Cart201 Commonly Confused Words in English
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By Stacie HeapsProfessional Writer and Editor |
In English, there are many words that sound alike but are spelled differently and of course have different meanings. When writing, it is important to use the correct word not only so that readers don’t get their attention taken away from the content of the text but also so they don’t get confused. If you use the wrong word, readers may have to reread a sentence or paragraph several times in order to interpret what you mean. The list below defines the most commonly confused English words and provides an example for each.
- abstraction: noun, an idea belonging to something concrete, but not the thing itself.
Example:
The most important quality is courage.
- generalization: noun, the act of generalizing; a general statement.
Example:
It’s easy to make generalizations about groups of people, but very often such generalizations are inaccurate.
- accept: verb, to take willingly or to respond favorably or without protest.
Example:
We accepted the invitation to go to the party.
- except: preposition, to exclude or not including. It can also be a verb meaning to leave out.
Examples:
Everyone arrived on time except Matthew.
Mr. Knight’s offer was excepted from the group.
- adapt: verb, to change in order to make suitable.
Example:
Over time, most animals—and humans—adapt very well to their circumstances.
- adept: adjective, skillful.
Example:
Penny is adept at finding reasons to miss work.
- adopt: verb, to take as one’s own.
Example:
We decided not to adopt the new policy.
- access: noun, permission or ability to enter or use. It can also be a verb meaning to get access to.
Examples:
Only senior-level employees have access to the dining room and lounge.
I can’t access the file because it is password protected.
- excess: noun or adjective, more than enough.
Example:
I hope you don’t have any excess baggage.
- addition: noun, something added or the process or result of adding.
Example:
Let me introduce you to a great addition to our team, Amanda Daniels.
- edition: noun, version of a publication.
Example:
Do we have the latest edition of the dictionary?
- adverse: adjective, unfavorable or contrary.
Example:
They were unable to finish the tournament because of adverse weather conditions.
- averse: adjective, having a feeling of dislike or distaste.
Example:
The manager is averse to hiring new employees.
- advice: noun, recommendation, suggestion, or counsel.
Example:
He usually gives quite sound advice.
- advise: verb, to recommend or give advice. Can also mean to inform.
Examples:
He promised to advise us on which course of action to take.
Have you advised John of the new meeting time?
- affect: verb, to act upon or influence.
Example:
His negative attitude affects everything he does.
- effect: noun, a result. Also can be a verb meaning to cause or bring about.
Examples:
We’re not sure yet what the effects of the voting results will be.
They have effected a great change in the way we do our work.
- aggravate: verb, to make worse or more severe.
Example:
All this loud noise aggravates my headache.
- irritate: verb, to make impatient or angry or to make more sensitive.
Example:
His incessant prattling was really irritating me.
- allusion: noun, a reference, often literary, to something else.
Example:
That movie contained many allusions to Shakespeare’s works.
- illusion: noun, a deceiving image or perception.
Example:
His apparent wealth was nothing more than an illusion.
- a lot: (two words): adjective, many. Alot (one word) is not correct.
Example:
They received a lot of complaints after changing the design of their product.
- allot: (one word): verb, to distribute or to assign a share or portion.
Example:
The Nelsons chose to allot 10 percent of their income to charity.
- all ready: (two words): prepared.
Example:
The team members were all ready to go when we arrived to pick them up.
- already: (one word): adverb, previously; prior to a specified time.
Example:
They had already finished the presentation when we arrived.
- all right: (two words): adjective or adverb, agreeable or satisfactory.
Example:
Are you sure that it is all right if we arrive late tomorrow?
- alright: (one word): a variant of all right.
Note: Although alright is widely used, it is not used as frequently as all right: and it is considered nonstandard English by many.
- alternatively: adverb, having a choice between two or more things.
Example:
I would like to get a job in publishing; or, alternatively, I might enjoy working in distribution.
- alternately: adverb, occurring or succeeding by turn.
Example:
The guards pulled twelve-hour shifts alternately.
- altogether: (one word): adverb, entirely, wholly, completely.
Example:
I felt the movie was altogether too gory.
- all together: (two words): gathered; with everyone or everything in one place.
Example:
The managers were all together at the meeting last week.
- amiable: adjective, agreeable, easy to work with.
Example:
My new co-workers are quite amiable.
- amicable: adjective, peaceable, not hostile.
Example:
The manager and the director have quite an amicable relationship
- ascent: noun, climb.
Example:
After a quick lunch, they resumed their ascent toward the summit.
