Commonly Confused Words. a, an Use a before a word beginning with a consonant sound and an before a...
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Transcript of Commonly Confused Words. a, an Use a before a word beginning with a consonant sound and an before a...
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.