1. Troublesome Words

2. To, Two, and Too ‘To’ : Shows movement towards: e.g. He is going to school. ‘To’ : Shows movement towards: e.g. He is going to school. ‘To’ also indicates the infinitive of a verb. E.g. She hopes to win a prize. ‘To’ also indicates the infinitive of a verb. E.g. She hopes to win a prize. ‘Two’ : Is a number. E.g. The two boys are with two lovely girls. ‘Two’ : Is a number. E.g. The two boys are with two lovely girls. ‘Too’ : Means ‘also’, ‘enough’ ‘more than enough’, ‘likewise’ ‘Too’ : Means ‘also’, ‘enough’ ‘more than enough’, ‘likewise’ Example: The inspector asked too many difficult questions. Example: The inspector asked too many difficult questions.

3. Try writing the correct form of ‘to,too two’ in the following sentences.

4. 1.David is ……….ill ……… go…………… the pop concert. 2.The last…….. days were………..wet……… play games. 3.The teacher told me…….. leave for home at….. o’clock. 4.My……… sisters travel………school by bus. 5.I am…….. young ………be admitted……the dance. 6.It is ……early ………retire …….bed. 7.The question was………… hard ………… answer. 8.If you are going…..the pop concert may I come…..? 9.It is ………soon after dinner……go swimming. 10.He showed us…….ways……..solve the problem.

5. Now Check Your Answers! 1. Too, to, to. 1. Too, to, to. 2. Two, too, to. 2. Two, too, to. 3. To, two. 3. To, two. 4. Two, to. 4. Two, to. 5. Too, to, to. 5. Too, to, to. 6. Too, to, to. 6. Too, to, to. 7. Too, to. 7. Too, to. 8. To, too. 8. To, too. 9. Too. To 9. Too. To 10. Two, to. 10. Two, to.

6. Their, There, + They’re

7. THERE Use there when referring to a place. Use there when referring to a place. How to remember: The word here is hiding in the word there. Both here and there are words that refer to a place or direction. How to remember: The word here is hiding in the word there. Both here and there are words that refer to a place or direction.

8. THERE There is a computer store on Fox Hill Avenue. There is a computer store on Fox Hill Avenue. The science textbooks are over there on the floor. The science textbooks are over there on the floor. There are many documents that are used in investigations. There are many documents that are used in investigations.

9. THEIR Use their when talking about something that belongs to more than one. T H E I R shows possession or ownership. The word “heir” is in their. Use their when talking about something that belongs to more than one. T H E I R shows possession or ownership. The word “heir” is in their. My friends have lost their tickets. My friends have lost their tickets. Their things were scattered across the room. Their things were scattered across the room.

10. THEY’RE They're is a contraction of the words they and are. They're is a contraction of the words they and are. Hurry up! They're closing the mall at 6 tonight! Hurry up! They're closing the mall at 6 tonight! I'm glad that they're so nice to new students here. I'm glad that they're so nice to new students here.

11. . ______ are no excuses this time, Buddy!. ______ are no excuses this time, Buddy! There There Their Their They're They're

12. I can't imagine where __________ going after the movie. I can't imagine where __________ going after the movie. there there their their they're they're

13. It's ________ car, so let them decide where we're going. It's ________ car, so let them decide where we're going. there there their their they're they're

14. Wherever ________ are two or more firefighters in the same room, you know what they'll be talking about. Wherever ________ are two or more firefighters in the same room, you know what they'll be talking about. there there their their they're they're

15. Its and It’s

16. It’s Means “it is”

17. Its Goes before a noun or noun phrase to show the noun or noun phrase belongs to “it”

18. Confused? Words ending in apostrophe-s usually show belonging BUT not with it’s

19. How can I remember which one to use? Try the old rhyme: When you say it’s time for tea It’s time to use the apostrophe. When you say the dog has got its bone It’s time to leave the apostrophe alone.

20. The mental process Does it is fit? Otherwise… Use it’s NO APOSTROPHE

21. Affect vs. effect Affect Affect –A verb that means influence –A verb that means influence(sway, modify, alter, touch, stir). –Example: The drought will affect the color of the fall foliage. fall foliage. Effect Effect –A noun that means result –A noun that means result (outcome issue, consequence) –Example: The medicine has unpleasant side effects.