- assent: verb or noun, to give agreement.
Example:
The prospective employee assented to a background check.
- assure: verb, to make sure or certain or to give confidence to.
Example:
When they told the employees they were being laid off, they assured them it was only temporary.
- ensure: verb, to make sure or certain.
Example:
Before agreeing to an investment, my brother always ensures he will make a decent profit.
- insure: verb, to arrange for monetary compensation in the event of loss.
Example:
I don’t think that the building is adequately insured against possible damage.
- average: noun, the value derived by computing the sum of all of the numbers in a group and then dividing it by the number of numbers in the group.
Example:
The average score on the test was 87.
- median: noun, a value in an ordered set of numbers below and above which there is an equal number of values, or the mean of the two middle values if there is no one middle number.
Example:
The median price of homes in the area has doubled in the last ten years.
- awhile: adverb, for a short period of time.
Example:
I hope that we can stay at the park awhile.
- a while: noun, an unspecified (though usually short) amount of time.
Example:
They said they would arrive in a while.
- beside: preposition, next to.
Example:
He said he would always stand beside me.
- besides: adverb, also. Also used as a preposition meaning other than: or except.
Examples:
He likes to eat guacamole besides.
Did anyone besides Natalie arrive early?
- between: preposition, in the middle in relation to two things or people or in the time, space, or interval that separates two things.
Example:
The car between the two vans is mine.
- among: preposition, in or through the midst of or surrounded by.
Example:
Among all the people that I know, John is the most ambitious.
- bimonthly: adjective, occurring every two months. Can also be a publication distributed every two months.
Example:
Why don’t we discuss the issue at the bimonthly all-hands meeting?
- semimonthly: adjective, occurring twice a month.
Example:
All of our employees are paid semimonthly.
- blatant: adjective, completely obvious, conspicuous, or obtrusive, especially in a crude or offensive manner.
Example:
During his interview, the job applicant told blatant lies about his previous work experience.
- flagrant: adjective, conspicuously offensive; willful flouting of law or morality
Example:
The accountant’s flagrant violation of the law was apparent when he was arrested for embezzling company money.
- breath: noun, air inhaled or exhaled.
Example:
Eating some foods can cause bad breath.
- breathe: verb, to inhale or exhale.
Example:
During our aerobic training, we were taught to breathe evenly and deeply.
- can: verb, to be able.
Example:
My brother can run faster than I can.
- may: verb, to have permission. It can also imply possibility.
Examples:
Only employees may use the office cafeteria.
It may rain tomorrow.
- capital: noun, seat of government; also, an amount of money used for investment. As an adjective, it may refer to money or assets that add to the worth of an entity, or to an act that is punishable by death.
Examples:
Paris is the capital of France.
They plan to increase their advertising once they acquire more capital.
The money they poured into the company was a capital investment.
At one time, adultery was a capital offense.
- capitol: noun, the building in which the governing body meets.
Example:
My daughter’s class took a field trip to the capitol yesterday.
- cereal: noun, grain from plants such as corn or wheat.
Example:
I eat cereal every morning for breakfast.
- serial: adjective, of, relating to, consisting of, or arranged in sequence. Also a noun meaning series.
Examples:
Do you know what the serial number is on that item?
I believe that TV program is a serial, isn’t it?
- cite: verb, to quote or mention or to call attention to.
Example:
The author cited several other works that discuss the issue in more detail.
- sight: noun, the ability to see. Also verb, to catch sight of something.
Examples:
After she lost her sight, my grandmother listened to books on tape.
After the blizzard, several elk were sighted in town.
- site: noun, a place or location.
Example:
The employees arrive at the building site every morning at seven.
- coarse: adjective, rough, vulgar; the opposite of fine.
Examples:
This coarse material isn’t really appropriate for making clothing.
Coarse language is not appropriate.
- course: noun, a planned route or program or a playing range for golf. Also used in the expression of course.
Examples:
This math class is the hardest course I’ve ever taken.
Do you know the course to take to arrive at the summit?
- compliment: noun, a word of praise. As a verb, to give praise.
Examples:
Every day he pays his wife a heartfelt compliment.
He never hesitates to compliment someone for a job well done.
- complement: noun, something that completes, adds to, or fills in something else. As a verb, to complete by adding something to make something else whole.
Examples:
The new acquisition is a complement to our other holdings.
The portrait complements the other pieces of art in the office.
- compose: verb, to form the substance or parts of.
Example:
Our department is composed of many divisions.
