Kim lies down to take a nap every day at 3:30 p.m. Lie is a verb meaning to recline or rest on a surface. While the student didn’t see how studying affected his test-taking, the positive effects soon became clear. EffectĪffect is a verb meaning to influence. Here are what we consider to be the top ten most confusing word pairs, organized in alphabetical order: Affect vs. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it should hopefully help you begin to recognize the particular differences between different words. In this handout we have provided some of the most commonly confused word pairs, with definitions for each and sentences showing them in context. Knowing the difference between these similar words can be very tricky. Use language that respects disabled people as active individuals with control over their own lives.Some words look the same, while others sound the same. Words to use and avoidĪvoid passive, victim words. An impairment may just mean that some things are done in a different way.Ĭommon phrases that may associate impairments with negative things should be avoided, for example ‘deaf to our pleas’ or ‘blind drunk’.

People who use wheelchairs ‘go for walks’ and people with visual impairments may be very pleased – or not – ‘to see you’. Most disabled people are comfortable with the words used to describe daily living. Wheelchair users may not view themselves as ‘confined to’ a wheelchair – try thinking of it as a mobility aid instead. 1.2 Positive not negativeĪvoid phrases like ‘suffers from’ which suggest discomfort, constant pain and a sense of hopelessness.

Consider using ‘people with health conditions or impairments’ if it seems more appropriate. They say little about people as individuals and tend to reinforce stereotypes of disabled people as ‘patients’ or unwell.ĭon’t automatically refer to ‘disabled people’ in all communications – many people who need disability benefits and services don’t identify with this term. However, many deaf people whose first language is BSL consider themselves part of ‘the deaf community’ – they may describe themselves as ‘Deaf’, with a capital D, to emphasise their deaf identity.Īvoid medical labels. Use ‘disabled people’ not ‘the disabled’ as the collective term. The word ‘disabled’ is a description not a group of people. Not everyone will agree on everything but there is general agreement on some basic guidelines. Consider these guidelines when communicating with or about disabled people.

Other words for not accept