Commonly confused words

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PRESENTS

Commonly Confused Words

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Accept / Except

Affect / Effect

Already / all ready

Aisle / Isle

Everyday / Every day

complement / compliment

Dessert / Desert

Beside / Besides

Everyone / Every one

Farther / Further

Past / Passed

Lose / Loose

Then / Than

Prescribe / Proscribe

Principal / Principle

Weather / Whether

accept / except

Accept is a verb. It has four meanings:

to receive something offered, especially with approval

Example:

to admit to a group or organization

Example:

to answer affirmatively, especially to an invitation

Example:

Example:

to regard as true

Except is a preposition. It means "but" and indicates an "exception."

Example:

Note the correct use of both accept and except in the example below.

5. If you (accept except ) the ring, you'll have to marry the bum.

4. Please put everything (accept except ) pickles on my hamburger.

3. The soup will cure anything (accept except ) flat feet.

2. Please ( accept except ) this pot of Mom's chicken soup.

1. All of the soldiers (accept except ) my brother are out of step.except

accept

except

accept

except

Accept / Except - Exercise

Choose the correct word in each sentence below. Just click on each sentence to see the correct answer.

affect / effect

First, notice how each word looks different from the other.

affect starts with a

effect starts with e

Even though a should sound different from e, we pronounce these two words alike. Therefore, we often have difficulty deciding which one to use in our writing.

Affect

Affect is usually a verb.

Affect means "to influence" or "to produce a change in."

Example of affect in a sentence

Since affect means "to influence" or "produce a change in" in this sentence, it is the correct word to use here.

Since the verb affect is related to the noun affection, sentences using affect often deal with changes in or influences on emotional states.

Example

Since affected (past tense) means "influenced" or "produced a change in" in this sentence, it is the correct word to use here.

Affect is used as a noun in psychology to indicate one's emotional state or behavior.NOTE

:

Effect

While affect is always a verb, effect is usually a noun.

As a noun, effect means "the result," "the change," or "the influence."

As affect, a verb "produces a change," effect, a noun, is the "change" or "result."

Example of effect used as a noun

Since effect means an "influence" in this sentence, it is the correct word to use here.

http://www.towson.edu/ows/nouns.htm

Another example of effect used as a noun

Since effect means the "result" or "change" in this sentence, it is the correct word to use here.

Effect is sometimes, though not often, used as a verb, meaning "to cause."Example of effect used as a verb

Since effect, a verb here, means "to cause," it is the correct word to use in this sentence.

2. Bridge washouts are often an (affect effect) of floods.

3. He tried in vain to (affect effect) a different opinion in the crowd.

5. Weather conditions (affect effect) many people's moods.

Affect / Effect - Exercise

Choose the correct word in each sentence below. Click on the sentence to see the correct answer.

1. I will try not to let his words (affect effect) me.affect

effect

effect

affect

4. Jim was seriously (affected effected) by his cousin's death.affected

aisle / isle

An aisle ( noun) is a space between two rows of seats.

Example

An isle (noun) is a small island or peninsula.

Example

already / all ready

Already refers to time.

It may mean "by this time.

Example of already in a sentence

Already may also mean "by the time mentioned."

Example of already in a sentence

The words all and ready, when used together, mean "completely prepared."

Example of all ready in a sentence.

1. After attending one class, I am (already all ready) tired.

2. My family was finally (already all ready).

3. (Already All ready) Jane is bored with her new boyfriend.

4. The dogs have (already all ready) been taken to the vet.

5. The clothes are (already all ready) to be washed.

6. Is everyone (already all ready) for the big test?

all ready

already

all ready

all ready

Already

already

Already / All Ready - Exercise

Choose the correct word in each sentence below. Click on the sentence to see the correct answer.

beside / besides

BesideBeside is a preposition, meaning

next to

Beside has two additional meanings when used in idiomatic expressions.

Note:

1. not relevant to

Example

Example2. in a state of extreme excitement

Besides

Besides is a preposition. It has two meanings:

1. other than, exceptExample

2. in addition toExample

Beside / Besides - Exercise

Choose the correct word in each sentence below. Click on the sentence to see the correct answer. besides

1. Don't trip over the cord (beside ) my desk.

2. The fact that my hair is orange today is (beside besides) the point; I am still your mother.

3. (Beside Besides) my occupation as a janitor, I work nights in a factory and weekends at McDonalds.