22. Effect and Affect Effect: a noun Effect: a noun –The results –An effect, the effect, good effect, special effect –Can be plural: effects Affect: a verb meaning to change Affect: a verb meaning to change –Not studying will affect my grade. –Can be past tense: affected –Can be participle: affecting

23. Your Turn The __ of the medicine is unknown. I hope it doesn’t __ your mood. The __ of the medicine is unknown. I hope it doesn’t __ your mood. These lights always __ my eyes. These lights always __ my eyes. Poor eyesight can have a negative – on one’s driving. Poor eyesight can have a negative – on one’s driving. Did the extra credit – your grade? Did the extra credit – your grade? My GPA __ my financial aid. My GPA __ my financial aid. The writer’s tone can __ the reader strongly. The writer’s tone can __ the reader strongly.

24. Answers The effect of the medicine is unknown. I hope it doesn’t affect your mood. The effect of the medicine is unknown. I hope it doesn’t affect your mood. These lights always affect my eyes. These lights always affect my eyes. Poor eyesight can have a negative effect on one’s driving. Poor eyesight can have a negative effect on one’s driving. Did the extra credit affect your grade? Did the extra credit affect your grade? My GPA affects my financial aid. My GPA affects my financial aid. The writer’s tone can affect the reader strongly. The writer’s tone can affect the reader strongly.

26. Accept vs. Except Accept is always a verb. It means “to take or receive, consent to receive; say yes to.” Accept is always a verb. It means “to take or receive, consent to receive; say yes to.” Except is most commonly used as a preposition meaning “but.” Except is most commonly used as a preposition meaning “but.” A similarity in sound often causes confusion in the use of these two words. A similarity in sound often causes confusion in the use of these two words.

27. Accept vs. Except - Application I accepted/excepted the invitation to the party. I accepted/excepted the invitation to the party. I accepted the invitation to the party. I accepted the invitation to the party. All the employees accept/except Bill received a bonus. All the employees accept/except Bill received a bonus. All the employees except Bill received a bonus. All the employees except Bill received a bonus.

28. Between vs. Among Between – used when choosing between two things Between – used when choosing between two things I must choose between the devil and the deep blue sea. I must choose between the devil and the deep blue sea. I must choose between rocky road and vanilla ice cream. I must choose between rocky road and vanilla ice cream.

29. Between vs. Among (cont.) I must choose among The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. I must choose among The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. (Among is usually, but not always, required for three or more) (Among is usually, but not always, required for three or more)

30. Leave or Let Leave means “to go away, depart, or set out” or “to allow to remain.” What time should we leave for the fiddle contest? Leave means “to go away, depart, or set out” or “to allow to remain.” What time should we leave for the fiddle contest? If you leave Old Dan behind, he will just follow us. If you leave Old Dan behind, he will just follow us. Let means “to permit or consent.” I will let you wear my new hat. Let means “to permit or consent.” I will let you wear my new hat.

31. Wrong Let him alone! Right Leave him alone! (Allow him to remain alone.) Leave him alone! (Allow him to remain alone.)

32. Wrong Leave me do it again. Right Let me do it again. (Permit me to do it.) Let me do it again. (Permit me to do it.)

33. The most common mistake is whether to say: Let it be. or Leave it be. Just remember the old Beatles song to help you remember this.

34. I let Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to leave Old Dan outside. I permitted Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to allow Old Dan to remain outside. OR Old Dan had to leave the porch. Old Dan had to depart the porch. I let Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to leave Old Dan outside. I permitted Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to allow Old Dan to remain outside. OR Old Dan had to leave the porch. Old Dan had to depart the porch. Write let or leave to complete the sentence. ___________it sitting on the stove.

35. Leave it sitting on the stove. Allow it to remain on the stove.

36. I let Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to leave Old Dan outside. I permitted Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to allow Old Dan to remain outside. OR Old Dan had to leave the porch. Old Dan had to depart the porch.. I let Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to leave Old Dan outside. I permitted Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to allow Old Dan to remain outside. OR Old Dan had to leave the porch. Old Dan had to depart the porch.. Write lets or leaves to complete the sentence. My mom ___________ me stay up until 9:00.

