Commonly Confused Wordsand Pet Peeves

Round One

They’re / Their / ThereThey’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 / twoTo / 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’sIts / 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 / ThanCopy 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’reLose / 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 / ThrewThrough / 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. (Who’s / whose) book is this?2. (Who’s / whose) coming to the football game

tomorrow?3. The man (who’s / whose) house collapsed is

now homeless.4. 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. FormerlyThe word formally means “in a proper or

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

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

The word formerly means “previously,” or “done in the past.”

The lake was formerly a valley.

Desert vs. DessertThe 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. PastThe word passed means “went by, beyond, over,

or through.”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 means “completely, rather, or very.”

He was quite sure he was at school yesterday.

Waist vs. Waste

The word waist means “the midsection of the body.”

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. WhetherThe word weather refers to “conditions

outdoors.”

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 in being

closely related to the preceding adverb.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 means “to bring out” or “to evoke.”– 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.