Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:
AURAL / ORAL
These two words have to do with parts of the body. The adjective aural has to do with the ear or with the sense of hearing. The adjective oral has several meanings, but the original and most basic one is that it relates to the mouth and often refers to the spoken word.
INCORRECT: When I lost the hearing in my right ear, I had to go to the doctor for an oral exam.
CORRECT: When I lost the hearing in my right ear, I had to go to the doctor for an aural exam.
INCORRECT: I’ll take aural medication over an injection any day!
CORRECT: I’ll take oral medication over an injection any day!
ALSO CORRECT: Our French exam will include both written and oral sections.
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