- comprise: verb, to consist of.
Example:
Modern automobiles comprise many complex parts.
- connote: verb, to imply or suggest.
Example:
With this position comes all of the prestige such a title connotes.
- denote: verb, to refer to something specifically.
Example:
His bronze skin denoted many hours of labor in the sun.
- collaborate: verb, to aid or cooperate; to work together.
Example:
The whole team collaborated to finish the project on time.
- corroborate: verb, to confirm.
Example:
Their testimonies corroborate each other.
- conscience: noun, sense of right and wrong as related to one’s own conduct.
Example:
I’ve found it best to always let my conscience be my guide.
- conscious: adjective, capable of perceiving, noticing, or observing; aware of; awake.
Examples:
Until that moment, he was not conscious of the noise.
Will was barely conscious when the nurse came in to administer more medicine.
- console: verb, to give comfort in a time of need. Also, a noun meaning the control keyboard.
Examples:
I did my best to console my friend after the death of her spouse.
This console is completely baffling.
- consul: an individual who represents his or her country in a foreign country.
Example:
The British consul had made a wonderful impression on the government leaders.
- council: noun, a group that consults or advises or that is chosen to represent others..
Example:
The members of the town council could not agree on the issue.
- counsel: verb, to advise. It can also be a noun meaning advice or legal adviser.
Examples:
I counseled her not to act rashly.
My parents always gave me wise counsel.
Have you met the defendant’s counsel?
- credible: adjective, believable, trustworthy.
Examples:
The abundance of evidence he provided made his testimony seem credible.
I counseled her not to act rashly.
My parents always gave me wise counsel.
- credulous: adjective, too quick to believe.
Example:
After being swindled twice Jake was not so credulous anymore.
- deduce: verb, to infer from a general rule or principle or from information given.
Example:
After studying the relevant data, the directors deduced that a merger was disadvantageous.
- deduct: to subtract or take away from a total.
Example:
She chose to deduct money from her paycheck every month to give to charity.
- dependant: noun, a person who relies on someone else for support.
Example:
We have three dependants—two children and an oversized cat.
- dependent: adjective, to rely on someone or something for support.
Example:
He is dependent on his wife to pay the bills while he is attending school.
- device: noun, a piece of equipment or a technique.
Example:
We bought a new device that is supposed to let us access the Internet from anywhere in the world.
- devise: verb, to invent or form in one’s mind.
Example:
Mary has devised a plan to get everyone to come to the summer party.
- discreet: adjective, prudent and tactful.; showing good judgment or discernment.
Example:
The manager was very discreet when he let my former co-worker go after he found that he was not complying with company policy.
- discrete: adjective, separate, individually distinct.
Example:
Didn’t Texans always want to remain a discrete society?
- disinterested: adjective, impartial or fair.
Example:
The two companies called in a disinterested party to help them reach a compromise.
- uninterested: not interested.
Example:
Though he had earlier been an avid fan, my brother was uninterested in the outcome of the final game.
- e.g.: (exempli gratia): for example.
Example:
I think we need to order more office supplies (e.g., pens, notepads, and binders).
- i.e.: (id est): that is.
Example:
My favorite foods (i.e., exotic fruits) are sometimes hard to find.
- either: adjective, adverb, or pronoun, one or the other of two options. Also used as a conjunction before two or more coordinate words, phrases, or clauses.
Examples:
You can attend either meeting.
I will have to either attend the meeting or send someone else in my place.
- neither: adjective, adverb, or pronoun, not one or the other of two options. Also used as a conjunction meaning not either.
Example:
Neither my assistant nor I can make it to the meeting on Friday.
- elicit: verb, to draw forth or bring out.
Example:
The director was not sure how to elicit a truthful response from her colleague.
- illicit: adjective, illegal.
Example:
You will be terminated for participating in illicit activities.
- emigrant: noun, a person who leaves his or her native country to settle in another.
Example:
Many emigrants left their countries in search of a better life.
- immigrant: noun, a person who enters and settles in a new country.
Example:
Many immigrants easily adjust to life in their new country.
- eminent: adjective, standing out; outstanding, respected, or famous.
Example:
Today’s speaker is an eminent scholar from Purdue.
- immanent: adjective, inherent or intrinsic.
Example:
For some people, artistic ability seems to be immanent.
- imminent: adjective, about to happen or take place; threatening.
Example:
Stockholders believe a hostile takeover is imminent.
