- The document discusses commonly confused and misused words in English, providing examples of words that sound alike but have different meanings or parts of speech.
- It emphasizes the importance of knowing the distinctions between related words and how a single letter change can alter a word's meaning.
- Homonyms, misspellings, apostrophes, and other tricky English spelling and grammar rules are explained to avoid confusion on tests where dictionaries cannot be used.
2. Confused and MisusedConfused and Misused
Words and PhrasesWords and Phrases
Confused and MisusedConfused and Misused
Words and PhrasesWords and Phrases
Dude, the
right
word is
affect,
with an a.
Dude, the
right
word is
affect,
with an a.
No, you’re
wrong. The
word should
be effect,
with an e.
No, you’re
wrong. The
word should
be effect,
with an e.
3. This presentation
advices you on
words or
phrases that are
commonly
misused or
confused.
This presentation
advices you on
words or
phrases that are
commonly
misused or
confused.
Dude,
that’s
advises,
with an s,
not a c.
Dude,
that’s
advises,
with an s,
not a c.
4. On an objective test,On an objective test, anan
item evaluating the skillitem evaluating the skill
might look like thismight look like this .... ..
5. Sample ItemSample ItemSample ItemSample Item
My friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, so they’reMy friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, so they’re
hoping that their lunch stays down, for their arehoping that their lunch stays down, for their are
rumors that health inspectors cited the filthy kitchen.rumors that health inspectors cited the filthy kitchen.
A.A.theirtheir
B.B.they’rethey’re
C.C.therethere
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
My friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, soMy friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, so they’rethey’re
AA
hoping thathoping that theirtheir lunch stays down, forlunch stays down, for theirtheir areare
BB CC
rumors that health inspectors cited the filthy kitchen.rumors that health inspectors cited the filthy kitchen.
A.A.theirtheir
B.B.they’rethey’re
C.C.therethere
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
My friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, soMy friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, so they’rethey’re
AA
hoping thathoping that theirtheir lunch stays down, forlunch stays down, for therethere areare
BB CC
rumors that health inspectors cited the filthy kitchen.rumors that health inspectors cited the filthy kitchen.
A.A.theirtheir
B.B.they’rethey’re
C.C.therethere
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Is the word
confused or
misused at A,
B, or C?
Is the word
confused or
misused at A,
B, or C?
At C, you need
there, the
expletive, or
placeholder,
form.
At C, you need
there, the
expletive, or
placeholder,
form.
6. Recognize misspelled/correctlyRecognize misspelled/correctly
spelled words and phrases.spelled words and phrases.
Recognize misspelled/correctlyRecognize misspelled/correctly
spelled words and phrases.spelled words and phrases.
AlrightAlright ●● All rightAll right
AlotAlot ●● A lotA lot
RiteRite ●● Right, writeRight, write
Should ofShould of ●● Should haveShould have
Suppose toSuppose to ●● Supposed toSupposed to
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
Spelled
correctly!
Spelled
correctly!
Spelled
wrong!
Spelled
wrong!
7. Recognize the distinctions amongRecognize the distinctions among
related words.related words.
Recognize the distinctions amongRecognize the distinctions among
related words.related words.
3 or more;3 or more;
AmongAmong mymy
friendsfriends
AmongAmong ●● BetweenBetween 2 only;2 only;
BetweenBetween
Fred and meFred and me
Noncount;Noncount;
AmountAmount ofof
butterbutter
AmountAmount ●● NumberNumber Count;Count;
NumberNumber ofof
cookiescookies
Adjective;Adjective;
AA goodgood essayessay
GoodGood ●● WellWell Adverb;Adverb;
He writesHe writes
wellwell..
Evident,Evident,
unambiguousunambiguous
ExplicitExplicit ●● ImplicitImplicit Implied,Implied,
ambiguousambiguous
Know these
differences!
Know these
differences!
8. Know the difference that a singleKnow the difference that a single
newnew letter can make.letter can make.
Know the difference that a singleKnow the difference that a single
newnew letter can make.letter can make.
