Difference between Access and Excess
Access vs. Excess | Pair of Words
Access and excess are very confusing words. English language has hundreds of pair of words that have similarities in different aspects (with almost same pronunciation). This pair of words has similar pronunciation; thus, a homophone. Homophones are those words that have a similar sound that can confuse a listener to judge the correct word.
Read the sentences below to comprehend the difference:
- Access to using internet is free in our town.
- Excess of using the internet on smartphones is dangerous.
Both of the above sentences have different meanings, but the pronunciation of the key word in both sentences is similar that may cause a confusion for a listener that which word is right at the start of the sentence. We will discuss both words in a detail in this article.
Meanings of Access and Excess
Access: Access has different meanings that include to approach, to enter, to connect, to reach or to gain something.
Excess: Excess is the quantity of anything, which is in surplus of what is desired or necessary.
Pronunciation of Access vs Excess
Access: / ˈaksɛs /
Excess: / ɪkˈsɛs /
Synonyms of Access and Excess
Access: enter, penetrate, pierce, attack, bout, seizure, siege
Excess: redundancy, extra, spare, surplus, overabundance, overmuch
Definition and Use of Word Access
The word access can be used as a noun and a verb. The word access means to gain something that you need or require. The word access also means to can approach, permission or opportunity that you want to get or to reach any place.
Correct Use of Access as a Noun
As a noun, access means the way to reach close to a place or any person. it also means to get authority or right. Look at the below sentences.
- The remote island has no road access.
- You can access the remote island only by a ship or boat.
- Once they reach the island, you can easily get access to free internet service.
- The remote island has no access to medical facilities.
Correct Use of Access as a Verb
As a verb, it refers to get information from a laptop file, or a storage device, or to get login password of any electronic storage device.
- Can you please provide me with the password, so that I can access drive C.
- You can access free internet service by going to the City Internet Point.
Definition and Use of Word Excess
The word excess is very common in use that means an overabundance of anything, i.e. more than the desired quantity, number, size or amount. We can use it as a noun, and an adjective, in the sentences.
Correct Use of Access as a Noun
As a noun, it refers to more than enough, i.e. greater than the required. For example, “The manager said, “you have to sell the excess stock of wheat in the current month.” As a noun, it may also mean the state of working more than normal or permitted extent. For example, “Don’t watch television to excess.”
Correct Use of Access as an Adjective
As an adjective, the word excess means extra or surplus. For example, “Kindly remove excess items from the shelf.”