Word Choice Tips for clearing up
the confusion
Word choice errors tend to fall into 3 main categories.
1. Homonyms2. One-letter differences
3. Possessive/contraction confusion
Homonyms
Homonyms are words that sound alike but are spelled differently and have two different meanings and uses in a sentence.
past – opposite of the future – noun passed –what a quarterback did - verb
Homonyms
principal – person who runs the schoolprinciple – a rule or guideline
through – the direction of somethingthrew - what that QB did again
Homonyms
Knowing parts of speech helps us decide which homonym to use We ate (are, our) lunch outside today
The sentence calls for a pronoun, so “our” is the correct choice
One letter difference
A one-letter difference can change the meaning completely compliment – saying something nice complement – something that completes or brings to perfection
One letter difference
coarse – harsh or rough texture course – all other meanings, such as golf “course,” of “course”
One letter difference
To differentiate between words with only one letter difference,
try creating a memory cueFor example, “coarse,” like its definition, “harsh,” has an “a” in it.
Possessive/contraction confusion
Words such as your/ you’re,
their/ they’re, and its/ it’s are the most commonly confused
pairs
Possessive/contraction confusion
You’re responsible for
your books.
You’re = you areYour = possession
Possessive/contraction confusion
It’s time for the cat to feed its kittens.
It’s = It isIts = possession
Possessive/contraction confusion
They’re determined to reach their goals.
They’re = They aretheir = possessive
Possessive/contraction confusion
Since contractions are not appropriate for English essays,
avoid their use.
Writing out the contraction will solve your
possessive/contraction confusion!
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