Before a wordBefore a word
beginning with abeginning with a
consonant [sound]consonant [sound]
AA ●● AAnn Before a wordBefore a word
beginning with abeginning with a
vowel [sound]vowel [sound]
BeforeBefore AlreadyAlready ●● AlAlll readyready CompletelyCompletely
preparedprepared
A thought orA thought or
conceptionconception
IdeaIdea ●● IdeaIdeall The concept ofThe concept of
somethingsomething
perfectperfect
To suffer theTo suffer the
deprivation ofdeprivation of
LoseLose ●● LoLooosese Free fromFree from
restraintrestraint
Verb; past tense ofVerb; past tense of
areare
WereWere ●● WWhhereere A placeA place
More to
learn!
More to
learn!
9. Know the difference that anKnow the difference that an
apostropheapostrophe can make.can make.
Know the difference that anKnow the difference that an
apostropheapostrophe can make.can make.
PossessivePossessive
pronoun;pronoun;
belonging tobelonging to itit
ItsIts ●● It’sIt’s Contraction forContraction for
it isit is oror it hasit has
PossessivePossessive
pronoun;pronoun;
belonging tobelonging to
whomwhom
WhoseWhose ●● Who’sWho’s Contraction forContraction for
who iswho is oror
who haswho has
PossessivePossessive
pronoun;pronoun;
belonging tobelonging to
youyou
YourYour ●● You’reYou’re Contraction forContraction for
you areyou are
Possessive pronouns
never contain an
apostrophe.
Possessive pronouns
never contain an
apostrophe.
Contractions do
contain an
apostrophe.
Contractions do
contain an
apostrophe.
10. Know the difference aKnow the difference a changechange to ato a
single letter can make.single letter can make.
Know the difference aKnow the difference a changechange to ato a
single letter can make.single letter can make.
Noun formNoun form AdviAdviccee ●● AdviAdvissee Verb formVerb form
Usually a verbUsually a verb AAffectffect ●● EEffectffect Usually a nounUsually a noun
City, wealth,City, wealth,
importantimportant
CapitCapitaall ●● CapitCapitooll The building forThe building for
lawmakinglawmaking
To quoteTo quote CCiteite ●● SSiteite A locationA location
RoughRough CoCoaarserse ●● CoCouurserse Path, routePath, route
PraisePraise ComplCompliimentment ●● ComplCompleementment Goes well withGoes well with
Put in placePut in place SSeett ●● SSiitt Be seatedBe seated
UnchangingUnchanging StationStationaaryry ●● StationStationeeryry PaperPaper
IndicatesIndicates
comparisoncomparison
ThThaann ●● ThTheenn NextNext
Why is English so
complicated?
Why is English so
complicated?
11. Don’t let these homonyms [sound alikeDon’t let these homonyms [sound alike
words] confuse you.words] confuse you.
Don’t let these homonyms [sound alikeDon’t let these homonyms [sound alike
words] confuse you.words] confuse you.
Agree to or receiveAgree to or receive AcceptAccept ●● ExceptExcept Leave outLeave out
Plural present of thePlural present of the
verbverb bebe
AreAre ●● OurOur Possessive pronoun;Possessive pronoun;
belonging tobelonging to usus
Past tense ofPast tense of passpass PassedPassed ●● PastPast Gone, byGone, by
Go beforeGo before PrecedePrecede ●● ProceedProceed Carry onCarry on
Chief [person], mainChief [person], main PrincipalPrincipal ●● PrinciplePrinciple Truth or ruleTruth or rule
Correct, a just claim,Correct, a just claim,
a directiona direction
RightRight ●● WriteWrite Make letters with anMake letters with an
instrumentinstrument
Sight, touch, hearing,Sight, touch, hearing,
smell, tastesmell, taste
SenseSense ●● SinceSince Adverb, conjunction,Adverb, conjunction,
or prepositionor preposition
View, glimpseView, glimpse SightSight ●● SiteSite A locationA location
Past tense ofPast tense of throwthrow ThrewThrew ●● ThroughThrough BeyondBeyond
State of theState of the
atmosphereatmosphere
WeatherWeather ●● WhetherWhether Introduces anIntroduces an
alternativealternative
12. My brain
is getting
full!
My brain
is getting
full! Relax,
dude, we’re
almost
there!
Relax,
dude, we’re
almost
there!
13. To, Too, TwoTo, Too, TwoTo, Too, TwoTo, Too, Two
• UseUse toto as a preposition.as a preposition.
Jonathan droveJonathan drove toto the seafood shop.the seafood shop.
• UseUse toto to begin an infinitive.to begin an infinitive.
He hopedHe hoped to buyto buy fresh squid.fresh squid.
• UseUse tootoo to show degreeto show degree..
