USING THE RIGHT WORD: *A lot, alot: A lot should not be one word; a lot (two words) is a vague descriptive phrase that should be probably not be used too often, especially in formal writing * accept, except: The verb accept means to receive or believe. The preposition except means “other than” * advice, advise: Advice is a noun meaning “information or recommendation”; advise is a verb meaning “to recommend.”

* affect, effect: Affect means “to influence”; the noun effect means “the result.” * already, all ready: Already is an adverb meaning “before this time” or “by this time.” All ready is an adjective meaning “fully prepared.” * among, between: Among is usually used when emphasizing distribution throughout a body or group (3 or more); between is used when emphasizing distribution to individuals (2 items)

Choose the correct word in each of the following sentences: He used (a lot, alot) of catsup on his hamburger. The instructor (excepted, accepted) the student’s story about being late, but she asked why no one (except, accept) him forgot to reset his clock for daylight savings time. Successful people will often give you sound (advice, advise), so I (advice, advise) you to listen. The employment growth in a field will (affect, effect) your chances of getting a job. The (affect, effect) may be a new career choice.

Answers: He used (a lot, alot) of catsup on his hamburger. The instructor (excepted, accepted) the student’s story about being late, but she asked why no one (except, accept) him forgot to reset his clock for daylight savings time. Successful people will often give you sound (advice, advise), so I (advice, advise) you to listen. The employment growth in a field will (affect, effect) your chances of getting a job. The (affect, effect) may be a new career choice.

Choose the correct word in each of the following sentences: 1. By the time you’re a senior, you should have (all ready, already) taken your SAT’s. That way, you will be (all ready, already) to apply to the college of your choice. 2. There was discontent (among, between) the servants after learning their employer had divided her entire fortune (among, between) a dog and a favorite waitress at the local café.

Answers 1. By the time you’re a senior, you should have (all ready, already) taken your SAT’s. That way, you will be (all ready, already) to apply to the college of your choice. 2. There was discontent (among, between) the servants after learning their employer had divided her entire fortune (among, between) a dog and a favorite waitress at the local café.

USING THE RIGHT WORD * counsel, council: As a noun, counsel means “advice”; when used as a verb, counsel means “to advise.” Council refers to a group that advises. * desert, dessert: Desert is a barren wilderness. Dessert (ss=sweet stuff) is food served at the end of the meal. The verb desert means “to abandon.” * farther, further: Farther refers to a physical distance; further refers to additional time, quantity, or degree

* fewer, less: Fewer refers to the number of separate units; less refers to bulk quantity * good, well: Good is an adjective; well is nearly always an adverb. (When used to indicate state of health, well is an adjective) * immigrate, emigrate: Immigrate means “to come into a new country or environment.” Emigrate means “to go out of one country to live in another.”

Choose the correct word in each of the following sentences: The city (counsel, council) was asked to (counsel, council) our Student Council on running an efficient meeting. Their (counsel, council) was very helpful. I enjoy having chocolate cake for (desert, dessert), but I hate it when my family (deserts, desserts) me, and I’m left all alone at the table. (Further, Farther) research showed that walking (further, farther) would improve his health.

Answers The city (counsel, council) was asked to (counsel, council) our Student Council on running an efficient meeting. Their (counsel, council) was very helpful. I enjoy having chocolate cake for (desert, dessert), but I hate it when my family (deserts, desserts) me, and I’m left all alone at the table. (Further, Farther) research showed that walking (further, farther) would improve his health.

Choose the correct word in each of the following sentences: Because of spell checkers, students can produce papers containing (fewer, less) errors in (fewer, less) time. A (good, well) job offers opportunities for advancement, especially for those who do their jobs (good, well). (Immigrating, Emigrating) to a new country is a challenging experience. People (immigrating, emigrating) from their homelands need to consider this.

Answers Because of spell checkers, students can produce papers containing (fewer, less) errors in (fewer, less) time. A (good, well) job offers opportunities for advancement, especially for those who do their jobs (good, well). (Immigrating, Emigrating) to a new country is a challenging experience. People (immigrating, emigrating) from their homelands need to consider this.

USING THE RIGHT WORD * it’s, its: It’s is the contraction of “it is.” Its is the possessive form of “it.” * lay, lie: Lay means “to place.” Lie means “to recline.” * loose, lose, loss: Loose means “free, untied, unrestricted”; lose means “to misplace or fail to find or control”; loss means “something that is misplaced and cannot be found.”

USING THE RIGHT WORD * set, sit: Set means “to place.” Sit means “to put the body in a seated position.” (sitting in a chair) * rise, raise: rise means “to move upward without assistance”; “to move upright from a lying or sitting position.” Raise means “to lift something, to elevate, or to increase” * to, too, two: To is a preposition that can mean “in the direction of.” Too means “also” or “very.” Two is the number 2.

Choose the correct word in each of the following sentences: (It’s, Its) not hard to see why my roommate feeds that alley cat; (it’s, its) pitiful limp and mournful meow would melt any heart. If you (lay, lie) another book on my table, I won’t have room for anything else. Yesterday, you (lay, laid) two books on the table. Over the last few days, you must have (lay, laid) at least 20 books there. Do not (loose, lose, loss) my book. I paid $25 for that book. Daisy’s dog collar was so (loose, lose, loss), it fell off in the first 2 minutes she was playing outside.

Answers (It’s, Its) not hard to see why my roommate feeds that alley cat; (it’s, its) pitiful limp and mournful meow would melt any heart. If you (lay, lie) another book on my table, I won’t have room for anything else. Yesterday, you (lay, laid) two books on the table. Over the last few days, you must have (lay, laid) at least 20 books there. Do not (loose, lose, loss) my book. I paid $25 for that book. Daisy’s dog collar was so (loose, lose, loss), it fell off in the first 2 minutes she was playing outside.

Choose the correct word in each of the following sentences: How can you just (sit, set) there and watch as I (sit, set) all these chairs in place? Hot air balloons (rise, raise). The sun has already (raised, risen) this morning. I’m (rising, raising) some tomatoes. The store always (rises, raises) prices. I wish (to, two, too) get (to, two, too) loaves of bread at the store, but every time I do that, it seems to be (to, two, too) much.

Answers How can you just (sit, set) there and watch as I (sit, set) all these chairs in place? Hot air balloons (rise, raise). The sun has already (raised, risen) this morning. I’m (rising, raising) some tomatoes. The store always (rises, raises) prices. I wish (to, two, too) get (to, two, too) loaves of bread at the store, but every time I do that, it seems to be (to, two, too) much.

“The difference between the right word and the nearly right word is the same as that between lightning and the lightning bug.” Mark Twain