Name:
Commonly Confused Words
1. Than / Then

Than is used to draw comparison

Then is used to refer to time / at that time.
2. Their / They’re

There is the third person plural pronoun. It indicates a possession or relationship.

There is the contraction of “they” and “are”
3. To / Too

To is used with verbs to form with infinitive or as a preposition expressing movement of
something.

Too is used to show an extensive degree or as a synonym of “also”
4. Whose / Who’s

Whose is pronoun expressing possession

Who’s is the contraction of “who is”
5. Its / It’s

Its is the possessive of the pronoun “it”

It’s is a contraction of “it it” or “it has”
6. Your / You’re

Your is a possessive adjective that shows something belongs to you or is related to you

You’re is a contraction of “you are”
7. Effect / Affect

Effect is a result or a consequence (usually a noun). It may also function as a verb meaning “to
bring about something”

Affect is to have an impression, influence or effect on something (usually a verb)
8. Many / Much

Many is used when referring to a large but definite number – usually for countable nouns

Much is used when referring to something great in quantity, amount, extent or degree – usually
for uncountable nouns
9. Fewer / Less

Fewer is used when referring to countable nouns

Less is used when referring to uncountable and abstract nouns
10. Accept / Except

Accept is to receive or to get

Except is to exclude or not including
Exercise 1
Circle or underline the correct words.
1. Alex was ( to / too ) excited to sleep.
2. ( Their / They’re ) going to the amusement park tomorrow.
3. Nicole has ( fewer / less ) shoes than Sara.
4. John scored higher on the exam ( than / then ) I did.
5. ( Whose / Who’s ) watch is this on the counter?
6. Earlier today we walked ( to / too ) the ice cream parlour.
7. Kelly ordered her lunch, and ( than / then ) she went back to work.
8. There was too ( much / many ) chlorine in the pool.
9. Everybody turned up to Fiona’s party ( accept / except ) her ex-boyfriend.
10. My cat ate ( its / it’s ) food and then fell asleep.
11. I saw ( your / you’re ) brother at the shopping mall yesterday.
12. The new rules had a big ( affect / effect ) on the company workers.
13. ( Their / They’re ) books got damaged by the rain.
14. Will the rainy weather ( affect / effect ) your travel plans?
15. ( Your / You’re ) late. What happened?
16. The gas prices continue ( to / too ) rise.
17. ( Whose / Who’s ) responsible for the advertising of the event?
18. John had ( less / fewer ) travel time because he lives closer to the airport.
19. ( Its / It’s ) almost eight o’clock.
20. My mother always put too ( much / many ) salt when she cooks.