The squid wasThe squid was tootoo expensive to purchase.expensive to purchase.
• UseUse tootoo as a synonym foras a synonym for alsoalso..
SoSo tootoo was the fresh octopus.was the fresh octopus.
• UseUse twotwo when you mean the number.when you mean the number.
Jonathan boughtJonathan bought twotwo flounder filets instead.flounder filets instead.
14. There, Their, They’reThere, Their, They’reThere, Their, They’reThere, Their, They’re
• UseUse therethere as an expletive, a placeholder toas an expletive, a placeholder to
delay the subject.delay the subject.
ThereThere is a turtle in the road.is a turtle in the road.
• UseUse therethere to indicate place.to indicate place.
Across the road is a lake. The turtle hopes to getAcross the road is a lake. The turtle hopes to get
therethere before a car hits him.before a car hits him.
• UseUse theirtheir as a possessive pronounas a possessive pronoun..
Most drivers don’t see the turtle;Most drivers don’t see the turtle; theirtheir eyes are gluedeyes are glued
toto theirtheir cell phones.cell phones.
• UseUse they’rethey’re as a contraction foras a contraction for they arethey are..
They’reThey’re also distracted by other devices, like thealso distracted by other devices, like the
radio and navigation system.radio and navigation system.
15. At many objective exams, youAt many objective exams, you
cancannotnot use a dictionary!use a dictionary!
At many objective exams, youAt many objective exams, you
cancannotnot use a dictionary!use a dictionary!
XX
16. When in doubt, rely onWhen in doubt, rely on
“gut” feelings.“gut” feelings.
When in doubt, rely onWhen in doubt, rely on
“gut” feelings.“gut” feelings.
Your eyes haveYour eyes have seenseen in printin print——and yourand your
brain hasbrain has registeredregistered——all of the possibleall of the possible
words that you will encounter for this skill. Ifwords that you will encounter for this skill. If
you don’tyou don’t recognizerecognize the right answer, gothe right answer, go
with the one thatwith the one that feelsfeels right.right.
Hey, I’ve seen
that word
before!
Hey, I’ve seen
that word
before!
17. Quick TestQuick TestQuick TestQuick Test
Directions:Directions: In the items that follow, chooseIn the items that follow, choose
the option that corrects an error in thethe option that corrects an error in the
underlined portion(s). If no error exists, chooseunderlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose
“No change is necessary.”“No change is necessary.”
Your
turn!
Your
turn!
Let’s see
what you
can do!
Let’s see
what you
can do!
18. Item 1Item 1Item 1Item 1
Even though we warned Jake not to eat a holeEven though we warned Jake not to eat a hole
pie at one sitting, he sat at the kitchen table andpie at one sitting, he sat at the kitchen table and
proceeded to consume slice after slice.proceeded to consume slice after slice.
A.A.wholewhole
B.B.setset
C.C.precededpreceded
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Even though we warned Jake not to eat aEven though we warned Jake not to eat a holehole
AA
pie at one sitting, hepie at one sitting, he satsat at the kitchen table andat the kitchen table and
BB
proceededproceeded to consume slice after slice.to consume slice after slice.
CC
A.A.wholewhole
B.B.setset
C.C.precededpreceded
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Even though we warned Jake not to eat aEven though we warned Jake not to eat a wholewhole
AA
pie at one sitting, hepie at one sitting, he satsat at the kitchen table andat the kitchen table and
BB
proceededproceeded to consume slice after slice.to consume slice after slice.
CC
A.A.wholewhole
B.B.setset
C.C.precededpreceded
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
19. Item 2Item 2Item 2Item 2
Give Jerrod a compliment because his shoeGive Jerrod a compliment because his shoe
laces complement the colors in his plaid shirt.laces complement the colors in his plaid shirt.
His fashion since is gradually improving.His fashion since is gradually improving.
A.A.complementcomplement
B.B.complimentcompliment
C.C.sensesense
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Give Jerrod aGive Jerrod a complimentcompliment because his shoebecause his shoe
AA
laceslaces complementcomplement the colors in his plaid shirt.the colors in his plaid shirt.
BB
His fashionHis fashion sincesince is gradually improving.is gradually improving.
CC
A.A.complementcomplement
B.B.complimentcompliment
C.C.sensesense
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Give Jerrod aGive Jerrod a complimentcompliment because his shoebecause his shoe
AA
laceslaces complementcomplement the colors in his plaid shirt.the colors in his plaid shirt.