37. My mom lets me stay up until 9:00. My mom lets me stay up until 9:00. My mom permits me stay up until 9:00.

38. I let Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to leave Old Dan outside. I permitted Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to allow Old Dan to remain outside. OR Old Dan had to leave the porch. Old Dan had to depart the porch. I let Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to leave Old Dan outside. I permitted Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to allow Old Dan to remain outside. OR Old Dan had to leave the porch. Old Dan had to depart the porch. Write lets or leaves to complete the sentence. Billy _________ his books on the table.

39. Billy leaves his books on the table. Billy allows his books to remain on the table.

40. I let Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to leave Old Dan outside. I allowed Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to allow Old Dan to remain outside. I let Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to leave Old Dan outside. I allowed Little Ann sleep in the house. I had to allow Old Dan to remain outside. Write let or leave to complete the sentence. We __________ the room together.

41. We leave the room together. We depart the room together.

42. Practice – Number your paper from 1 to 10. Write the correct answer for each of the following items. 1. ( 1. (Let, Leave) me help you with that.

43. 2. ( 2. Dad will (let, leave) the pie on the counter for Billy.

44. 3. ( 3. I will (let, leave) you alone until you feel better.

45. 4. ( 4. Grandpa will (let, leave) Billy be by himself for a while.

46. 5. ( 5. (Let, Leave) your little brother alone.

47. 6. ( 6. (Let, Leave) him be.

48. 7. Although ( 7. Although Billy was the master, he often (let, leave) Old Dan and Little Ann have their way.

49. 8. ( 8. Grandpa often said, “(Let, Leave) me tell you what Old Dan and Little Ann did today.”

50. 9. ( 9. By the end of the day, Billy will (let, leave) you with an answer to that question.

51. 10. ( 10. Someday you must (let, leave) me tell you the story of Old Dan and Little Ann.

52. Teach and Learn Teach means “to instruct, train, or pass on knowledge.” Ms. Fletcher teaches her class how to read. To learn something is “to receive or be given knowledge.” The students learn to read with the help of the teacher.

53. Think of it this way. Many people can teach you something they know how to do. However, you are the one who learns how to do something new.

54. Wrong I will learn you how to solve this math problem. Right I will teach you how to solve this math problem. I am sure you can learn it.

55. Wrong I will teach how to dance after a series of lessons. Right I will learn how to dance after a series of lessons.

56. Billy will teach the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will learn how to hunt. Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will gain knowledge. Billy will teach the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will learn how to hunt. Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will gain knowledge. Write teach or learn to complete the sentence. Little Ann will _________ Old Dan how to swim across the river.

57. Little Ann will teach Old Dan how to swim across the river.

58. Billy will teach the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will learn how to hunt. Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will gain knowledge. Billy will teach the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will learn how to hunt. Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will gain knowledge. Write teach or learn to complete the sentence. Billy used a raccoon hide to ______ Little Ann and Old Dan.

59. Billy used a raccoon hide to teach Little Ann and Old Dan.

60. Billy will teach the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will learn how to hunt. Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will gain knowledge. Billy will teach the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will learn how to hunt. Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will gain knowledge. Write teach or learn to complete the sentence. Samie could not _________ to stay away from the trap.

61. Samie could not learn to stay away from the trap.

62. Billy will teach the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will learn how to hunt. Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will gain knowledge. Billy will teach the hounds how to hunt. The hounds will learn how to hunt. Billy will train the dogs. The hounds will gain knowledge. Write taught or learned to complete the sentence. Little Ann and Old Dan ________ quickly how to track coons.

63. Little Ann and Old Dan learned quickly how to track coons.

64. Practice – Number your paper from 1 to 10. Write the correct answer for each of the following items. 1. Why did Billy (teach, learn) the girls to take care of Samie?

65. 2. Do you want to (teach, learn) how to trap coons?

66. 3. Dad tried to (teach, learn) Billy how to set the trap.

67. 4. In this book you will (teach, learn) all about coon hunting.

68. 5. How will Billy (teach, learn) the way to town?

69. 6. Who will (teach, learn) the girls how to skip a stone across the creek?

70. 7. Billy (taught, learned) his sisters how to build a dog pen.

71. 8. I (taught, learned) how to make a fishing pole using a safety pin and string.

