Commonly Confused Words

a, an

Use a before a word beginning with a consonant sound and an before a word beginning with a vowel sound.

ExampleI would like to live in a

house in the country. We planned an early

departure.

Accept, exceptAccept is a verb that means “to receive with consent.”

Except is usually a preposition that means “but” or “other than.”

Example

I accept all your suggestions except this one.

Advice, adviseAdvice is a noun that means “a recommendation.”

Advise is a verb that means “to recommend.”

Example

I advise you to follow your parents’ advice.

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.”

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)

All ready, already

All ready means “completely ready.”

Already means “previously.”

Example

The case was all ready for opening night.

I have taken my SAT’s already.

All together, altogether

All together means “in a group.”

Altogether means “Wholly” or “thoroughly.”

ExampleWe should go ato the

landlord all together to present our mutual complaints.

Are you altogether sure that’s the right thing to do?

Alright, all right

Alright is nonstandard and should be avoided.

All right means “everything correct.”

Example

The proposed plan was all right.

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.

Example

Wrong: She bought a lot of candy.

Right: She bought a good deal of candy.

Among, between

Use among when discussing three or more persons or things.

Use between when discussing two persons or things.

Example

Mom divided the pie among Alex, Matt, and me.

Mom divided the pie between Alex and me.

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.

Anywhere, everywhere,nowhere, somewhere

Do not add “s” to any of these words

at

Do not use “at” after where.

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

because

Do not use because after the reason.

Use one or the other.

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…

Being as, being that

These expressions should be replaced with because or since.

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.

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.”

Both

Never use “the” before both.

Example

Nonstandard: The both of them were absent today.

Standard: Both of them were absent today.

breath, breathe

Breath is a noun meaning a “portion of air.”

Breathe is a verb meaning “to inhale some air.”

bring, take

Bring indicates motion toward the speaker.

Take indicates motion away from the speaker.