PPT Confused and Misused Words and Phrases

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Confused and Misused Words Confused and Misused Words and Phrasesand Phrases

Dude, the right word is affect, with an a.

No, you’re wrong. The word should be effect, with an e.

This presentation advices you on

words or phrases that are commonly

misused or confused.

Dude, that’s

advises, with an s, not a c.

On an objective test,On an objective test, an item an item evaluating the skill might look evaluating the skill might look like this like this .. .. ..

Sample ItemSample Item

My friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, so they’re My friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, so they’re

hoping that their lunch stays down, for their are hoping 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.theirtheirB.B.they’rethey’reC.C.therethereD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

My friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, so My friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, so they’rethey’re AAhoping that hoping that theirtheir lunch stays down, for lunch stays down, for theirtheir are are BB CCrumors that health inspectors cited the filthy kitchen.rumors that health inspectors cited the filthy kitchen.


My friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, so My friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, so they’rethey’re AAhoping that hoping that theirtheir lunch stays down, for lunch stays down, for therethere are are BB CCrumors that health inspectors cited the filthy kitchen.rumors that health inspectors cited the filthy kitchen.


Is the word confused or

misused at A, B, or C?

At C, you need there, the

expletive, or placeholder,

form.

Recognize misspelled/correctly spelled Recognize misspelled/correctly spelled words and phrases.words and phrases.

AlrightAlright ●● All rightAll rightAlotAlot ●● A lotA lotRiteRite ●● Right, writeRight, write

Should ofShould of ●● Should haveShould haveSuppose toSuppose to ●● Supposed toSupposed to

XXXXXXXXXX

Spelled correctly!

Spelled wrong!

Recognize the distinctions among Recognize the distinctions among related words.related words.

3 or more; 3 or more; AmongAmong my my

friendsfriends

AmongAmong ●● BetweenBetween 2 only;2 only;BetweenBetween Fred and meFred and me

Noncount;Noncount;Amount Amount of of

butterbutter

AmountAmount ●● NumberNumber Count;Count;Number Number of of 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 the difference that a single Know the difference that a single newnew letter can make.letter can make.

Before a word Before a word beginning with a beginning with a

consonant [sound]consonant [sound]

AA ●● AAnn Before a word Before a word beginning with a beginning with a vowel [sound]vowel [sound]

BeforeBefore AlreadyAlready ●● AlAlll ready ready Completely Completely preparedprepared

A thought or A thought or conceptionconception

IdeaIdea ●● IdeaIdeall The concept of The concept of something something perfectperfect

To suffer the To suffer the deprivation ofdeprivation of

LoseLose ●● LoLooosese Free from Free from restraintrestraint

Verb; past tense of Verb; past tense of areare

WereWere ●● WWhhereere A placeA place

More to learn!

Know the difference that an Know the difference that an apostropheapostrophe can make.can make.

Possessive Possessive pronoun; pronoun;

belonging to belonging to itit

ItsIts ●● It’sIt’s Contraction for Contraction for it is it is oror it has it has


belonging tobelonging to whomwhom

WhoseWhose ●● Who’sWho’s Contraction for Contraction for who is who is oror who who hashas


belonging to belonging to youyou

YourYour ●● You’reYou’re Contraction forContraction for you areyou are

Possessive pronouns never contain an

apostrophe.

Contractions do contain an apostrophe.

Know the difference a Know the difference a changechange to a single to a single letter can make.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 ●● CapitCapitool l The building for The building for lawmakinglawmaking

To quoteTo quote CCiteite ●● SSite ite A locationA location

RoughRough CoCoaarserse ●● CoCouurse rse Path, routePath, route

PraisePraise ComplCompliimentment ●● ComplCompleementment Goes well withGoes well with

Put in placePut in place SSeett ●● SSiitt Be seatedBe seated

UnchangingUnchanging StationStationaaryry ●● StationStationeery ry PaperPaper

Indicates Indicates comparisoncomparison

ThThaann ●● ThTheenn NextNext

Why is English so complicated?

Don’t let these homonyms [sound alike Don’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 the Plural present of the verb verb bebe

AreAre ●● OurOur Possessive pronoun; Possessive pronoun; belonging tobelonging to us us

Past tense of Past tense of passpass PassedPassed ●● Past Past Gone, byGone, by

Go beforeGo before PrecedePrecede ●● Proceed Proceed 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 an Make 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 of Past tense of throwthrow ThrewThrew ●● ThroughThrough BeyondBeyond

State of the State of the atmosphereatmosphere

WeatherWeather ●● Whether Whether Introduces an Introduces an alternativealternative

My brain is getting full!

Relax, dude, we’re almost

there!

To, Too, TwoTo, Too, Two• UseUse toto as a preposition.as a preposition.