BB
His fashionHis fashion sensesense is gradually improving.is gradually improving.
CC
A.A.complementcomplement
B.B.complimentcompliment
C.C.sensesense
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
20. Item 3Item 3Item 3Item 3
If you go by the supermarket, buy a package ofIf you go by the supermarket, buy a package of
hotdog buns. Than we can grill the sausage forhotdog buns. Than we can grill the sausage for
dinner.dinner.
A.A.buybuy
B.B.byby
C.C.ThenThen
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
If you goIf you go byby the supermarket,the supermarket, buybuy a package ofa package of
AA BB
hotdog buns.hotdog buns. ThanThan we can grill the sausage forwe can grill the sausage for
CC
dinner.dinner.
A.A.buybuy
B.B.byby
C.C.ThenThen
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
If you goIf you go byby the supermarket,the supermarket, buybuy a package ofa package of
AA BB
hotdog buns.hotdog buns. ThenThen we can grill the sausage forwe can grill the sausage for
CC
dinner.dinner.
A.A.buybuy
B.B.byby
C.C.ThenThen
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
21. Item 4Item 4Item 4Item 4
Heed my advice, and don’t loose your receipt.Heed my advice, and don’t loose your receipt.
The college bookstore will not accept any excuseThe college bookstore will not accept any excuse
if you need to return those books.if you need to return those books.
A.A.adviseadvise
B.B.loselose
C.C.exceptexcept
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Heed myHeed my adviceadvice, and don’t, and don’t looseloose your receipt.your receipt.
AA BB
The college bookstore will notThe college bookstore will not acceptaccept any excuseany excuse
CC
if you need to return those books.if you need to return those books.
A.A.adviseadvise
B.B.loselose
C.C.exceptexcept
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Heed myHeed my adviceadvice, and don’t, and don’t loselose your receipt.your receipt.
AA BB
The college bookstore will notThe college bookstore will not acceptaccept any excuseany excuse
CC
if you need to return those books.if you need to return those books.
A.A.adviseadvise
B.B.loselose
C.C.exceptexcept
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
22. Item 5Item 5Item 5Item 5
The heard of gazelle leaped through the air asThe heard of gazelle leaped through the air as
the animals tried to elude the cheetah.the animals tried to elude the cheetah.
A.A.herdherd
B.B.threwthrew
C.C.alludeallude
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
TheThe heardheard of gazelle leapedof gazelle leaped throughthrough the air asthe air as
AA BB
the animals tried tothe animals tried to eludeelude the cheetah.the cheetah.
CC
A.A.herdherd
B.B.threwthrew
C.C.alludeallude
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
TheThe herdherd of gazelle leapedof gazelle leaped throughthrough the air asthe air as
AA BB
the animals tried tothe animals tried to eludeelude the cheetah.the cheetah.
CC
A.A.herdherd
B.B.threwthrew
C.C.alludeallude
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
23. Item 6Item 6Item 6Item 6
Maybe Gerald is caught in traffic, or he maybeMaybe Gerald is caught in traffic, or he maybe
flirting with the cute cafeteria cashier. Either way,flirting with the cute cafeteria cashier. Either way,
don’t accept any excuse for his tardiness.don’t accept any excuse for his tardiness.
A.A.May beMay be
B.B.may bemay be
C.C.exceptexcept
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
MaybeMaybe Gerald is caught in traffic, or heGerald is caught in traffic, or he maybemaybe
AA BB
flirting with the cute cafeteria cashier. Either way,flirting with the cute cafeteria cashier. Either way,
don’tdon’t acceptaccept any excuse for his tardiness.any excuse for his tardiness.
CC
A.A.May beMay be
B.B.may bemay be
C.C.exceptexcept
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
MaybeMaybe Gerald is caught in traffic, or heGerald is caught in traffic, or he may bemay be
AA BB
flirting with the cute cafeteria cashier. Either way,flirting with the cute cafeteria cashier. Either way,
don’tdon’t acceptaccept any excuse for his tardiness.any excuse for his tardiness.
CC
A.A.May beMay be
B.B.may bemay be
C.C.exceptexcept
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
24. Item 7Item 7Item 7Item 7
When there are fewer students in a class, theWhen there are fewer students in a class, the
professor has less worries that everyone isprofessor has less worries that everyone is
getting individual attention.getting individual attention.
