Commonly Confused Words and Pet Peeves

Round One

They’re / Their / There

Copy the sentences below, using the correct word.

1.(They’re / Their / There) house was destroyed by the hurricane.

2.Put the television over (they’re / their / there).

3.(They’re / Their /There) not the ones who stole the candy.

To / too / two

Copy the following sentences with the correct form of (to/too/two).

1.You have (to/too/two) minutes to get to class.

2.We’re going (to/too/two) the movies.

3.There are way (to/too/two) many warm ups in this class.

Its / It’s

Copy the following sentences with the correct form of (its / it’s).

5. (Its / It’s) been so long since I’ve seen you.

6. I can’t believe (its / it’s) finally Friday!

7. The dog managed to get (its / it’s) legs stuck in (its / it’s) doghouse.

8. (Its / It’s) just a matter of time before a snake bites (its / it’s) owner.

Then / Than

Copy the following sentences, using the correct form of (then / than).

9. I can’t believe I’m older (then/than) you.

10. I will take my time, (then/than) I’ll go to class.

11. My shoes are much cleaner (then/than) yours.

Lose / Loose Your / You’re

Copy the following sentences with the correct form of (lose/loose) and (your/you’re).

12. His pants were (lose/loose) fitting.

13. Take (your/you’re) feet off the desk.

14. We hope we don’t (lose/loose) today.

15. (Your/You’re) not the first person to say that.

Through / Threw

Copy the following sentences, using the correct form of (through/threw): 1.We had to go (through/threw) the metal detectors.

2.The president (through/threw) out the first pitch at the game.

3.He (through/threw) up after getting off the roller coaster.

Who’s / Whose

Copy the sentences, using the correct form of (who’s / whose).

1.

2.

3.

4.

(Who’s / whose) book is this?

(Who’s / whose) coming to the football game tomorrow?

The man (who’s / whose) house collapsed is now homeless.

I need to know (who’s /whose) with me.

Accept vs. Except

•

Accept

is a verb meaning “to receive.”

Did you accept the gift?

•

Except

is a preposition that means“excluding.”

We were busy every night except Tuesday.

Affect vs. Effect

•

Affect

is a verb meaning “to influence.”

Try not to let unkind remarks affect you.

•

Effect

is usually used as a noun that means “the result of.”

The effects of the hurricane were evident.

All together vs. Altogether

•

All together

is an adverb meaning “in unison,” or an adjective meaning “ in the same place.

Please sing all together, now.

We were all together for the holidays.

• Altogether is an adverb that means “entirely.”

Her reaction was altogether unexpected.

Complement vs. Compliment

• The word

complement

is a noun and a verb. In either case, it refers to something that completes or goes well with something else.

– –

The sauce is a nice complement to the vegetables.

The sauces complements the vegetables.

• The word

compliment

is also a noun and a verb, but it indicates the offering of praise or flattery to another person.

–

He gave her a compliment about how she was dressed.

–

He complimented her on her attire.

All ready vs. Already

The words

all ready

mean “all prepared”

We were all ready to leave.

The word

already

means “previously”

We have already painted the sets.

Formally vs. Formerly

The word dignified manner,” or “according to strict rules.”

formally

means “in a proper or

Did you dress formally for the party or wear everyday clothing?

The word

formerly

in the past.” means “previously,” or “done

The lake was formerly a valley.

Desert vs. Dessert

The word

desert

means “a dry region” or “to leave or abandon.”

He crossed the desert at night.

She deserted her sister at Kennywood.

The word

dessert

means “the final, sweet course of a meal.”

The buffet’s food was great, except for the dessert, which was dry and bland.

Passed vs. Past

The word

passed

or through.” means “went by, beyond, over,

He passed the last car before reaching the checkered flag.

The word

past

means “time gone by,” “of a former time,” or “beyond.”

He told stories about the past.

He has missed the past two days.

He walked right past the snake.

Principal vs. Principle

The word

principal

means “the head of a school,” or “main or most important.”

Mr. Stephens is the principal.

The principal export of Brazil is coffee.

The word

principle

means “a rule of conduct,” or “a fact of general truth.”

Her principles are very high.

MLK supported a principle of non-violence.

Personal vs. Personnel

The word

personal

is an adjective meaning “individual” or “private.”

The store manager gave us personal attention.

The word

personnel

refers to “a group of people employed in the same work.”

Management asked personnel to come to work 10 minutes earlier than last year.

Quiet vs. Quite

The word

quiet

means “silent” or “still.”

The library is now usually quiet.

The word

quite

very.” means “completely, rather, or

He was quite sure he was at school yesterday.

Waist vs. Waste

The word

waist

body.” means “the midsection of the

The pants are too tight around the waist.

The word

waste

means “a needless expense,” “unused material,” or “to use foolishly.”

Waiting in line is a waste of time.

