1. Commonly Confused Homonyms, Similar Expressions and Useful Phrases
Using the Right Word:
Commonly Confused Homonyms, Similar Expressions and Useful Phrases

2. Accept v. Except The verb ACCEPT means “to receive” or “to believe.”
The preposition EXCEPT means “other than.”
Example: The principal accepted the boy’s story about the broken window, but she asked why no one except him saw the ball accidentally slip from his hand.

3. Affect v. Effect
The verb AFFECT means “to influence”; the verb EFFECT means “to produce, accomplish or complete.” The noun EFFECT means the “result.”
Examples: Ralph’s diligence effected an A on the test, which positively affected her semester grade, and good grades have a calming effect on parents.

4. Among v. Between
AMONG is typically used when speaking of more than two persons or things. BETWEEN is used when speaking of only two.
Example: The three of us talked among ourselves to decide between going out or staying at home.

5. Amount v. Number
AMOUNT is used for bulk measurement. NUMBER is used to count separate units.
EXAMPLE: A substantial amount of ink spilled all over a number of my papers.

6. Fewer v. Less
FEWER is for things you count, and LESS is for things you don’t count (Grammar Girl website). Use LESS for singular nouns and FEWER for plural nouns (Chicago Manual of Style). FEWER refers to the number of separate units; LESS refers to bulk quantity (Texas write source).
EXAMPLE: Because we have fewer orders for cakes, we’ll buy less sugar and flour.

7. 1. He isn't interested in anything accept/except eating and sleeping.
2. Will the government accept/except the automakers' proposal?
3. Being severely underweight badly affects/effects health.
4. The effect/affect of the TV images is that people feel inadequate.

8. 5. Drink fewer/less soft drinks and eat fewer/less candy.
6. This secret should strictly remain among/between two of us.
7. I was standing among/between the crowd.
8. The number/amount of shark attacks has grown each decade.

9. ASCENT v. ASSENT
ASCENT is the act of rising or climbing. ASSENT is “to agree to something after some consideration” (agreement; permission)
EXAMPLE: We completed our ascent of the mountain with the assent of the landowner.

10. BESIDE v. BESIDES
BESIDE means “by the side of.” BESIDES means “in addition to.”
EXAMPLE: My mother always grew roses beside the garbage can. Besides looking nice, they also gave off a sweet smell that masked odors.

11. BAD v. BADLY
BAD is an adjective (describes a noun). BADLY is an adverb (modifies a verb). NOTE: You feel bad, not badly.
EXAMPLE: This apple is bad, but one bad apple doesn’t always ruin the whole bushel. In today’s game, Raymond played badly.

12. FARTHER v. FURTHER
FARTHER refers to a physical distance. FURTHER refers to additional time, quantity, or degree.
EXAMPLE: Alaska extends farther north than Iceland does, and further information can be obtained in an online atlas.

13. IMPLY v. INFER
IMPLY means “to suggest or express indirectly,” while INFER means “to draw a conclusion from facts.” A writer implies, and a reader infers.
EXAMPLE: Dad implied by his comment that I should drive more carefully, and I inferred that he was concerned for both me and his new car.

14. 1. Barney (implied/inferred) from his boss’s cold stare that he was in trouble.
2. Does wearing torn jeans (imply/infer) a lack of funds to purchase nicer clothing or a fashion statement?
3. Africa is (further/farther) away than South America, but Stan chose to travel there for (farther/further) study on African customs.
4. He stuck his finger into a jar of red ink and left an imprint signifying his (ascent/assent).

15. 5. The Benders have made a dizzying (assent/ascent) into indie stardom since their debut recording.
6. In many books, photographs appear (besides/beside) the text.
7. (Besides/Beside) me, nobody knows the password.
8. She performed (badly/bad) in practice, but her official performance wasn’t too (badly/bad).