Tricky Sixth Grade Word Pairs: Tricky Word Pairs, List 4

Learn the correct meanings and usages of these commonly confused words for sixth-grade students.
10 words 39 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. metaphor
    a figure of speech that suggests a non-literal similarity
    So grass is a metaphor for life, and for death, and for equality, and for connectedness, and for children, and for God, and for hope. Paper Towns
    To see more usage examples of "metaphor," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "metaphor" and "simile," click here.
  2. simile
    a figure of speech expressing a resemblance between things
    “It’s a simile. I didn’t say you were a goat, I said you smell like a goat. Didn’t you learn anything in English class?” Summer of the Mariposas
    To see more usage examples of "simile," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "metaphor" and "simile," click here.
  3. naval
    connected with an organization of military vessels
    On December 7, 1941, the Axis power Japan surprised the United States with an air attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor in the territory of Hawaii. A Thousand Sisters
    To see more usage examples of "naval," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "naval" and "navel," click here.
  4. navel
    a scar where the umbilical cord was attached
    “I’m going to grow a beard down to my navel.” Six of Crows
    To see more usage examples of "navel," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "naval" and "navel," click here.
  5. quote
    repeat a passage from
    Then, maybe because I’m English, I don’t know, he quoted Winston Churchill: ‘If you’re going through hell, keep going. ’ I'll Give You the Sun
    To see more usage examples of "quote," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "quote" and "quotation," click here.
  6. quotation
    a passage or expression that is cited
    The quote book happened to be turned to a page of Shakespeare quotations. The Fault in Our Stars
    To see more usage examples of "quotation," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "quote" and "quotation," click here.
  7. alternate
    do something in turns
    We’re in the air, and I alternate between closing my eyes and opening them. Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish
    To see more usage examples of "alternate," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "alternate" and "alternative," click here.
  8. alternative
    one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen
    I guess she felt she had no alternative but to trust them—what else could she do? How Dare the Sun Rise
    To see more usage examples of "alternative," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "alternate" and "alternative," click here.
  9. concurrent
    occurring or operating at the same time
    With a remote control in his hand, he watched all three concurrent news programs every night, raising the volume on any war coverage. Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam
    To see more usage examples of "concurrent," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "concurrent" and "consecutive," click here.
  10. consecutive
    one after the other
    Everyone was telling me I could make history by winning Worlds a third consecutive time. Courage to Soar
    To see more usage examples of "consecutive," click here.
    To learn more about the commonly confused words "concurrent" and "consecutive," click here.
Created on Mon Jun 02 10:21:49 EDT 2025

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