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Commonly Confused Words
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a, an
Use a before a word beginning with a consonant sound and an before a word beginning with a vowel sound.
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ExampleI would like to live in a
house in the country. We planned an early
departure.
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Accept, exceptAccept is a verb that means “to receive with consent.”
Except is usually a preposition that means “but” or “other than.”
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Example
I accept all your suggestions except this one.
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Advice, adviseAdvice is a noun that means “a recommendation.”
Advise is a verb that means “to recommend.”
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Example
I advise you to follow your parents’ advice.
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Affect, effectAffect is a verb that means
“to influence.” Effect is usually a noun that
means “a result” or “an influence.”
As a verb, effect means “to accomplish” or “to produce.”
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ExampleWas your decision affected
by his comments?What effect will his
promotion have on you? (noun)
The snowstorm effected a change in their plans. (verb)
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All ready, already
All ready means “completely ready.”
Already means “previously.”
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Example
The case was all ready for opening night.
I have taken my SAT’s already.
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All together, altogether
All together means “in a group.”
Altogether means “Wholly” or “thoroughly.”
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ExampleWe should go ato the
landlord all together to present our mutual complaints.
Are you altogether sure that’s the right thing to do?
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Alright, all right
Alright is nonstandard and should be avoided.
All right means “everything correct.”
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Example
The proposed plan was all right.
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A lot, alot
Alot is always wrong. A lot means “parcels of land.” As slang, these terms are acceptable in speech, but not in writing.
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Example
Wrong: She bought a lot of candy.
Right: She bought a good deal of candy.
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Among, between
Use among when discussing three or more persons or things.
Use between when discussing two persons or things.
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Example
Mom divided the pie among Alex, Matt, and me.
Mom divided the pie between Alex and me.
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Amount, Number
Use amount for bulk items that cannot be counted: anger, friendship.
Use number for individual items that can be counted: eggs, potatoes, walnuts.
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Anywhere, everywhere,nowhere, somewhere
Do not add “s” to any of these words
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at
Do not use “at” after where.
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A while, awhile
A while is an expression made up of an article and a noun. It is used mainly after a preposition.
Awhile is an adverb
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because
Do not use because after the reason.
Use one or the other.
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Example
Nonstandard: The reason I fell is because I wasn’t looking where I was going.
Standard: I fell because…or…The reason I fell is that…
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Being as, being that
These expressions should be replaced with because or since.
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Example
Nonstandard: Being that the motor on the boat wouldn’t start, I began to row.
Standard: Since the motor on the boat wouldn’t start, I began to row.
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Beside, besides
Beside is always a preposition that means “by the side of.”
As a preposition, besides means “in addition to.”
As an adverb besides means “also” or “moreover.”
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Both
Never use “the” before both.
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Example
Nonstandard: The both of them were absent today.
Standard: Both of them were absent today.
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breath, breathe
Breath is a noun meaning a “portion of air.”
Breathe is a verb meaning “to inhale some air.”
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bring, take
Bring indicates motion toward the speaker.
Take indicates motion away from the speaker.