- enormity: adjective, the quality of being outrageous, evil, immoral, vicious, or improper. Also, the state or quality of being huge, or being of great importance.
Examples:
He could not believe the enormity of their brutal crimes.
The enormity of the building was overwhelming.
Lindsey was paralyzed by the enormity of the decisions she had to make.
- enormousness: adjective, marked by an extraordinarily great size.
Example:
The children were awed by the enormousness of the house.
- envelop: verb, to surround.
Example:
Soon smoke will envelop the inner offices.
- envelope: noun, a paper container, such as those used to send a letter.
Example:
He put the letter in an envelope and mailed it the next day.
- everyday: adjective, ordinary or routine.
Example:
I hope your being tardy will not turn into an everyday occurrence.
- every day: (two words): each day.
Example:
They prefer to eat ice cream every day.
- farther: adverb, at or to a greater distance or point.
Example:
You live farther away than I thought.
- further: adverb, additional; synonym for in addition: or moreover. Also, to a greater extent or degree.
Examples:
We are waiting for further information about the seminar.
He was further pleased to find out that he would receive a significant raise.
- fewer: pronoun, a smaller number of persons or things. Traditionally used with count nouns.
Example:
That town has fewer stores than I thought.
- less: adjective, a more limited amount or number. Traditionally used with mass nouns (items that are not countable).
Example:
Even though I bring home a larger paycheck than when I was in school, I get to spend less money.
- flammable: adjective, combustible; easily ignited.
Example:
Gasoline is very flammable.
- inflammable: adjective, combustible, easily ignited.
Example:
That type of paper is particularly inflammable.
- nonflammable: adjective, not combustible or easily ignited; not flammable.
Example:
This material is virtually nonflammable.
- flaunt: verb, to show off.
Example:
After her promotion, Jane liked to flaunt her new position.
- flout: verb, to show scorn or contempt for.
Example:
Because of the stiff consequences, no one dared flout the company policies.
- foreword: noun, a preface or introduction.
Example:
In the foreword, the author briefly explains the purpose for writing the biography.
- forward: adjective or adverb, near or toward the front. It is also a verb meaning to send forward or to help to move onward.
Examples:
As I waited, I slowly moved forward in the line.
When we moved, I forgot to have our mail forwarded to our new address.
He really felt he could forward his cause.
- formally: adverb, in a formal or traditional manner.
Example:
As of yet, we have not been formally introduced.
- formerly: adverb, previously.
Example:
Jackson Cox formerly worked as a member of our staff.
- good: adjective, of a favorable quality. Also, adequate or satisfactory. Modifies nouns.
Example:
The food was very good. Everyone in Nicky’s family is a good pianist.
- well: adverb, with skill or aptitude. Modifies verbs and adjectives.
Example:
Nicky plays the piano very well.
- incredible: adjective, amazing or extraordinary; too extraordinary and improbable to be believed.
Examples:
The quarterback made an incredible play in order to score the touchdown.
I’m sorry, but your story is just incredible.
- incredulous: adjective, unwilling to admit or accept what is offered as true.
Example:
Janet was incredulous when she heard that two feet of snow had fallen overnight.
- ingenious: adjective, clever, skillful.
Example:
The plan to revamp the program was ingenious.
- ingenuous: adjective, sincere and genuine; simple, natural, innocent.
Example:
If only we were all as ingenuous as we were as babies.
- it’s: contraction of it is.
Example:
It’s difficult to predict the outcome of an investment.
- its: adjective, belonging to something that is gender neutral; of or relating to it: or itself.
Example:
The baby sucked its thumb enthusiastically.
- lay: verb, to set or put something down (used to refer to objects). Also past tense of lie.
Examples:
I think they are going to lay the carpet tomorrow.
My son was sick, so he lay down for a little while.
- lie: verb, to recline or to be at rest or motionless in a horizontal position (used when referring to people or animals). Also, to tell a falsehood.
Examples:
I think I’ll just lie here for a few minutes until it’s time to get up.
I have never heard the man tell a lie.
- lead: verb, to guide, especially by going in front of someone else. Also can be a noun when referring to a type of metal.
Examples:
The professor will lead the discussion panel.
I don’t think that they make lead pencils anymore.
- led: verb, past tense of lead.
Example:
When he was head professor of the department, he always led the discussions.
- like: adjective, similar to or having the characteristics of something else.
Example:
I’ve often heard that teenagers are like toddlers.
- as: adverb, to the same degree or extent, in the same manner.
Example:
Example:
He treats everyone as a real friend would.