Jonathan droveJonathan drove to to the seafood shop.the seafood shop.• UseUse to to to begin an infinitive.to begin an infinitive.

He hopedHe hoped to buy to buy fresh squid.fresh squid.• UseUse too too to show degreeto show degree..

The squid wasThe squid was too too expensive to purchase.expensive to purchase.• UseUse too too as a synonym foras a synonym for also also..

SoSo too too was the fresh octopus.was the fresh octopus.• UseUse two two when you mean the number.when you mean the number.

Jonathan boughtJonathan bought two two flounder filets instead.flounder filets instead.

There, Their, They’reThere, Their, They’re• UseUse therethere as an expletive, a placeholder to as an expletive, a placeholder to

delay the subject.delay the subject.There There is a turtle in the road.is a turtle in the road.

• UseUse there there 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

there there before a car hits him.before a car hits him.• UseUse their their as a possessive pronounas a possessive pronoun..

Most drivers don’t see the turtle; Most drivers don’t see the turtle; their their eyes are glued eyes are glued to to their their cell phones.cell phones.

• UseUse they’re they’re as a contraction for as a contraction for they arethey are..They’re They’re also distracted by other devices, like the radio also distracted by other devices, like the radio

and navigation system.and navigation system.

At many objective exams, you canAt many objective exams, you cannotnot use a dictionary!use a dictionary!

XX

When in doubt, rely on “gut” When in doubt, rely on “gut” feelings.feelings.

Your eyes have Your eyes have seenseen in printin print —— and your and your brain has brain has registeredregistered —— all of the possible all of the possible

words that you will encounter for this skill. If words that you will encounter for this skill. If you don’t you don’t recognizerecognize the right answer, go the right answer, go

with the one that with the one that feelsfeels right.right.

Hey, I’ve seen that word before!

Quick TestQuick TestDirections:Directions: In the items that follow, choose In the items that follow, choose the option that corrects an error in the the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”“No change is necessary.”

Your turn!

Let’s see what you can do!

Item 1Item 1Even though we warned Jake not to eat a hole Even though we warned Jake not to eat a hole

pie at one sitting, he sat at the kitchen table and pie at one sitting, he sat at the kitchen table and

proceeded to consume slice after slice.proceeded to consume slice after slice.

A.A.wholewholeB.B.setsetC.C.precededprecededD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Even though we warned Jake not to eat a Even though we warned Jake not to eat a holehole AApie at one sitting, he pie at one sitting, he satsat at the kitchen table and at the kitchen table and BBproceededproceeded to consume slice after slice. to consume slice after slice. CC


Even though we warned Jake not to eat a Even though we warned Jake not to eat a wholewhole AApie at one sitting, he pie at one sitting, he satsat at the kitchen table and at the kitchen table and BBproceededproceeded to consume slice after slice. to consume slice after slice. CC


Item 2Item 2Give Jerrod a compliment because his shoe Give 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.complementcomplementB.B.complimentcomplimentC.C.sensesenseD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Give Jerrod a Give Jerrod a complimentcompliment because his shoe because his shoe AAlaces laces complementcomplement the colors in his plaid shirt. the colors in his plaid shirt. BBHis fashion His fashion sincesince is gradually improving. is gradually improving. CC


Give Jerrod a Give Jerrod a complimentcompliment because his shoe because his shoe AAlaces laces complementcomplement the colors in his plaid shirt. the colors in his plaid shirt. BBHis fashion His fashion sensesense is gradually improving. is gradually improving. CC


Item 3Item 3

If you go by the supermarket, buy a package of If you go by the supermarket, buy a package of

hotdog buns. Than we can grill the sausage for hotdog buns. Than we can grill the sausage for

dinner.dinner.

A.A.buybuyB.B.bybyC.C.ThenThenD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

If you go If you go byby the supermarket, the supermarket, buybuy a package of a package of AA BBhotdog buns. hotdog buns. ThanThan we can grill the sausage for we can grill the sausage for CCdinner.dinner.


If you go If you go byby the supermarket, the supermarket, buybuy a package of a package of AA BBhotdog buns. hotdog buns. ThenThen we can grill the sausage for we can grill the sausage for CCdinner.dinner.


Item 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 excuse The college bookstore will not accept any excuse

if you need to return those books.if you need to return those books.

A.A.adviseadviseB.B.loseloseC.C.exceptexceptD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Heed my Heed my adviceadvice, and don’t , and don’t looseloose your receipt. your receipt. AA BBThe college bookstore will not The college bookstore will not acceptaccept any excuse any excuse CCif you need to return those books.if you need to return those books.


Heed my Heed my adviceadvice, and don’t , and don’t loselose your receipt. your receipt. AA BBThe college bookstore will not The college bookstore will not acceptaccept any excuse any excuse CCif you need to return those books.if you need to return those books.