Do not waste too much time on video games.

Weather vs. Whether

The word

weather

outdoors.” refers to “conditions

The weather has been far from perfect this week!

The word

whether

indicates an alternative or some doubt.

You must decide whether you want to go or not.

•

Assure, ensure, insure

Assure

is a verb meaning “to make certain by removing doubt or suspense; to promise.”

I assure you that will not happen again!

• Ensure is a verb meaning “to make certain by protecting; to guarantee.”

The First Amendment ensures the freedom of speech.

• Insure is a verb meaning “to arrange for monetary payment in case of loss, etc.”

What is the cost to insure both vehicles?

Anxious vs. Eager

•

Anxious

means “apprehensive,” or nervous, about something; although, you might have an excitement for it as well.

I am very anxious about the championship game.

• Eager means you await something with pleasant expectations.

I am so eager for summer vacation!

Between vs. Among

• Whether you choose

between

two evils or

among

them depends on the number of evils.

Between the devil and the deep blue sea. (Between usually is the choice as an object of the preposition when choosing between two).

Between vs. Among (cont.)

•

I must choose among The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

(Among is usually, but not always, required for three or more)

Between

usually carries a more “one-on-one” connotation than

among

:

Differing ideologies have caused wars between nations, but a common enemy may yet bring peace among them.

Everyday vs. Every day

•

Everyday

is an adjective.

Her everyday clothes made the rich kids scoff.

• Every day is an adverb telling “when” or “how often.”

Every day, he comes into the classroom ten minutes late.

Everyone vs. Every one

•

Everyone

is a pronoun, which should be used only when you can substitute

everybody

.

Everyone who answers the questionnaire will win a prize!

• Every one is a phrase made up of the adjective

every

and the pronoun

one.

Every one of the players was angry with their captain.

In, Into, and In to

•

In

means “within.”

If you walk in a room, you move around within it.

•

Into

means “from the outside to the inside.” •

If you walk into a room, heads might turn as you enter.

In to

is two words:

to

being a preposition and being closely related to the preceding adverb.

in

I turned my paper in to my teacher.

Don’t give in to temptation.

It’s vs. Its

•

Its

is the possessive case.

The dog took its bone back to its doghouse.

The computer took its time loading.

•

It’s

is the contraction for It + is.

It’s too late!

It’s the only thing that makes them smile.

Lay vs. Lie

•

Lay

is a verb that means “to put [something] in its place.” The past tense is

laid

.

Lay the napkins on the table, if they’ve not already been laid.

Lay vs. Lie (cont.)

• Lie means “to rest, “to recline,” or “to be in a certain place.” It does not take a direct object.

I might go lie down. I’m not feeling well.

The present participle is lying.

I left the napkin lying on the table.

One problem is that lay is the past tense of lie.

The seed lay on the ground.

Lain is the past participle of lie.

The seed had lain on the ground without watering, so it died.

May versus Might

• Both usually point to the future, but

may

carries a more positive connotation than

might. May

shows better odds, too.

We think we may play as early as Friday, but we might have to wait until Wednesday.

Cite vs. Site

• The word

cite

is a verb that means to mention or quote as an authority or example.

• The word

site

means a particular place.

Disinterested vs. Uninterested

• The word

disinterested

means “impartial.” – Let a disinterested person judge the dispute. (an impartial person) • The word

uninterested

means “not interested in.” – The man is uninterested in our dispute. (not interested)

Peak vs. pique (as verbs)

• The verb

peak

means to “achieve a maximum or to bring to a maximum.” – The popularity of the show

Cheers

peaked in the late 1980s.

• The verb

pique

means “to provoke or arouse,” or “to provoke resentment or indignation.” – Which sport

piques

your interest the most: hockey or football?

Elicit vs. Illicit

• The verb

elicit

evoke.” means “to bring out” or “to – The teacher tried to elicit a response from the students.

• The adjective

illicit

means “unlawful.” – The illicit material was confiscated immediately.

Adverse vs. Averse

• Adverse means “unfavorable.” – That could have an adverse effect on your health.

• Averse means “opposed” or “reluctant,” and is usually followed by “to.” – I am very averse to any vacation that poses a threat to my safety.

Continual vs. Continuous

• The word

continual

means “repeated regularly and frequently.” – The continual interruptions became tedious.

• The word

continuous

means “extended or prolonged without interruption.” – The broken siren made a continuous wail.

Coarse vs. Course

The word

coarse

is an adjective meaning “rough” or “crude” I scraped my arm on the coarse cement.

My skin is coarse during the winter months.

Coarse vs. Course (cont.)

The word

course

is a noun meaning “part of a meal,” “a series of studies,” “a playing field,” or a “path of action.” It is a four course meal.

The speech course made me nervous.

The golf course was difficult to play.

You are on a good course in life.