Common Grammar Mistakes

Loose vs. Lose An adjective Definition: the opposite of tight or restrained Examples: His shoelaces were loose. I have a loose tooth. A verb Definition: to suffer the loss of, to miss Examples: I win! You lose! Don’t lose your keys.

Loose vs. Lose

Practice: Loose vs. Lose There is a dog running _____________ in the street. I never _____________ bets. He needed to tighten his _____________ tie. Don’t ____________ your syllabus. You will ______________ points on your assignment if you do not write your name.

Lay vs. Lie Means “to place something down” Lay, Laid Example: *Lay the book on the table. Past Tense Example: *I laid it here last night. Means “to recline” Lie, Lay, Lain Example: *Lie down on the couch. Past Tense Example: *Last night I lay awake in bed.

Lay vs. Lie

Practice: Lay vs. Lie I ______________ the books on the table. Have you ever seen a chicken ___________ an egg? I just want to ______________ in bed all day. Don’t ________________ on the floor! Yesterday, he ______________ in bed all day.

Effect vs. Affect A noun Definitions: A verb 1) a result Definitions: 2) something that gives the impression of something else 3) personal belongings Examples: What was the effect of her decision? The special effects were great. A verb Definitions: 1) to have an influence on 2) to touch or move Examples: What you do affects us all. I was affected by the movie.

Effect vs. Affect

Practice: Effect vs. Affect Side ______________ include nausea and fatigue. You can clearly see the cause and the _________ . This decision will _______________ the outcome of the election. He was not ________________ by her tears. The law will go into ______________ tomorrow.