English is full of lookalikes and sound-alikes. Sometimes words are spelled almost the same, but they mean completely different things. Other times they sound similar but are used in different ways. It’s no surprise that even advanced learners (and native speakers!) get confused.

Words like tough, though, thought, and through often appear in daily conversations, books, and media — and they can be tricky if you rely only on spelling or pronunciation. Let’s fix that.

Below is a handy reference table to help you understand these commonly confused words. We’ve included their meanings, grammar roles, and example sentences so you can start recognizing and using them with more confidence.

Extra Tips for Mastery

• Pronunciation alert!
  Words like tough, though, through, and thought all have wildly different pronunciations — even though they look alike. Don’t let spelling trick you. Listening is key here. Pay close attention when watching shows or talking with native speakers.

• Use memory tricks:
  • Tough = like “rough” (rhymes).
  • Though = sounds like “go.”
  • Through = rhymes with “blue.”
  • Thorough = rhymes with “burrow.”
• Practice in context.
  You can memorize definitions all day long, but what really helps is seeing the words used in meaningful situations. That’s why apps like Lexiphant focus on letting you capture words from your real-life experiences — like movies, articles, and conversations — and review them in your own context.

Try This

Pick three words from the table and write your own example sentences using something that happened to you recently. This helps solidify meaning and usage in your memory.

For example:

• “It was a tough week at work, but I thought of quitting only once.”
• “We worked through lunch and stayed focused throughout the day.”

Even small daily practice like this builds confidence.

Want more of these posts? Let us know! You can also save these words in Lexiphant, add your own context, and get AI-generated examples and quizzes to help you master them for good.