Confused and Misused Words and Phrases

1. Confused and Misused Words and Phrases Dude, the right word is affect, with an a. No, you’re wrong. The word should be effect, with an e.

2. This presentation advices you on words or phrases that are commonly misused or confused. Dude, that’s advises, with an s, not a c.

3. On the Explore Test,an item evaluating this skill might look like this ...

4. Sample Item • My friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, so they’re • hoping that their lunch stays down, for their are • rumors that health inspectors cited the filthy kitchen. • their • they’re • there • No change is necessary. • My friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, so they’reA • hoping that their lunch stays down, for their are • BC • rumors that health inspectors cited the filthy kitchen. • their • they’re • there • No change is necessary. • My friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, so they’reA • hoping that their lunch stays down, for there are • BC • rumors that health inspectors cited the filthy kitchen. • their • they’re • there • No change is necessary. Is the word confused or misused at A, B, or C?

5. Recognize misspelled/correctly spelled words and phrases. X X X X Spelled wrong!

6. Recognize the distinctions among related words. Know these differences!

7. Know the difference that a single new letter can make. More to learn!

8. Know the difference a change to a single letter can make. Why is English so complicated?

9. Don’t let these homonyms [sound alike words] confuse you.

10. Usetoas a preposition. • Jonathan drove to the seafood shop. • He hoped to buy fresh squid. • Use too to show degree. • The squid was too expensive to purchase. • Use too as a synonym for also. • The fresh octopus looked delicious, too. • Use two when you mean the number. • Jonathan bought two flounder filets instead. To, Too, Two

11. At many objective exams, you cannot use a dictionary! X

12. When in doubt, rely on “gut” feelings. Your eyes have seenin print—and your brain has registered—all of the possible words that you will encounter for this skill. If you don’t recognizethe right answer, go with the one that feelsright. Hey, I’ve seen that word before!

13. Quick Test Directions: In the items that follow, choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.” Your turn! Let’s see what you can do!

14. Item 1 • Even though we warned Jake not to eat a hole • pie at one sitting, he sat at the kitchen table and • proceeded to consume slice after slice. • whole • set • preceded • No change is necessary. • Even though we warned Jake not to eat a hole • A • pie at one sitting, he sat at the kitchen table and • B • proceeded to consume slice after slice. • C • whole • set • preceded • No change is necessary. • Even though we warned Jake not to eat a hole • A • pie at one sitting, he sat at the kitchen table and • B • proceeded to consume slice after slice. • C • whole • set • preceded • No change is necessary.

15. Item 2 • Give Jerrod a compliment because his shoe • laces complement the colors in his plaid shirt. • His fashion since is gradually improving. • complement • compliment • sense • No change is necessary. • Give Jerrod a compliment because his shoe A • laces complement the colors in his plaid shirt. B • His fashion since is gradually improving. • C • complement • compliment • sense • No change is necessary. • Give Jerrod a compliment because his shoe A • laces complement the colors in his plaid shirt. B • His fashion sinceis gradually improving. • C • complement • compliment • sense • No change is necessary.

16. Item 3 • If you go by the supermarket, buy a package of • hotdog buns. Than we can grill the sausage for • dinner. • buy • by • Then • No change is necessary. • If you go by the supermarket, buy a package of • AB • hotdog buns. Than we can grill the sausage for • C • dinner. • buy • by • Then • No change is necessary. • If you go by the supermarket, buy a package of • AB • hotdog buns. Thanwe can grill the sausage for • C • dinner. • buy • by • Then • No change is necessary.

17. Item 4 • Heed my advice, and don’t loose your receipt. • The college bookstore will not accept any excuse • if you need to return those books. • advise • lose • except • No change is necessary. • Heed my advice, and don’t loose your receipt. • AB • The college bookstore will not accept any excuse • C • if you need to return those books. • advise • lose • except • No change is necessary. • Heed my advice, and don’t looseyour receipt. • AB • The college bookstore will not accept any excuse • C • if you need to return those books. • advise • lose • except • No change is necessary.

18. Item 5 • The heard of gazelle leaped through the air as • the animals tried to elude the cheetah. • herd • threw • allude • No change is necessary. • The heard of gazelle leaped through the air as AB • the animals tried to elude the cheetah. • C • herd • threw • allude • No change is necessary. • The heardof gazelle leaped through the air as AB • the animals tried to elude the cheetah. • C • herd • threw • allude • No change is necessary.

19. Item 6 • Maybe Gerald is caught in traffic, or he maybe • flirting with the cute cafeteria cashier. Either way, • don’t accept any excuse for his tardiness. • May be • may be • except • No change is necessary. • Maybe Gerald is caught in traffic, or he maybe • AB • flirting with the cute cafeteria cashier. Either way, • don’t accept any excuse for his tardiness. • C • May be • may be • except • No change is necessary. • Maybe Gerald is caught in traffic, or he maybe • AB • flirting with the cute cafeteria cashier. Either way, • don’t accept any excuse for his tardiness. • C • May be • may be • except • No change is necessary.

20. Item 7 • We were successful baking 300 cupcakes for • the charity event, but today we’re exhausted after • spending all night preparing the desserts. • we’re • were • deserts • No change is necessary. • We were successful baking 300 cupcakes for A • the charity event, but today we’re exhausted after • B • spending all night preparing the desserts. • C • we’re • were • deserts • No change is necessary. • We were successful baking 300 cupcakes for A • the charity event, but today we’re exhausted after • B • spending all night preparing the desserts. • C • we’re • were • deserts • No change is necessary.

21. Item 8 • Gregory passed his chemistry final, so now he • won’t loose his scholarship. As he walked past • the diner, he rewarded himself with a milkshake. • past • lose • passed • No change is necessary. • Gregory passed his chemistry final, so now he • A • won’t loose his scholarship. As he walked past • BC • the diner, he rewarded himself with a milkshake. • past • lose • passed • No change is necessary. • Gregory passed his chemistry final, so now he • A • won’t loosehis scholarship. As he walked past • BC • the diner, he rewarded himself with a milkshake. • past • lose • passed • No change is necessary.

22. Item 9 • Mr. Ramos hopes to except the bid on the house. • He has agreed to all of the buyer’s conditions • except retiling the master bathroom since it • would be too much work. • accept • accept • sense • No change is necessary. • Mr. Ramos hopes to except the bid on the house. • A • He has agreed to all of the buyer’s conditions • except retiling the master bathroom since it BC • would be too much work. • accept • accept • sense • No change is necessary. • Mr. Ramos hopes to exceptthe bid on the house. • A • He has agreed to all of the buyer’s conditions • except retiling the master bathroom since it BC • would be too much work. • accept • accept • sense • No change is necessary.