Sole vs Soul
What’s the difference between them?
Sole
Meaning:
the bottom of a shoe or other item of footwear, usually made of a thick leather or rubber material; if something is the 'sole' item or person, it means it is the only one.
Examples:
1. I am the sole heir to my family's fortune.
2. She walked down the path barefoot, feeling the sole of her foot in the warm summer sand.
3. He was the sole survivor of the plane crash.
Soul
Meaning:
The spiritual or immaterial part of a human being, regarded as immortal.
Examples:
1. She felt a deep connection to her soul mate.
2. She sang with all of her soul.
3. She had a great appreciation for the beauty of her soul.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Sole
1. Unshared
2. Lone
3. Unrivaled
4. Unique
5. The Only One
1. Multiple
2. Joint
3. Combined
4. Collaborative
5. Shared
Soul
1. Spirit
2. Psyche
3. Essence
4. Inner being
5. Vitality
1. Heartlessness
2. Unkindness
3. Insensitivity
4. Apathy
5. Animosity
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Sole", "Soul".
1. Sole is for the bottom of your feet.
2. A soul is for your spiritual core.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word be used?
The word 'sole' is typically used to describe something that is the only one of its kind. It can be used in a variety of contexts such as in phrases like 'sole survivor' to denote the only person that survived an event, or to describe a single item of clothing such as a 'sole shoe'.
When is the appropriate context for using the second word?
The word 'soul' is typically used to describe someone's immaterial essence, often in a spiritual or religious context. It can also be used figuratively to express deep emotion or illustrate someone's character. For example, you may say 'He has a good soul' to describe a kind and compassionate person.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
Yes, these words have similar pronunciation, so you have pay attention to the context to use the correct word.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
A common mistake is switching the two words. Since they are spelled similarly and are both nouns, they are often confused for one another. Additionally, many people mistakenly pronounce the word 'soul' with the same long 'o' sound as the word 'sole', when in fact, it should be pronounced with a short 'o' sound.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. The ________ of my shoe has worn out and I need to get it repaired.
2. Many people believe that the ________ lives on after the body perishes.
3. She is the ________ person responsible for the success of the project.
4. The priest spoke about the importance of nourishing ones ________ through prayer and meditation.
5. The fisherman proudly displayed the fish with its shiny, flat ________.
6. Music has a deep connection with the human ________, often evoking strong emotions.
1. The sole of my shoe has worn out and I need to get it repaired.
Explanation: This sentence refers to the bottom of a shoe, so sole (meaning the bottom of a shoe) is the correct choice.
2. Many people believe that the soul lives on after the body perishes.
Explanation: Here, the immaterial and spiritual part of a human being is being discussed, making soul the appropriate choice.
3. She is the sole person responsible for the success of the project.
Explanation: The sentence indicates that there is only one person responsible, so sole (meaning the only one) is the right option.
4. The priest spoke about the importance of nourishing ones soul through prayer and meditation.
Explanation: The topic is related to spiritual nourishment, making soul (the spiritual part of a human) the correct choice.
5. The fisherman proudly displayed the fish with its shiny, flat sole.
Explanation: The context suggests the type of fish which has a flat body and is also named sole.
6. Music has a deep connection with the human soul, often evoking strong emotions.
Explanation: The sentence speaks about the emotional and spiritual impact of music on humans, making soul the apt choice.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.