Item 5Item 5

The heard of gazelle leaped through the air as The heard of gazelle leaped through the air as

the animals tried to elude the cheetah.the animals tried to elude the cheetah.

A.A.herdherdB.B.threwthrewC.C.alludealludeD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

The The heardheard of gazelle leaped of gazelle leaped throughthrough the air as the air as AA BBthe animals tried to the animals tried to eludeelude the cheetah. the cheetah. CC


The The herdherd of gazelle leaped of gazelle leaped throughthrough the air as the air as AA BBthe animals tried to the animals tried to eludeelude the cheetah. the cheetah. CC


Item 6Item 6

Maybe Gerald is caught in traffic, or he maybe Maybe 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 beB.B.may bemay beC.C.exceptexceptD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

MaybeMaybe Gerald is caught in traffic, or he Gerald is caught in traffic, or he maybemaybe AA BBflirting with the cute cafeteria cashier. Either way, flirting with the cute cafeteria cashier. Either way,

don’t don’t acceptaccept any excuse for his tardiness. any excuse for his tardiness. CC


MaybeMaybe Gerald is caught in traffic, or he Gerald is caught in traffic, or he may bemay be AA BBflirting with the cute cafeteria cashier. Either way, flirting with the cute cafeteria cashier. Either way,

don’t don’t acceptaccept any excuse for his tardiness. any excuse for his tardiness. CC


Item 7Item 7When there are fewer students in a class, the When there are fewer students in a class, the

professor has less worries that everyone is professor has less worries that everyone is

getting individual attention.getting individual attention.

A.A.theirtheirB.B.lesslessC.C.fewerfewerD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

When When therethere are are fewerfewer students in a class, the students in a class, the AA BBprofessor has professor has lessless worries that everyone is worries that everyone is CCgetting individual attention.getting individual attention.


When When therethere are are fewerfewer students in a class, the students in a class, the AA BBprofessor has professor has fewerfewer worries that everyone is worries that everyone is CCgetting individual attention.getting individual attention.


Item 8Item 8We were successful baking 300 cupcakes for We were successful baking 300 cupcakes for

the charity event, but today we’re exhausted after the charity event, but today we’re exhausted after

spending all night preparing the desserts.spending all night preparing the desserts.

A.A.we’rewe’reB.B.werewereC.C.desertsdesertsD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

We We werewere successful baking 300 cupcakes for successful baking 300 cupcakes for AAthe charity event, but today the charity event, but today we’rewe’re exhausted after exhausted after BBspending all night preparing the spending all night preparing the dessertsdesserts.. CC


We We werewere successful baking 300 cupcakes for successful baking 300 cupcakes for AAthe charity event, but today the charity event, but today we’rewe’re exhausted after exhausted after BBspending all night preparing the spending all night preparing the dessertsdesserts.. CC


Item 9Item 9

Gregory passed his chemistry final, so now he Gregory passed his chemistry final, so now he

won’t loose his scholarship. As he walked past won’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.pastpastB.B.loseloseC.C.passedpassedD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Gregory Gregory passedpassed his chemistry final, so now he his chemistry final, so now he AAwon’t won’t looseloose his scholarship. As he walked his scholarship. As he walked pastpast BB CCthe diner, he rewarded himself with a milkshake.the diner, he rewarded himself with a milkshake.


Gregory Gregory passedpassed his chemistry final, so now he his chemistry final, so now he AAwon’t won’t loselose his scholarship. As he walked his scholarship. As he walked pastpast BB CCthe diner, he rewarded himself with a milkshake.the diner, he rewarded himself with a milkshake.


Item 10Item 10Mr. 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 conditions He has agreed to all of the buyer’s conditions

except retiling the master bathroom since it except retiling the master bathroom since it

would be too much work.would be too much work.

A.A.acceptacceptB.B.acceptacceptC.C.sensesenseD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Mr. Ramos hopes to Mr. Ramos hopes to exceptexcept the bid on the house. the bid on the house. AAHe has agreed to all of the buyer’s conditions He has agreed to all of the buyer’s conditions

exceptexcept retiling the master bathroom retiling the master bathroom sincesince it it BB CCwould be too much work.would be too much work.


Mr. Ramos hopes to Mr. Ramos hopes to acceptaccept the bid on the house. the bid on the house. AAHe has agreed to all of the buyer’s conditions He has agreed to all of the buyer’s conditions

exceptexcept retiling the master bathroom retiling the master bathroom sincesince it it BB CCwould be too much work.would be too much work.


Grammar Bytes! provides additional handouts and exercises on commonly

confused words.Go to chompchomp.com!

The End.The End.Watch where you’re going,

fool!

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PPT Confused and Misused Words and Phrases