Tricky Sixth Grade Word Pairs: Tricky Word Pairs, List 1

Learn the correct meanings and usages of these commonly confused words for sixth-grade students.
10 words 215 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. alter
    cause to change; make different
    Auntie Harrigan had altered her hair again; this time it was dyed bright red and cut super short and spiky. The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
    To see more usage examples of "alter," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "alter" and "altar," click here.
  2. altar
    the table in Christian churches where communion is given
    I would take the Bible with me to the church, and some flowers for the altar in spring and summer. Z for Zachariah
    To see more usage examples of "altar," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "alter" and "altar," click here.
  3. assume
    take to be the case or to be true
    Frank didn’t want to assume that Conor had taken Jason’s mitt. The Missing Mitt (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #2)
    To see more usage examples of "assume," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "assume" and "presume," click here.
  4. presume
    take liberties or act with too much confidence
    I did not want to presume too much, did not want to offend her or embarrass myself. The Name of the Wind
    To see more usage examples of "presume," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "assume" and "presume," click here.
  5. base
    the bottom or lowest part
    Naomi stepped off of the path, leaned against the smooth trunk of an ash tree, and slid down to sit at its base. Out of Darkness
    To see more usage examples of "base," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "base" and "bass," click here.
  6. bass
    the lowest adult male singing voice
    “Tenors are higher than basses,” she says, “which is easy to remember because basses are in the basement.” Muffled
    To see more usage examples of "bass," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "base" and "bass," click here.
  7. bazaar
    a street of small shops, especially in the Middle East
    The bazaar is the best place we've gone so far—a narrow street with fruits and vegetables and all sorts of other food stalls on either side. Born Behind Bars
    To see more usage examples of "bazaar," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "bazaar" and "bizarre," click here.
  8. bizarre
    conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
    I was dreaming something bizarre and twisted, but I couldn’t wake up. Summer of the Mariposas
    To see more usage examples of "bizarre," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "bazaar" and "bizarre," click here.
  9. compose
    form the substance of
    Down the street lives an aspiring rock band composed of four middle schoolers. Wishtree
    To see more usage examples of "compose," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "compose" and "comprise," click here.
  10. comprise
    include or contain
    The attic comprised the entire third floor, the floor above where the family lived in Daffodil Manor. Ophie's Ghosts
    To see more usage examples of "comprise," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "compose" and "comprise," click here.
Created on Mon Jun 02 10:19:05 EDT 2025

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