Stafford/American Lit/Easily Confused Words
Your Name: ______________________
Than/Then
Arjun likes his math class more than he likes his literature class.
Lauren went to math then English.
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Advice/Advise
Elena gave Brooke some advice about whether or not going to prom as a junior was a good idea.
Elena advised Brooke not to go to prom with a boy she didn’t know.
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Affect/Effect
Eric had no idea how much his poem would affect the reader.
Eric’s poem had a powerful effect on the reader.
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Accept/Except
Please accept Aaron’s apology; he didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.
Aaron apologized to everyone except Ms. Stafford.
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Already/All ready
“It’s already 12:33pm,” said Matt.
“We are all ready to leave class,” said Matt.
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Everyday/Every day
Julian says that Ms. Stafford’s calling him out has become an everyday occurrence.
Ms. Stafford called out Julian every day this week.
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Altogether/All together
Ms. Mattocks and Ms. Stafford teach a different class altogether.
When we are all together in Ms. Mattocks and Ms. Stafford’s block, it’s hard to pay attention.
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Less/Fewer
There are fewer people in period four than in period five.
Period four is less inclined to goof off.
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Who/Whom
Whom are you inviting to the party?
Who is coming to the party?
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Lie/Lay
Lay it out first, and then use the glue.
Lie down before you start the project – you’re too tired to start it.
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Its/It’s
Could have; Should have/Could of; Should of
Your/You’re
Here/Hear
There/Their/They’re
Thorough/Through
Who’s/Whose
COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS PRACTICE
Instructions: These are common words that cause problems for readers and writers because although
they are spelled differently, they sound the same. Choose the correct word from the option.
1. I always (loose, lose) track of time.
3. This is in (plane, plain) English.
4. (Your, You’re) going to the circus, aren’t you?
5. (There, Their, They’re) the only people going to the party.
6. Isn’t that (your, you’re) transistor radio?
7. (It’s, Its) my birthday today.
8. After we eat (desert, dessert), let’s go see a movie.
9. Are we (already, all ready) to go?
10. My dog buried his bone (here, hear).
11. Camels travel well on the (desert, dessert).
12. Stormy (whether, weather) is due tomorrow.
13. We signal our dog to stay (quite, quiet) by touching her collar.
14. The inspector knew (whose, who’s) keys they were.
15. Did you walk (to, too, two) school today?
16. Phyllis is (there, their, they’re) daughter.
17. Honesty is a good (principal, principle) to live by.
18. Moses (lead, led) them to the Promised Land.
19. Everyone (except, accept) me went to the school dance.
20. I ordered (stationary, stationery) with my name on it.
21. The horse stamped (its, it’s) foot (to, too, two) times.
22. (May, Can) I go the to party tonight at Jan’s house?
23. I’m too tired. I don’t think I could run one inch (further, farther).
24. (Less, Fewer) people live in Russia than China.
25. I used to do (alright, all right) in science, but recently, I don’t like it (alot, a lot).
26. My brother will go to (a, an) university next year.
27. (Witch, which) house is yours; why does that (witch, which) look scary?
28. I think I know (who’s, whose) it is.
29. I haven’t (quite, quiet) finished.
30. The police made a (through, thorough) search of the house.
31. His (advice, advise) is usually very good.
MORE COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS PRACTICE
1. I couldn’t decide ( which / witch ) color shoes I wanted.
2. If a cat falls ( of / off ) the counter, it will land on its feet.
3. Make sure you do ( your / you’re ) homework right after school.
4. I talked ( to / too / two ) my brother yesterday.
5. ( Are / Our ) you going to be on ( are / our ) baseball team?
6. He bought ( to / too / two ) speakers ( to / too / two ) complete his stereo system.
7. I saw ( their / there / they’re ) mom sitting ( their / there / they’re).
8. I think ( their / there / they’re ) in trouble!
9. New surgeries for blind people can restore ( their / there / they’re ) sight.
10. The dog chewed on ( its / it’s ) squeaky toy.
11. My neighbor dressed as a ( which / witch ) for Halloween.
12. She couldn’t remember ( were / where ) she had put her purse.
13. I would rather be poor and happy ( than / then ) rich and sad.
14. Do you think ( its / it’s ) going to rain?
15. ( Know No ), you may not go to that concert unless ( your / you’re ) 18.
16. After practice, I walked ( strait / straight ) to my bed, ( to / too ) tired to eat.
17. ( Were / Where ) you scared during the movie at all?
18. Clean your room, and ( than / then ) you may watch TV.
19. The site of the new shopping mall will be over ( their / there / they’re ).
20. ( Which / Witch ) ( of / off ) them do you want?
21. I ( hear here ) that you’ve won a trip to Europe.
22. I do not ( no / know ) the answer to this problem.
23. I’m not sure ( weather / whether ) it will rain this weekend or not.
24. My friends have seen me ( threw / through ) some difficult times.
25. She was ( quiet / quite ) surprised by her birthday present.
26. If the ( weather / whether ) is bad, we will have to cancel our camping trip.
27. In study hall, all students must be ( quiet / quite ).
28. He ( threw / through ) the ball right ( hear / here ) and broke a car window.
Altogether/All together
“Altogether” is an adverb meaning entirely or completely.
Example: These claims are altogether (entirely) false.
“All together” means simultaneously.
Example: The audience responded all together (simultaneously).
Everyday/Every day
“Everyday” is an adjective meaning ordinary or usual.
Example: These are our everyday (usual) low prices.
“Every day” means each day.
Example: The associates sort the merchandise every day (each day).
Maybe/May be
“Maybe” is an adverb meaning perhaps.
“May be” is a verb phrase meaning might be.
Example: Maybe (perhaps) the next batch will be better than this one. On the other hand, it may be
(might be) worse.
“Accept” is a verb meaning to receive willingly or to approve.
Example: This instructor accepts late essays.
“Except” is a verb meaning to exclude or leave out.
Example: I love all cats, except black ones.
“Affect” is a verb meaning alter, inspire or move emotionally or imitate.
Example: How will this plan affect (alter) our jobs?
“Effect” is a noun meaning consequences; as a verb, it means cause.
Example: What effects (consequence) will this restructuring have on profits?
Than/Then
“Than” is a conjunctive word used to make a comparison.
Example: I like cheese cake better than pie.
“Then” is an adverb telling when or meaning next.
Advice/Advise
Example: Then (next), the group discussed the ways in which the new procedures would work better.
“Advice” is a noun meaning suggestion or suggestions. It rhymes with “ice.”
Example: That was the best advice (suggestion) I’ve received so far.
“Advise” is a verb meaning suggest to or warn. It rhymes with “wise.”
Example: We advise (suggest to) you to proceed carefully.
Affect/Effect
“Already” is an adverb meaning as early as this, previously, or by the same time.
Example: We had already (previously) finished the job.
At the age of four, Bridgette is already (as early as this) reading.
“All ready” means completely ready.
Example: We are all ready (completely ready) to go to the movies.