Weird, Tricky Words

Weird Words and Tricks to Remember Them

Lay vs. Lie

Definitions: Lie = to rest, to recline, to be in a place Lay = to put something in place Sentences:– Once upon a time, there was a malevolent dragonthat liked to _________ on top of his stupendoustreasure.– The villagers __________ extra treasure at his doorto keep his odious fire breath from consuming theirhomes.

Lay vs. Lie

Trick to RememberLIE= RECLINE

VS.LAY=PLACE

Sit vs. Set

Definitions:Sit=to rest in a seated position Set= to put (something) in placeSentences:

One humid summer day, dapper knight was___________ outside the towns large gate.

When he __________ his shield beside him, he found a fey sword wedged in the ground.

Sit vs.Set

Trick to RememberSIT= POSITION

VS.SET= WHERE IT GOES

Rise vs. Raise

Definitions:Rise = to go up or get up Raise = to lift upSentences:The dapper knight tried to ___________ fromhis seat; meanwhile, he attempted to___________ the fey object from the damp,soft ground.

Rise vs. Raise

RISE=“RISE and Shine” When you GET UPout of bed.

VS.RAISE=I RAISE my hand to voice myopinion.

Accept VS. Except

Definitions:Accept= to receive; to getExcept= to exclude; leave outSentences:The dapper knight knew that unless he_______________ help from someoneincredibly strong, that the fey fork wouldnever be his. _____________, of course, if he was helpedby one stronger than he.

Accept VS. Except

Trick to Remember:ACCEPT = GET something

Vs.EXCEPT = EXclude something or someone

Affect vs. Effect

Affect vs. EffectDefinitions:Affect = to influence; to change (verb)Effect = the result of an action; consequence (noun)Sentences:The heat of the day and the weight of hisgleaming armor was _____________ hisability to pull the fork.

This ___________ frustrated the poor, dapperknight.

Affect vs. Effect

Trick to Remember:AFFECT = CHANGE

VS.EFFECT = special EFFECTS

To VS. Too VS. Two

Definitions:To = moving in a direction toward.

Too = also or in addition to

Two= 1+1=2Sentences:The dragon moved his head through the ground______ help the dapper knight. The _________warriors together, were able to devise a plan thathelped the villagers, _______.

To VS. Too VS. Two

Trick to Remember:TO = going towards

TOO = ALSO; to include an extra

TWO = number

There VS. Their VS. They’re

There VS. Their VS. They’reDefinitions:There = a place away from where you areTheir = possessive form of they.They’re = contraction meaning they are.

Sentences:– “_________ seems to be a miscommunication, dearsir,” the knight retorted. “The villagers, ___________scared of you, if you helped me you could end_______________ fear of you.”

There VS. Their VS. They’re

Trick to Remember:THERE = wHERE (both end in HERE)

THEIR = possessIve (contains I; I OWN)

They’re = They are

Capital VS. Capitol

Definitions:Capital = an upper case letterVS.Capitol = the governing city of a state or country.

Sentences:– “A witch?” the dapper knight pondered. “Oh, yes, awitch,” the dragon indignantly replied. “She lives in acastle at the _______, and she is a witch with a______ W, if you know what I mean…”

Capital VS. Capitol

Capital = A is the first letter in the alphabetso it means a capital letter.

VS.Capitol = O like the dome of the capitolbuilding

Its VS. It’s

Definitions:Its: possessive form of it; it ownsIt’s: contraction meaning it is

Sentences: “____ not going to be easy,” the dragonreplied, ____ head bowing in fear. “But Iwould be honored to fight alongside you.”

Its VS. It’s

ITS= Possessive

IT’S = It is

Principal VS. Principle

Definitions:Principal: the person in charge of a schoolPrinciple: a rule or standard

Sentences: Once they reached the formidable wall of thecapit_l, the dragon and knight were halted byan eloquent man. “Hello, I am the only _____in this town,” he said. “We have a _____ herethat no one can enter the capit_l without doinga scintillating rendition of the hokey pokey.”

Principal VS. Principle

PRINCIPAL = the principal should be yourPAL

PRINCIPLE = RULE

Stationary vs. Stationery

Definitions:Stationary –standing stillStationery – writing materials

SentencesThe prince was ___________ as the dragon entered. The scribe got out the _________ to record the events of the day.

Stationary –STAND still

Stationery – WRITE something

May vs. Can

DefinitionsMay – to be permitted (verb)Can – to be able (verb)

The key difference between can and may is that can talks about ability and may talks about permission.

Which is correct?Can I go to the bathroom?May I go to the bathroom?

Leave vs. Let

DefinitionsLeave (verb used with an object)To go out of or away from, as a placeLet (verb used with an object)To allow or permit

SentenceThe knight was going to _________ the kingdom for the

battle.The queen will ______ him take the noble steed with him

on his journey.

Teach vs. Learn

Teach -is an irregular verb (teach / taught / taught - teaching), that means to give someone knowledge or to train someone; to instruct.

Learn - is an irregular verb (learn / learnt / learnt - learning), that means to gain knowledge or skill in a new subject or activity and make yourself remember it.

SentencesMy teacher _______ me not to use slang.I will _________ not to use slang in formal writing.

Between Vs. Among

Between - (preposition)Used with two itemsAmong – (preposition)Used with three or more items

SentencesThe negotiations between Argentina and Chile are going well.The negotiations among the countries of South America are going well.

Ok, now it is your turn…

To test your shoulder partner,You should write 5 fill-in-the-blank

sentences. Then, exchange them so that they can fill in the correct answers

Example: All of you will receive an A+ on your test, _____

the one student that does not study. (accept, except)

What grade did you earn?