Confused and Misused Words and Phrases Dude, the right word is affect, with an a. No, you’re wrong. The word should be effect, with an e.

Recognize the distinctions among related words. 3 or more; Among my friends  Among ● Between  2 only; Between Fred and me Formal request; ask permission May I come in?  May Can Form a question, higher possibility; I can eat fast. Information goes out when you teach  Teach Learn  A person receiving information learns Movement away from a place; Leave your keys.  Leave Let  Idea that you’re allowing someone to do something; I let her go home.

Know the difference a change to a single letter can make. Influence in a physical or emotional way  Affect (USUALLY verb) ● Effect  (USUALLY noun) Result of something City (capital of state or country), money, important  Capital (noun – city) or adj.- important) Capitol  (Proper noun) Seat of government of U.S. Congress Rough  Coarse (adj) Course  (adj, n, v) Path, route Change something  Alter (verb) Altar (noun)  Religious worship; sacrifice Not moving; still Stationary (v, adv) Stationery  (adj, n) Paper

To, Too, Two Use to as a preposition. Use to to begin an infinitive. Jonathan drove to the seafood shop. Use to to begin an infinitive. He hoped to buy fresh squid. Use too to show degree. The squid was too expensive to purchase. Use too as a synonym for also. So too was the fresh octopus. Use two when you mean the number. Jonathan bought two flounder filets instead.

Practice with white boards Which word has an error in each sentence? 1) I pulled out my stationary to write a letter to leave at the altar at church. 2) I can walk to the Capital building all by myself if you let me.

Know the difference that a single new letter can make. Wholly; to the full extent Altogether ● All together  Pertains to a group collectively Before  Already All ready  Completely prepared Past tense of choose  Chose Choose Present verb tense To suffer the deprivation of  Lose Loose  Free from restraint Present tense verb Mineral (n) Important (adj)  Lead (v, adj, n) Led (v) Past tense of led

Know the difference that an apostrophe can make. Possessive pronoun; belonging to it  Its ● It’s  Contraction for it is or it has Possessive pronoun; belonging to whom  Whose Who’s  Contraction for who is or who has Possessive pronoun; belonging to you  Your You’re  Contraction for you are Possessive pronouns never contain an apostrophe. Contractions do contain an apostrophe.

Don’t let these homophones [sound alike words] confuse you. Agree to or receive  Accept ● Except  Leave out Past tense of pass Passed (Verb) Past (n, adj, prep, adv)  Time before present; movement Absence of war  Peace Piece  Portion (ex-pizza); join together (ex- quilt) Chief [person], main  Principal Principle  Truth or rule To toss or fling Threw Through (prep) Indicates passage A certain place Here (Adv) Hear  Listen by ear Fragile; not strong  Weak (adj) Week (n) Time period of 7 days

There, Their, They’re Use there as an expletive, a placeholder to delay the subject. There is a turtle in the road. Use there to indicate place. Across the road is a lake. The turtle hopes to get there before a car hits him. Use their as a possessive pronoun. Most drivers don’t see the turtle; their eyes are glued to their cell phones. Use they’re as a contraction for they are. They’re also distracted by other devices, like the radio and navigation system.

Practice 1 My friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, so they’re A hoping that their lunch stays down, for there are B C rumors that health inspectors cited the filthy kitchen. their they’re there No change is necessary. My friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, so they’re A hoping that their lunch stays down, for their are B C rumors that health inspectors cited the filthy kitchen. their they’re there No change is necessary. My friends ate at Tito’s Taco Palace, so they’re hoping that their lunch stays down, for their are rumors that health inspectors cited the filthy kitchen. their they’re there No change is necessary. At C, you need there, the expletive, or placeholder, form. Is the word confused or misused at A, B, or C?

Practice 2 Gregory passed his chemistry final, so now he A won’t lose his scholarship. As he walked past B C the diner, he rewarded himself with a milkshake. past lose passed No change is necessary. Gregory passed his chemistry final, so now he won’t loose his scholarship. As he walked past the diner, he rewarded himself with a milkshake. past lose passed No change is necessary. Gregory passed his chemistry final, so now he A won’t loose his scholarship. As he walked past B C the diner, he rewarded himself with a milkshake. past lose passed No change is necessary.

Practice 3 Mr. Ramos hopes to accept the bid on the house. A He has agreed to all of the buyer’s conditions except retiling the master bathroom since it B C would be too much work. accept sense No change is necessary. Mr. Ramos hopes to except the bid on the house. He has agreed to all of the buyer’s conditions except retiling the master bathroom since it would be too much work. accept sense No change is necessary. Mr. Ramos hopes to except the bid on the house. A He has agreed to all of the buyer’s conditions except retiling the master bathroom since it B C would be too much work. accept sense No change is necessary.

Grammar Bytes! provides additional handouts and exercises on commonly confused words. Go to chompchomp.com! chomp! chomp!