Commonly Confused Words

1. Commonly Confused Words

2. Your vs. You’re • Your (adj)- the possessive form of you that indicates ownership • Ex. Please place all of your books on the floor before we begin the test. • You’re- contraction of you are • There is no question that you’regoing to do well in the debate.

3. Practice 1. Call me when ________ home safely. 2. If ________ still working on ________ project, raise your hand. 3. The race is over and ________ the fastest. 4. ________ parked in the wrong spot; ________ car will get towed away. 5. My parents are friends with ________ parents.

4. Its vs. It’s • Its (pronoun)- owned by; belonging to • Ex. A horse uses its tail to swat flies and other insects. • It’s- contraction of it is (or it has) • Ex. I don’t want to go into any more detail about your birthday present; it’s a secret.

5. Practice 1. Its color is deep red, almost burgundy. 2. I’m glad to see you; _____  been a long time. 3. It was _____ first time out of the cage. 4. _____ feet were covered with sand. 5. Get up, _____ time for school.

6. There vs. Their vs. They’re Their (pronoun)- the possessive case of the pronoun they, indicating ownership; usually used as an adjective * Ex. Grant and Hunter gave their best performance on the second night of the play. • There (adv)- of or at a place; to, into, or toward a place • Ex. There are several reasons why I don’t want to dance. • Ex. Over there is the door the president will walk through. • They’re- contraction of they are • Ex. They’re supposed to give you the answer before we proceed with the project.

7. Practice 1. They always take __________dog with them on holiday.     2. Let's wait _________ alongside the entrance.    3. Ask them if _________ coming tomorrow.     4. My parents won't be coming as _________ both working on Saturday.    5. The teacher told them to leave ______ books on her desk.    

8. Than vs. Then • Than (conj)- used for comparisons; used to introduce the second element or clause of a comparison of inequality • Ex. You are far more intelligent than you think. • Then (adv)- at that time in the past; next in time, order, or space; at another time in the future; in that case; in addition; besides; yet; on the other hand • Ex. Let’s go to the movies and then go out to eat.

9. Practice 1. Even at the age of twelve she was taller _______ me. 2. _______, out of nowhere, she started to dance. 3. Swiss cheese is much better ________ cheddar. 4. I want to go to a restaurant _______to the party. 5. I loved the movie The Notebook, but ________, I love sappy movies.

10. Affect vs. Effect • Affect (vb)- to influence • Ex. Your criticism affects people in a negative way. • Effect (n)- the result of some action • Ex. New Englanders have felt the effect of Mother Nature this winter.

11. Practice 1. The __________ of the preacher's words on the young boy's life was astounding. 2.Sheila was surprised that her book could __________ people so profoundly. 3. Meditation had an obvious __________ on Mandy's general behavior. 4. Patty realized her criticism had no __________ on Roger's poor work. 5. Patty's harsh words didn't __________ Roger as much as he had anticipated.

12. Accept vs. Except • Accept (vb)- to receive willingly • Ex. John accepted the trophy on behalf of the entire team. • Except (preposition)- but; excluding • Ex. Everyone except Beth went out for pizza after the dance.

13. Practice 1. ____for this application, the rest meet the requirements for the job. 2. It is often difficult for other cultures to _____ each other. 3. Even though it is late, I will still _____ the assignment. 4. I enjoy all of her books _____ her most recent novel. 5. Joni worked hard to be ______ed into the honors society.

14. Farther vs. Further • Farther (adv)- at or to a greater distance (used to refer to a measurable distance) • Ex. Texas is farther west than Louisiana. • Further (adj or adv)- greater in time, degree, or extent; additionally • Ex. Frankly, I have no further interest in arguing with you over such trivia.

15. Practice 1. The _________ you go in the study of psychology, the more fascinating it becomes. 2. I walk _________ to work than I do to the ballpark for Sunday’s softball games. 3. I rode my bicycle _______ down the road than Maggie did. 4. There is no question we need _________ review to be ready for the exam. 5. The evidence was extensive and offered ________ proof of the defendant’s guilt.

16. Whose vs. Who’s • Whose (adj, pronoun)- the possessive form of who that indicates ownership • Ex. I don’t care whose book this is; it needs to be covered. • Who’s- contraction of who is • Who’s the winner of the raffle?

17. Practice 1. Mary, ________ raincoat was missing, got soaked on the first day of school. 2. This is my brother, ________an accountant. 3. _________ the president of the United States? 4. _________ not done with his or her assignments? 5. _________ drink is this on the counter?