How to Master Frequently Confused Words: Advice, Allowed, Break, and Bear

Khan Academy

This instructional video guides viewers through four sets of frequently confused words in the English language: advice/advise, aloud/allowed, break/brake, and bear/bare. Through a collaborative narration by David and Iman, the video breaks down the grammatical differences (such as noun versus verb forms) and spelling variations that distinguish these tricky pairings. Each set is accompanied by clear definitions, sentence examples, and visual demonstrations on a blackboard-style background. Key themes include homophones, parts of speech identification, and the use of mnemonic devices to aid memory. The video specifically highlights how slight changes in spelling—like the placement of the letter 'e' in 'break' versus 'brake'—can drastically alter a word's meaning. It also explores pronunciation nuances, such as the soft 's' in advice versus the 'z' sound in advise, helping students connect auditory cues to spelling rules. This video is a valuable resource for English Language Arts classrooms focusing on spelling, vocabulary, and writing mechanics. Teachers can use it to introduce these specific confusing words or as a remediation tool for students struggling with homophones in their writing. The explicit teaching of mnemonic strategies provides students with practical, metacognitive tools they can independently apply during writing and editing tasks.