Frequently Confused Word Pairs Notes and Examples SPI

Frequently Confused Word Pairs: Notes and Examples SPI 3002. 1. 13 Select the appropriate word in frequently confused pairs (i. e. , to/too/two, their/there/they’re, it/it’s, you/you’re, whose/who’s, which/that/who, accept/except, affect/effect, between/among, capitol/capital, principal/principle, stationary/stationery, who/whom, allusion/illusion, complement/compliment, cite/sight, counsel/council, coarse/course, farther/further, lose/loose, fewer/less, advice/advise, precede/proceed, adapt/adopt, eminent/imminent, assure/ensure/insure).

affect / effect – Affect is a verb meaning “to influence. ” • Use affect in sentences meaning influences, such as, “The prosecutor’s speech affected the jury’s decision. ” • “The bright colors affect how the patients feel. ”

– Use effect as a verb to mean “to bring about” or “to accomplish. ” • This word effect is used only for specific meaning, such as “The treatment will effect a cure for the disease. ” • Note: This sentence came directly from a grammar book. However, the grammar checking program on Microsoft Word flags it as incorrect with “affect” as the correction. The grammar checking program is incorrect.

affect / effect • “High gas prices did not effect a change in most people’s travel habits. ” • Notice that “effect” as a verb usually has a specific direct object with it to focus attention on that which is focused or brought about.

affect / effect • Typically, “effect” is used as a noun to mean “the result of some action. ” – Example: “The bright colors have a beneficial effect on the patients. ” – Example: “The hurricane had a devastating effect on Mississippi’s economy. ”

off / off of Do not use off or off of to replace from. • Here’s the money I borrowed off you. (incorrect) • Here’s the money I borrowed from you. (correct)

kind of / sort of *In formal situations, avoid using either of these expressions for the adverb rather or somewhat. • The waves were sort of rough. (incorrect) • The waves were rather [or somewhat] rough. (correct)

a while / awhile • *The noun while, often preceded by the article a, means a “period of time. ” • *Awhile is an adverb meaning “for a short period of time. ” • I haven’t heard from your pen a while. • I usually read awhile before to bed. pal for going

all ready / already • all ready (adjective) *all prepared • already (adverb) *previously • We were all ready to leave. • We had already painted the sets.

suppose to / supposed to • *To express an intention or plan, use the verb form supposed before an infinitive. • We were supposed to (not suppose to) meet Wendy at eight o’ clock.

who’s, whose • *Who’s is the contraction of who is or who has. • *Whose is the possessive for of who. • Who’s [who is] the narrator of Christmas Memory”? • Whose autobiography is Black Boy? “A titled

which, that, who • *Who refers to persons only. • *Which refers to things only. • *That may refer to either persons or things. • Isn’t Walt Whitman the poet who [or that] wrote Leaves of Grass? [person] • They decided to replace Miss Forestier’s necklace, which they did not know was fake. [thing] • The necklace that the Loisels bought thirty-six thousand francs. [thing] cost

who / whom • *Who – (nominative case) is a pronoun used as a subject in sentences and subordinate clauses. • Who gave Michelle the beautiful flowers? • The man who gave Michelle the her husband. flowers is

who / whom • *Whom – (objective case) is a pronoun used as a direct object in sentences and subordinate clauses. • You baked these delicious cookies for whom? • The teachers wondered whom the selected as class president. seniors

your, you’re • *Your is a possessive form of you. • *You’re is the contraction of you are. • What is your opinion of General Zaroff? • You’re [you are] my best friend.

its, it’s • *Its is the possessive form of it. • *It’s is the contraction of it is or it has. • The bird has stopped its singing. • It’s [it is] an easy problem. • It’s [it has] been raining since noon.

their, there, they’re • *Their is a possessive form of they. • *As an adverb, there means “at that place. ” There is also used to begin a sentence. • *They’re is the contraction of they are. • Harry Pope lay there quietly. • There is a conflict between Odysseus and the • Their daughter, Juliet, was in love with a • They’re throwing pebbles at Miss Lottie’s flowers. Cyclops. Montague.

counsel, council • *As a noun, counsel means “advice. ” • *As a verb, counsel means “give advice. ” • *Council is a noun meaning “group called together to accomplish a job. ” • I’m grateful for your counsel. [noun] • Did the doctor counsel her to more rest? [verb] • The city council will debate the issue. get

accept, except • *Accept is a verb that means “to receive” or “to agree to. ” • *Except is usually a preposition meaning “but. ” • *Except may also be a verb that means “to leave out or exclude. ” • Will accept our thanks? • Everyone will be there except you. • The government excepts people very low incomes from paying taxes. with

between, among • *In general use among to show a relationship in which more than two persons or things are considered as a group. • The committee will distribute the clothing among the poor the community. • There was confusion among players on the field. used families in the

between, among • *In general, use between to show a relationship involving two persons or things, or to compare one person or thing with an entire group. • Mr. and Mrs. Ito live halfway between Seattle and Portland. [relationship involving places. ] • Emilo could not decide between collie, the cocker spaniel, and [items within a group] two the beagle.

