Commonly confused words

Two words that get mixed up, set side by side — which to use, and why. The short answer first, then both animated scenes, example sentences and a quick FAQ.

• adaptvsadept

  Adapt means to change yourself to suit new conditions; adept means highly skilled at something. They are one letter apart and sound almost the same, but adapt is about changing to fit, while adept is about already doing a thing expertly.

• eminentvsimminent

  Eminent describes a person who is distinguished and respected; imminent describes an event that is about to happen at any moment. They look and sound almost identical, but eminent is about who someone is, and imminent is about when something will occur.