Elicit means to “obtain or receive” (e.g., a response, a reaction, or information), while illicit describes something as “prohibited,” “illegal,” or “socially unacceptable.” The two words are commonly confused because they are pronounced in the same way (i.e., they are homophones).
Elicit is a verb (e.g., “Teachers often elicit what students know about a topic before teaching it”).
Illicit is an adjective (e.g., “The police found boxes of illicit goods in the truck”).
Elicit vs illicit examples
Elicit in a sentence
Illicit in a sentence
His attempts to elicit a confession were unsuccessful.
He has a history of illicit activities such as drug dealing.
The joke elicited a few smiles from some of the guests.
The platform has been criticized for allowing users to post illicit content.
They were just crocodile tears, an attempt to elicit sympathy.
The Hollywood studios would go to great efforts to cover up the illicit romances of their stars.
Published on
September 23, 2024
by
Tom Challenger, BA
Revised on
May 6, 2025
The phrase be supposed to is commonly used in everyday language to express obligation, expectation, or intention. A frequent misspelling of this phrase is “be suppose to.”
If you think something “is supposed to happen,” you expect it to happen because it is a prediction or plan (e.g., “It’s supposed to rain today”).
If you say someone “is supposed to do” something, you think that they should do it because it is the right thing to do, or because it is a rule or instruction (e.g., “You’re supposed to put glasses in this cupboard, not that one”).
Supposed to in a sentence examplesWe’re supposed to be going to a party this weekend.
Published on
September 23, 2024
by
Tom Challenger, BA
Revised on
July 9, 2025
Titled and entitled can be used interchangeably to state the name of a book, movie etc. But the words have different meanings in other contexts.
You can use titled or entitled to refer to the names of works of art, documents etc. However, many style guides recommend using “titled” in this context.
If you are “entitled to do something,” you have the right to do it.
An entitled person feels that they deserve special advantages or opportunities that they have not earned.
A titled person has an official title such as “Lady,” “Sir,” “Duchess,” or “Duke.”
Titled vs entitled examples
Titled in a sentence
Entitled in a sentence
The book was amusingly titledThe Fish Who Knew Too Much.
The book was amusingly entitledThe Fish Who Knew Too Much.
Gold members are titled to one free coffee every month.
Gold members are entitled to one free coffee every month.
He is titled because he believes the world owes him everything.
He is entitled because he believes the world owes him everything.
The guest list included an array of titled dignitaries, from knights of the realm to princes and princesses.
The guest list included an array of entitled dignitaries, from knights of the realm to princes and princesses.
Published on
September 23, 2024
by
Tom Challenger, BA
Revised on
March 7, 2025
Cannot (one word) is the negative form of the modal verb “can.” Spelling it as “can not” (two words) is incorrect.
Occasionally, however, you need to use the verb “can” followed by “not” as part of a subsequent phrase (e.g., when using the construction “not only… but also”). So, it’s sometimes correct to write “can” directly followed by “not.”
Can vs cannot examples
Cannot in a sentence
Can not in a sentence
I cannot play the piano.
I can not play the piano.
The talented 10-year-old can not only sing but also play the piano.
The talented 10-year-old cannot only sing but also play the piano
You cannot force me to go to the party.
You can not force me to go to the party.
Nobody’s forcing you; you can not go if you want to.
Nobody’s forcing you; you cannot go if you want to.
NoteSome lexicographers classify “can not” as an uncommon alternative spelling of “cannot” in American English. However, as “can not” is widely regarded as a mistake, “cannot” is the recommended spelling, especially in formal writing.
Published on
September 18, 2024
by
Tom Challenger, BA
Revised on
November 4, 2024
Recurring and reoccurring both mean “happening again” and are often used interchangeably. However, recurring generally implies the additional meaning of repetition, especially frequent or periodic repetition.
As an adjective, “recurring” is used much more frequently than “reoccurring.” We rarely need to use either of these words as present participles (i.e., verbs).
Use recurring to emphasize the regularly or periodically repeating nature of an event/occurrence (e.g., “a constantly recurring problem”).
Use recurring in mathematical contexts to describe a decimal with a digit or group of digits that repeats indefinitely (i.e., “a recurring decimal”).
Recurring vs reoccurring examples
Recurring in a sentence
Reoccuring in a sentence
Forgiveness is a constantly recurring theme in the book.
It has only happened once, but we’re concerned about the issue reoccurring at some point.
Unfortunately, this has become a recurring complaint.
The medicine should prevent the infection from reoccurring.
If you divide the number 1 by 3, the result is the recurring decimal 0.333…
He said that the malfunction had been reoccurring in the past few days.
Note“Recurring” and “reoccuring” aren’t used as verbs very often, but if you need to use them as verbs to complete the phrase “prevent/stop something from [recurring/reoccuring],” use “reoccurring” if you mean “prevent from happening again even one time” (e.g., “It just can’t happen again; we have to stop it from reoccurring”).
Similarly, in progressive perfect tenses, use “reoccurring” to express that a repeating occurrence is/was “happening again” (e.g., “The issue was fixed but has been reoccurring recently”).
Published on
September 16, 2024
by
Tom Challenger, BA
Revised on
November 7, 2024
Eldest and oldest mean the same thing, but “eldest” is only used to refer to a person—almost always a member of a group of relatives (e.g., a sibling).
Eldest vs oldest examples
Eldest in a sentence
Oldest in a sentence
The eldest son did not want to take over the business.
The oldest son did not want to take over the business.
She has two brothers; she’s the eldest of the three.
She has two brothers; she’s the oldest of the three.
Published on
September 10, 2024
by
Tom Challenger, BA
Revised on
December 16, 2024
Maybe (one word) and may be (two words) are not interchangeable, but they are easily confused because they both express possibility or uncertainty.
Maybe is an adverb meaning “perhaps.” If you substitute “maybe” with “perhaps,” your sentence will still make sense.
May be is the modal verb “may” followed by the main or auxiliary verb “be.” If you substitute “may be” with “might be,” your sentence will still make sense.
Published on
September 9, 2024
by
Tom Challenger, BA
Revised on
April 4, 2025
The prepositions in, on, and at are easily confused because all three can refer to aspects of “place” (e.g., location and position) and “time” (e.g., time of day and date). The correct choice often depends on the specific context.
