Tricky Sixth Grade Word Pairs: Tricky Word Pairs, List 2

Learn the correct meanings and usages of these commonly confused words for sixth-grade students.
10 words 34 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. conscious
    having awareness of surroundings and sensations and thoughts
    If he lives and becomes conscious again—should I ask him about it? Z for Zachariah
    To see more usage examples of "conscious," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "conscious" and "conscience," click here.
  2. conscience
    motivation deriving from ethical or moral principles
    My sisterly conscience kicks in and I’m suddenly wishing I could take back my words. Dry
    To see more usage examples of "conscience," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "conscious" and "conscience," click here.
  3. council
    a meeting of people for consultation
    The meeting was like a war council with donuts. The Mark of Athena
    To see more usage examples of "council," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "council" and "counsel," click here.
  4. counsel
    give advice to
    It was better, they counseled, to stay put with friends and family and the familiar life of the sunny South. A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919
    To see more usage examples of "counsel," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "council" and "counsel," click here.
  5. homonym
    a word pronounced or spelled the same with another meaning
    How and when did you arrive at the title “Just Us,” which of course is also a homonym for “justice”? Los Angeles Times
    To see more usage examples of "homonym," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "homonym," "homophone" and "homograph," click here.
  6. homophone
    a word pronounced the same with another meaning or spelling
    As you may remember from grade school, homophones are words that are pronounced the same way but ultimately have different meanings, and often, different spellings, like “be” and “bee” or “none” and “nun.” Salon
    To see more usage examples of "homophone," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "homonym," "homophone" and "homograph," click here.
  7. homograph
    one of two words spelled the same way that differ in meaning
    Words alike only in spelling but not in sound, e.g. “bow,” are sometimes called homographs; and words alike only in sound but not in spelling, e.g. “meat,” “meet,” homophones. Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13
    To see more usage examples of "homograph," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "homonym," "homophone" and "homograph," click here.
  8. intense
    displaying strong feeling, seriousness, or earnestness
    I felt such intense pride at that point, not as an African, but as a Xhosa; I felt like one of the chosen people. Long Walk to Freedom
    To see more usage examples of "intense," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "intense," "intensive" and "intent," click here.
  9. intensive
    characterized by a heightened level or degree
    The intensive press coverage of his mission and his arrival in Toronto had generated thousands of tips, all useless. The Devil in the White City
    To see more usage examples of "intensive," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "intense," "intensive" and "intent," click here.
  10. intent
    an anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions
    Briony suspected that behind her older cousin’s perfect manners was a destructive intent. Atonement
    To see more usage examples of "intent," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "intense," "intensive" and "intent," click here.
Created on Mon Jun 02 10:19:37 EDT 2025 (updated Mon Jun 02 10:20:02 EDT 2025)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.