Complex and unfamiliar words Some words are particularly tricky. Here I will give you some tips and practice on coping with tricky words. They might be easily confused with another. They may be long and difficult. They may be totally new to you.

Confusions Do these words ever puzzle you? practice or practise? affect or effect? accept or except? principal or principle? choose or chose? quite or quiet?

Confusions Many commonly confused words are homophones - words which sound the same but which are spelt differently. Some words are confused because, whilst not exactly the same, they sound or look very similar. Knowing the reason behind the difference may help you remember the word. Sometimes you may have to think up a little ‘trick’ or way of remembering the word - like sounding it out. Read through the following examples, then test yourself with the quiz that follows.

Confusions accept A verb meaning to receive. I accept your apology except A word meaning ‘not including’. Everyone was invited except Mona. affect A verb meaning to influence or change something. Alcohol can affect your health. effect A noun meaning a result. The effect of the fire was disastrous. (Effect can also be a verb meaning to bring about: He effected the result with ease.)

Confusions principal This means first, leading or leader. He was the Principal of the college. principle This means a basic truth or law. It was the principle of the matter. practice A noun. She went to netball practice. practise A verb. He needs to practise penalty kicks.

Confusions chose (Rhymes with goes) Part tense She chose to leave early. choose (Rhymes with shoes) Present tense and infinitive You are free to choose. weather sunshine, rain, etc The weather is hot. whether if I don’t know whether it’s right.

Confusions quite Means fairly or completely He was quite angry. quiet silent, silence It was quiet in the library. lose (Rhymes with whose) Means to not win or keep something He didn’t want to lose the race. loose (Rhymes with goose) Means to free or untie something. She let the horse loose.

Stationery - as in papers Stationary - as in still An extension task could be to list other examples of words with these endings.

Students could be encouraged to create their own quiz of really tricky words for a partner.

some really tricky words. Plenary There may be certain letter patterns you can identify. Here we have dealt with some really tricky words. But the good news is that you can do something! You need to look for and study the ones that catch you out. You may find the roots of words helpful. Or you may just need to learn the words.