Focus on context, not just memorization

• Read sentences slowly during the exam

• Identify whether the word functions as a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb

• Practice with sentence correction exercises

• Review mistakes and note patterns

Consistent exposure and practice will dramatically reduce careless errors.

Final Thoughts

Mastering commonly confused words is one of the highest-return strategies for the Civil Service Exam. These questions are not meant to be difficult—but they are designed to test attention to detail, clarity of thought, and proper usage of English.

By understanding definitions, recognizing patterns, and practicing regularly, you can turn these common traps into guaranteed points. Whether you are preparing for the Professional or Subprofessional level, strong command of these word pairs will give you a clear advantage.

Keep reviewing, keep practicing, and approach each question with confidence and precision.

Problem Set 1: Choose the Correct Word

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.

1. The new regulation will __________ the working hours of government employees.
   a) effect
   b) affect

2. All applicants were qualified __________ one who failed the interview.
   a) accept
   b) except

3. The manager gave helpful __________ to the new staff members.
   a) advise
   b) advice

4. The officer received a __________ for his honesty and dedication.
   a) complement
   b) compliment

5. The school __________ announced the new academic policy.
   a) principle
   b) principal

6. The department updated __________ guidelines last month.
   a) it’s
   b) its

7. __________ going to review the documents before submission.
   a) There
   b) Their
   c) They’re

8. The process is more efficient __________ the previous one.
   a) then
   b) than

9. Be careful not to __________ important records.
   a) loose
   b) lose

10. There are __________ errors in this report than before.
    a) less
    b) fewer

Problem Set 2: Sentence Correction

Each sentence contains an error related to commonly confused words.
Choose the correct replacement.

11. The amount of employees attending the seminar were limited.
    a) number
    b) amount

12. Who should the letter be addressed to?
    a) Who
    b) Whom

13. The agreement was signed among the two departments.
    a) among
    b) between

14. The supervisor assured that the policy will be implemented properly.
    a) insured
    b) ensured

15. Please lay down for a moment before continuing work.
    a) lay
    b) lie

Problem Set 3: Identify the Correct Sentence

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

a) Everyone must submit their reports every day.
b) Everyone must submit there reports everyday.

a) The memo implied a change in policy.
b) The memo inferred a change in policy.

a) Fewer time was given for the examination.
b) Less time was given for the examination.

a) The officer accepted the award with gratitude.
b) The officer excepted the award with gratitude.

a) It’s important that the agency follows its mission.
b) Its important that the agency follows it’s mission.

Problem Set 4: Context-Based Usage

Choose the word that best fits the context.

21. The speaker’s tone seemed to __________ dissatisfaction with the results.
    a) infer
    b) imply

22. The public servant followed ethical __________ at all times.
    a) principals
    b) principles

23. The files are placed over __________ near the cabinet.
    a) their
    b) there

24. The committee aims to __________ fairness in the selection process.
    a) insure
    b) ensure

25. These are __________ challenges faced by civil servants.
    a) every day
    b) everyday

Problem Set 5: Mixed Exam-Style Questions

26. The policy had a significant __________ on public transportation.
    a) affect
    b) effect

27. A small __________ of applicants passed the final screening.
    a) amount
    b) number

28. She does not know __________ will be in charge of the project.
    a) who
    b) whom

29. The documents __________ on the desk since yesterday.
    a) lay
    b) lie

30. The rules are too __________ and need stricter enforcement.
    a) lose
    b) loose

✅ Answer Key

Problem Set 1

1. b) affect

2. b) except

3. b) advice

4. b) compliment

5. b) principal

6. b) its

7. c) They’re

8. b) than

9. b) lose

10. b) fewer

Problem Set 2

11. a) number

12. b) Whom

13. b) between

14. b) ensured

15. b) lie

Problem Set 3

16. a)

17. a)

18. b)

19. a)

20. a)

Problem Set 4

21. b) imply

22. b) principles

23. b) there

24. b) ensure

25. b) everyday

Problem Set 5

26. b) effect

27. b) number

28. a) who

29. b) lie

30. b) loose

Civil Service Exam Philippines: Complete Preparation and Passing Guide