4. A nervous Joe attempted to stand (beside besides) the beautiful Missy in their class picture.

5. None of Barney's friends, (beside besides) Andy, would listen to his horrendous vocal performances.

beside

Besides

besides

beside

beside

complement / compliment

The words complement and compliment are sometimes confused because they look so similar. These words, however, have two distinctly different meanings.

Complement may be a verb or a noun.

As a verb, complement means to complete, to bring to perfection, to go well with.

Examples

As a noun, complement refers to the thing which gives completion or perfection.

Examples

Compliment may be a verb or a noun.

As a verb, compliment means to offer praise or flattery.

Examples

As a noun, compliment refers to the praise or flattery offered.

Examples

dessert / desertdessert

Dessert (pronounced dee-SERT)is always a noun. It means a sweet dish, like ice cream or fruit, served at the end of a meal.

Example

Hint: Remember that dessert is spelled with two s's as in strawberry shortcake.

Note

desert (with only one s)

1. Desert (pronounced DEH-sert) can be a noun. As a noun, desert means a barren or desolate area.

Example

2. Desert (pronounced deh-SERT) can also be a verb. As a verb, desert means to abandon.

Example

Desert / Dessert - Exercise Choose the correct word in each sentence below. Click on the sentence to see the correct answer. besides

1. Karen said that her chocolate (desert dessert ) was delicious.

5. The doctor recommended that I cut alcohol and ( desert dessert ) from my diet to help me lose weight.

4. Ryan ( deserted desserted ) his friends at the party to give Candy a ride home.

3. A ( desert's dessert's ) low humidity causes its extreme temperatures.

2. The world's largest hot ( desert dessert ) is the Sahara.

dessert

dessert

desert

desert’s

deserted

everyday / every day

Everyday is an adjective used show something as commonplace or usual. Everyday is always followed by the noun it modifies.

Example

Every day is an adverbial phrase of time used to show something happening each day.

Example

Note: Be careful not to use everyday when you should use every day.


Everyday / Every Day - Exercise

1. It is important to drink eight cups of water (everyday every day).

2. Norman's struggle to open the window was an (everyday every day) event.

3. Personally, I find going to the store an (everyday every day) adventure.

4. (Everyday Every day) I find myself pondering the meaning of life.

5. Carla never gets annoyed by such an (everyday every day) frustration.

everyday

every day

everyday

every day

Every day

everyone / every oneEveryone is an indefinite pronoun specifying every person.

Example

Every one is an adjectival phrase used to specify each person or thing, or every person or thing of those named.

Example

Everyone / Every One - ExerciseChoose the correct word in each sentence below. Click on the sentence to see the correct answer. besides

1. (Everyone Every one) of those DVDs is mine.

2. I knew that (everyone every one) would be having fun.

3. Jane couldn't believe that (everyone every one) thought she was married.

4. It is curious that (everyone every one) of the cats is female.

5 Perhaps later, (everyone every one) could come by.

everyone

every one

Every one

everyone

everyone

farther / further

Both farther and further are adverbs.

Farther, the comparative form of far, refers to

physical distance

physical space in actual measurements

Example

Example

Example

Further refers to thought or discussion and indicates additional or greater detail.

Further may refer to figurative space, but not to physical space.

Farther / Further - Exercise

1. David told me that we'd talk (farther further) tomorrow.


2. Billy found that he could throw the ball (farther further) than anyone else.

3. A little bit of water in the mixture makes the paint go (farther further).

4. I wish the professor had discussed this (farther further).

5. The (farther further) you talk it over with Harold, the more confused he becomes.

farther

further

further

further

farther

lose / loose

Lose, pronounced /luz/ is a verb. Lose has three possible meanings:

to "misplace" something,

to "fail to win," or

to "be deprived of" something.

The past tense of lose is lost.

Example of lose meaning to "misplace" something

Example of lose meaning to "fail to win"

Example of lose meaning to "be deprived of"

Loose, pronounced like goose and moose, is an adjective. Loose has two possible meanings:

"not fastened," or

"not tight fitting."

Example of loose meaning "not fastened"

Example of loose meaning "not tight fitting"

Lose / Loose - Exercise Choose the correct word in each sentence below. Click on the sentence to see the correct answer. besides

1. Clothes that are (lose loose) are comfortable but often not flattering.

2. Sometimes people (lose loose) their composure when they are surprised.

3. Do not (lose loose) your glasses when you put on your sunglasses.

4. The screw on the swing is (lose loose,) so tighten it.

5. I don't want to (lose loose) your keys.lose

loose

loose

lose

lose

past / passed

Past has three different meanings.1. Past can be a noun, meaning "what has already happened."

