Spelling, Capitalization, and Abbreviations Frequently Misused Words from Rude, Carolyn. Technical Editing, 4 th ed.

affect, effect

Both can be nouns, both can be verbs. Effect means “result” Affect means “to influence.” Your training in writing will have an effect on your performance in editing. Class participation will affect your grade.

assure, insure, ensure

All mean “to make secure or certain” “assure” is used in relations to setting a person’s mind at rest. Harold assured Susan that everything would be fine. The company has insured the staff. New policies ensure greater participation.

complement, compliment

A complement completes a whole A compliment expresses praise That tie complements his outfit. I really appreciated your compliment.

continually, continuously

Continually suggests recurrent interrupted action Continuously indicates uninterrupted action I am continually having to grade papers. My office computer stays on continuously during the week.

discreet, discrete

Discreet mean “prudent” Discrete means “separate” A good manager is discreet about reprimanding an employee. We saw seven discrete types of birds this weekend.

farther, further

Farther refers only to physical distance Further refers to degree, quantity, or time The Kia plant is farther than I expected. The company can not risk going further into debt.

fiscal, physical

Fiscal refers to finances Physical refers to bodily or material things I had to physically move my fiscal reports.

imply, infer

Imply means to suggest Infer means to make a suggestion or draw a conclusion These figures imply that our company is going under. We inferred from the figures that we should all start looking for new jobs.

its, it’s

Its is a possessive pronoun It’s is a contraction for it is That puppy is proud of its stuffed monkey. It’s good to buy your puppy a stuffed monkey.

lay, lie

Lay is a transitive verb that takes an object Lie is always intransitive I will lay my massive textbook down on this table. It will lie there for quite a while.

personal, personnel

Personal means private Personnel is a collective noun referring to people You are encroaching on my personal space. Would all personnel please report to lounge for cookies and milk?

principle, principal

A principle is a basic rule or law A principal is a school office, or the “first” or “primary” of something Auburn’s policies are based on sound principles. The principal’s principal occupation is administration.

stationery, stationary

Stationery is writing paper Stationary is fixed in place The pretty yellow stationery on my table is stationary.

their, there, they’re

Their is a possessive pronoun There is an adverb designation a place They’re is a contraction of “they are” Their new dog drools a lot. There are a lot of dogs that drool. They’re going to buy their dog his own towel.

whose, who’s

Whose is a possessive pronoun Who’s is a contraction for “who is” Whose dog is this drooling on my shoes? Who’s going to clean this up?

your, you’re

Your is a possessive pronoun You’re is a contraction for “you are” I looked at your car, and I think it is broken. You’re going to need to take your car to the shop.