A.A.theirtheir
B.B.lessless
C.C.fewerfewer
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
WhenWhen therethere areare fewerfewer students in a class, thestudents in a class, the
AA BB
professor hasprofessor has lessless worries that everyone isworries that everyone is
CC
getting individual attention.getting individual attention.
A.A.theirtheir
B.B.lessless
C.C.fewerfewer
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
WhenWhen therethere areare fewerfewer students in a class, thestudents in a class, the
AA BB
professor hasprofessor has fewerfewer worries that everyone isworries that everyone is
CC
getting individual attention.getting individual attention.
A.A.theirtheir
B.B.lessless
C.C.fewerfewer
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
25. Item 8Item 8Item 8Item 8
We were successful baking 300 cupcakes forWe were successful baking 300 cupcakes for
the charity event, but today we’re exhausted afterthe charity event, but today we’re exhausted after
spending all night preparing the desserts.spending all night preparing the desserts.
A.A.we’rewe’re
B.B.werewere
C.C.desertsdeserts
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
WeWe werewere successful baking 300 cupcakes forsuccessful baking 300 cupcakes for
AA
the charity event, but todaythe charity event, but today we’rewe’re exhausted afterexhausted after
BB
spending all night preparing thespending all night preparing the dessertsdesserts..
CC
A.A.we’rewe’re
B.B.werewere
C.C.desertsdeserts
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
WeWe werewere successful baking 300 cupcakes forsuccessful baking 300 cupcakes for
AA
the charity event, but todaythe charity event, but today we’rewe’re exhausted afterexhausted after
BB
spending all night preparing thespending all night preparing the dessertsdesserts..
CC
A.A.we’rewe’re
B.B.werewere
C.C.desertsdeserts
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
26. Item 9Item 9Item 9Item 9
Gregory passed his chemistry final, so now heGregory passed his chemistry final, so now he
won’t loose his scholarship. As he walked pastwon’t loose his scholarship. As he walked past
the diner, he rewarded himself with a milkshake.the diner, he rewarded himself with a milkshake.
A.A.pastpast
B.B.loselose
C.C.passedpassed
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
GregoryGregory passedpassed his chemistry final, so now hehis chemistry final, so now he
AA
won’twon’t looseloose his scholarship. As he walkedhis scholarship. As he walked pastpast
BB CC
the diner, he rewarded himself with a milkshake.the diner, he rewarded himself with a milkshake.
A.A.pastpast
B.B.loselose
C.C.passedpassed
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
GregoryGregory passedpassed his chemistry final, so now hehis chemistry final, so now he
AA
won’twon’t loselose his scholarship. As he walkedhis scholarship. As he walked pastpast
BB CC
the diner, he rewarded himself with a milkshake.the diner, he rewarded himself with a milkshake.
A.A.pastpast
B.B.loselose
C.C.passedpassed
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
27. Item 10Item 10Item 10Item 10
Mr. Ramos hopes to except the bid on the house.Mr. Ramos hopes to except the bid on the house.
He has agreed to all of the buyer’s conditionsHe has agreed to all of the buyer’s conditions
except retiling the master bathroom since itexcept retiling the master bathroom since it
would be too much work.would be too much work.
A.A.acceptaccept
B.B.acceptaccept
C.C.sensesense
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Mr. Ramos hopes toMr. Ramos hopes to exceptexcept the bid on the house.the bid on the house.
AA
He has agreed to all of the buyer’s conditionsHe has agreed to all of the buyer’s conditions
exceptexcept retiling the master bathroomretiling the master bathroom sincesince itit
BB CC
would be too much work.would be too much work.
A.A.acceptaccept
B.B.acceptaccept
C.C.sensesense
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Mr. Ramos hopes toMr. Ramos hopes to acceptaccept the bid on the house.the bid on the house.
AA
He has agreed to all of the buyer’s conditionsHe has agreed to all of the buyer’s conditions
exceptexcept retiling the master bathroomretiling the master bathroom sincesince itit
BB CC
would be too much work.would be too much work.
A.A.acceptaccept
B.B.acceptaccept
C.C.sensesense
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
28. chomp!
chomp!
Grammar Bytes!
provides additional
handouts and exercises on
commonly confused
words. Go to
chompchomp.com!
Grammar Bytes!
provides additional
handouts and exercises on
commonly confused
words. Go to
chompchomp.com!