Example

2. Past can be an adjective, meaning "gone by" or "ended."

Examples

3. Past can be a preposition, meaning "beyond" or "by."

Example

Review: Past can be an noun, adjective, or preposition.

Past is never a verb.

Passed is always a verb.

Passed is formed by adding -ed to the present tense verb, pass.It indicates the past tense of pass.

Example of passed as the verb in a sentence

Example of passed preceded by an auxiliary verb

Remember: Past is never a verb.

BUTPassed is always a verb.

Past / Passed - ExerciseChoose the correct word in each sentence below. Click on the sentence to see the correct answer. besides

1. Write this essay in the (past passed) tense.

2. The two ships (past passed) each other without a sound.

3. The two ships went (past passed) each other without a sound.

4. By the time I saw him, he had already (past passed) me.

5. Have we(past passed) the monument yet?

past

past

passed

passed

passed

prescribe / proscribe

Prescribe is a verb used in favor of an idea or action. It means

to set rules

to advise or recommend

to allow by law

Example

Proscribe is a verb used against an idea or action. It means

to forbid or prohibit

to condemn

to not allow by law

Example


Prescribe / Proscribe - Exercise

1. The doctor (prescribed proscribed) against the old folk remedy of treating colds with live frogs.

2. My mother (prescribed proscribed) a treatment of hot soup and bed rest.

3. The chief justice (prescribed proscribed) a strict program for the delinquent teens.

4. I will strongly (prescribe proscribe) you from taking that action.

5. State traffic laws (prescribe proscribe) driving over the speed limit.

prescribed

proscribe

prescribed

proscribe

proscribed

principal / principle

Principal can function as an adjective or a noun.

As an adjective, principal means:

first, highest, or leading in value or importance

Example

As a noun, principal means:

the head, chief, or director (especially of a school)

Example

Hint: Remember that principal ends with -pal. The principal is your pal.

Principle is always a noun that can mean:

a rule of conduct or action

Example

a fundamental or general law, truth, doctrine, or tenet

Example

Hint: Remember that principle and rule both end with -le.

Principal / Principle - Exercise


1. A cheesecake's ( principal principle) ingredients are cream cheese and sugar.

2. The district attorney assigned her office's ( principal principle) prosecutor to the highly publicized trial.

3. Lisa is vegetarian because her (principals principles) tell her that all life has value.

4. Lisa's (principal principle) dietary concern is getting enough protein, vitamins, and minerals from non-meat sources.

5. Boyle's Law describes the (principal principle) that an enclosed gas's pressure and volume are inversely related.

principal

principle

principal

principal

principles

then, than

Then has two meanings.

1. Then usually refers to time, meaning "at that time."

Example of then meaning "at that time"

2. Then can also be used as a transition to mean "in that case" or "therefore."

Example of then meaning "in that case" or "therefore"

Than is used only when comparing items. (Then is never used in comparisons.)

Examples of than used to compare items

Hint: Both than and comparing are spelled with an a.

Therefore, use than when you are comparing things

Then / Than - Exercise


1. My jack-o-lantern is far better (then, than) any other jack-o-lantern.

2. First, we study the homework; (then, than) we take the test.

3. If you come with me, (then, than) you want to live.

4. This class scores higher (then, than) any other class.

5. He leapt on the thief, tied him up, and (then, than) called the police.

then

than

then

then

than

weather / whether

Weather, a noun, refers to atmospheric conditions, such as rain, sunshine, cloudiness, and temperature.

Example of weather in a sentence

Whether introduces a possibility, a choice.

Example of whether in a sentence

Often, whether is followed by or, either immediately or later in a sentence.

Example of whether followed immediately by or

Example of whether followed by or later in a sentence

Whether / Weather - Exercise


1. I do not care (whether weather) you agree or not.

2. I do not care about the (whether weather).

3. Marcus doesn't know (whether weather) he should come or go.

4. (Whether Weather) you agree or not, I am going with you.

5. (Whether Weather) often causes distressing changes of mood in some people.

Whether

Weather

whether

whether

weather

Education

Commonly confused words