allusion, illusion • *An allusion is an indirect reference. • *An illusion is a false idea or appearance. • Her speech included an allusion to one of Robert Frost’s poems. • The shimmering heat produced illusion of water on the road. an

capital, capitol • *A capital is a city that is the seat of government. • *Capital can also mean “money or property. ” • *As an adjective, capital can mean “involving execution” or “referring to uppercase letter. ” • *Capitol, on the other hand, refers only building in which a legislature meets. an to a

capital, capitol • What is the capital of Vermont? • Anyone starting a business needs capital. • Capital punishment is not used in state. • Hester Prynne embroidered a capital her dress. • The capitol has a gold dome. this A on

cite, sight • *To cite is “to quote or refer to”. • Cite can also mean “to summon to appear in a court of law. ” • *As a noun, sight means “vision. ” a verb, sight means “to see. ” • *As a noun, site is a place or a location. As

cite, sight • Consuela cited three sources of information in her report. • The officer cited the driver for speeding. • My sight is perfect. [noun] • The board of education has chosen a site for the new high school. [noun]

complement, compliment • *As a noun, complement means “something that completes”; as a verb, it means “to complete. ” • *As a noun, compliment means, “a flattering remark”; as a verb, it means “to praise. ” • This purple scarf complements your perfectly. outfit • Phyllis received many compliments her speech. on

to, too, two • *To means “in the direction of”’ it is also part of the infinitive form of a verb. • *Too means “very” or “also. ” • *Two is the number after one. • John walks to school. • She likes to read mystery books. • We have two kittens.

stationary, stationery • *Stationary means “fixed” or “unmoving. ” • *Stationery is writing paper. • This classroom has stationary desks. • Rhonda likes to write letters on pretty stationery.

principal, principle • *As a noun, principal means “head of a school”; it can also mean “a sum of money borrowed or invested. ” • *As an adjective, principal means “main” or “chief. ” • *Principle is a noun meaning “basic truth or belief” “rule of conduct. ” • Mr. Schneitman, our principal, will speak at the assembly. [noun] or morning • What was your principal reason for joining the club? [adjective] • The principle of fair play is important in sports.

lose, loose • *The adjective loose means “free, ” “not firmly attached, ” or “not fitting tightly. ” • *The verb lose means “to misplace” “to fail to win. ” • Don’t lose that loose button on shirt. • If we lose this game, we’ll be out of tournament. or your the

farther, further • *Use farther in referring to physical distance. • *Use further in all other situations. • San Antonio is farther south than Dallas. • We have nothing further to discuss.

• How much further is it to Grandmother’s house? • INCORRECT

fewer, less • *Use fewer with nouns that can be counted. • *Use less with nouns that can’t be counted. • *Less may also be used with numbers that are considered as single amounts or single quantities. • There were few students in my math than in my physics class. • I used less sugar than the recipe recommended. • I can be there in less than thirty minutes. class

coarse, course • *Coarse means “rough, ” “crude, ” “not fine, ” “of poor quality. • *Course can mean “a school subject, ” “a path or way, ” “order or development, ” or “part of a meal. ” • To begin, I will need some coarse sandpaper for my project. • Mrs. Baldwin won’t tolerate coarse • Are you taking any math courses this year? language.

assure / ensure / unsure • *Assure means “to state with confidence. ” • *Ensure means “to secure or guarantee” or “to make sure or certain. ” • *Insure means “to guarantee against loss or harm” issue or procure an insurance policy. ” or “to • Joey assured his mother that his homework finished. was • Diligent preparation will ensure your success this class. • The bank insists that I insure my new car before I drive it. in

eminent, imminent • *The adjective eminent means “high in state or rank, ” “lofty, ” “high, ” or “prominent. ” • *The adjective imminent means “likely to occur at any moment. ” • The Pope is an eminent figure in some circles. • Since the storm was imminent, the game was postponed. religious baseball

advice, advise • *Advice (noun) is “an opinion offered as a guide to action. ” • *Advise (verb) is “to give counsel to” or “to offer an opinion or suggestion. ” • The Pope is an eminent figure some religious circles. in • Since the storm was imminent, baseball game was postponed. the