What type of error occurs when similar-sounding words are confused?

Confusing similar-sounding words is best described as a phonological error. This type of error occurs when a reader misinterprets or replaces words based on their sound rather than their meaning or spelling. For instance, if a student confuses "bare" with "bear," they are demonstrating confusion based on phonological similarities rather than semantic or orthographic factors.

Morphemic errors involve misidentifying the smallest units of meaning in a word, while semantic errors occur when words are misused based on their meanings. Orthographic errors are related to the way words are spelled. In this context, the confusion of similar-sounding words demonstrates a phonological issue, as it directly relates to how words sound and the auditory processing of language.