72. 9. Grandpa can (teach, learn) me how to grind corn to make cornmeal.

73. 10. Can you (teach, learn) Billy how to skin a coon?

74. Who’s, Whose

75. Who’s Well, who's is always short for who is. Forexample:

76. Who’s

77. The easiest way to explain whose is to say that you use it whenever it would be wrong to say who is. Whose

78. For example: Is he the guy (who is/whose) tie was red? (Who is/Whose) iPad is this? Whose

79. More Examples… The different uses of these words is illustrated by the following pair of sentences: Bob, who's normally prompt, was late today. Bob, who's normally prompt, was late today. Bob, whose record is exemplary, was late today. Bob, whose record is exemplary, was late today. In summary, use who's when you mean who is and whose otherwise.

80. Who’s / Whose Copy the sentences, using the correct form of (who’s / whose). 1. (Who’s / whose) book is this? 2. (Who’s / whose) coming to the football game tomorrow? 3. The man (who’s / whose) house collapsed is now homeless. 4. I need to know (who’s /whose) with me.

81. Principal vs. Principle The word principal means “the head of a school,” or “main or most important.” Mr. Stephens is the principal. The principal export of Brazil is coffee. The word principle means “a rule of conduct,” or “a fact of general truth.” Her principles are very high. MLK supported a principle of non-violence.

82. May vs Can May- asking permission to do something May- asking permission to do something Can- able to do something; ability Can- able to do something; ability Ex: May I carry your lunch for you? Ex: May I carry your lunch for you? EX: Can those tiny girls lift those heavy boxes? EX: Can those tiny girls lift those heavy boxes?

83. Choose “can,” “was able to,” “may,” or “might” to complete each sentence. 1. The old man (can/was able to/may/might) walk with a cane yesterday. 2. My teacher (can/was able to/may/might) recite 24 digits of Pi. 3. Jeff and Tom (can/was able to/may/might) attend the private party. 4. Grandmother (can/was able to/may/might) eat when she comes out of surgery. 5. My brother (can/was able to/may/might) kick a football across the whole field. 6. Yesterday, she (can/was able to/may/ might) pay off her credit card. 7. My dad says I (can/was able to/may/might) sleep at my friend’s house tonight. 8. Last year, I (can/was able to/may/might) earn my diploma and graduate. 9. My teacher said I (can/was able to/may/might) participate in the show. 10. Your cousin Joe (can/was able to/may/might) whistle through his teeth.

84. Compliment vs Complement  Compliment means a statement of praise  Complement means to go well with or perfect something else. Example: The customer sent his compliments to the chef. The picture complements the design perfectly.

85. In each of the exercises below, circle the word in parentheses that completes the sentence correctly. 1.Nothing makes a gal feel better than a nice (complement/compliment) or two to start the day. 2.The rich brown tones of the lamp shade (complement/compliment) the rest of the room’s decor. 3.The routine (complemented/complimented) the skating styles of two ice skaters who had recently started performing as a pair. 4.A (complement/compliment) goes a long way when you are trying to woo the girl of your dreams. 5.The homemade croutons were the perfect (complement/compliment) to the rich and creamy red- pepper soup. 6.(Complementing/Complimenting) your boss every chance you get does not guarantee that your raise is higher when it is time for a performance review.

86. Capital vs Capitol Definitions: capital refers to (1) a city that serves as a center of government, (2) wealth in the form of money or property, and (3) a capital letter. Capitol has two very specific definitions (outside ancient Rome): (1) a U.S. state legislature building, and (2) the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. State capitols are located in the capital cities of U.S. states, and the Capitol is located in the capital city of the U.S. If you’re not talking about any of these capitol buildings, then the word you want is probably capital.

87. Stationary vs Stationery Stationery, with an "e," is paper, usually paper that you use for writing letters or notes. Use the nice stationery to write to your grandmother. You can remember that it’s spelled with an “e” by thinking that the “e” stands for “e-mail.” Stationary means not moving, fixed in one place, still. Almost every big gym has a row of stationary bikes. You can remember the spelling of this word by thinking that when you are stationary, you are often standing. Since “standing” is also spelled with an “a,” the association can remind you to put the second “a” in “stationary.”