- loose: adjective, not securely attached or not tight.
Example:
My nephew likes to wear very loose clothing.
- lose: verb, to misplace, cease to have in one’s possession, or fail to win or tie.
Example:
Ralph decided to refund the customer’s money because he did not want to lose his business.
- masterful: adjective, domineering, fond of power or authority. Also, inclined to and capable of acting as master.
Example:
The masterful dictator exacted perfection of everyone, including himself.
- masterly: adverb, expert, skillful; having the skill of a master.
Example:
The masterly apprentice quickly outshined his mentor.
- passed: verb (past tense of pass), went by, already occurred. Also, to adequately complete; or, having got over something.
Examples:
I just barely passed Mike in the hall.
I passed my chemistry class!
My desire to buy a new car has finally passed.
- past: noun, the time that has gone before; a period prior to the present.
Example:
Despite his dedicated efforts, he found it difficult to get over the past.
- perquisite: noun, a special privilege that accompanies a position, role, or the like. It is often abbreviated to perk.
Example:
A perquisite of my new job is that I get to travel and see interesting places.
- prerequisite: noun or adjective, a requirement that must be met before something else can be done.
Example:
One of the prerequisites of being promoted is having worked for the company for three years.
- perspective: noun, seeing something as it relates to something else.
Example:
Sometimes, voicing your problems to a close friend or relation can help you gain proper perspective.
- prospective: adjective, likely to become in the future; relating to or effective at a future time.
Example:
The prospective employee was flown in for an interview.
- plain: adjective, unadorned or simple. Also, a level expanse of land.
Example:
Her preferred style is plain and understated.
He lived out on the plain for many years.
- plane: noun, a tool to make a surface smooth. Also short for airplane.
Example:
The carpenter obviously didn’t use a plane when he built this furniture.
- precede: verb, to come before.
Example:
I’m not sure who preceded Mr. Jensen as president of the company.
- proceed: verb, to go forward; to continue after a pause or interruption.
Example:
Please proceed with the rest of your statement.
- precipitate: verb, to cause to separate from a solution; to cause (especially vapor) to condense and fall or deposit. Also, to bring about, especially abruptly.
Examples:
Moisture began to precipitate from the walls of the sauna.
With the new policies, the company stakeholders hoped to precipitate change.
- precipitous: adjective, very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging in rise or fall.
Example:
The guide advised us to be careful, as this section of the trail was particularly precipitous.
- prescribe: verb, to order or to lay down as a rule. Also, to give a medical prescription.
Examples:
Her parents prescribed an early curfew after the accident.
The doctor prescribed an antibiotic when I saw her.
- proscribe: verb, to prohibit or condemn as harmful or unlawful.
Example:
City ordinances proscribe building homes on very small lots.
- principal: adjective, most important or influential. Also noun, a person in a leading position.
Examples:
The principal reason for the move was economic.
We met with the principal after school.
- principle: noun, a fact or belief on which other ideas are based.
Example:
I’m afraid there are more than just our principles at stake here.
- reality: noun, the quality or state of being real.
Example:
The reality of the situation was actually quite grave.
- realty: noun, related to real estate (property, buildings, homes, and the like).
Example:
Didn’t you say he used to work for a realty company?
- reticent: adjective, reserved in speech; inclined to be silent; restrained in expression or appearance.
Example:
He may be reticent in front of people, but when he writes, it is always superb.
- reluctant: adjective, unwilling or hesitant to act.
Example:
I was reluctant to change brands, but now I’m very glad that I did.
- right: adjective, correct or fair; the opposite of left. Also, something to which a person is entitled.
Examples:
Do you really feel that that is the right thing to do?
Make sure that you turn right at the first intersection.
In our country we hold certain rights to be self-evident.
- rite: noun, ceremony. May also refer to events of particular significance in a person’s life.
Examples:
The marriage rite is one of the most important in many people’s lives.
In some societies, turning a certain age brings with it a major rite of passage.
- wright: suffix form, worker. It is used in words such as playwright: and wheelwright.
Example:
I always wanted to be a playwright when I grew up.
- write: verb, to put or form words on paper or some other surface so that they can be read.
Example:
He writes letters to his loved ones nearly every day.
- role: noun or adjective, refers to the part a person plays on stage or in one’s life.
Examples:
My daughter has the lead role in her high school musical.
In his new company, John has a role very similar to that of his last job.
- roll: noun, a list of names, or a small loaf of bread. As a verb, it means to move by turning over.
Examples:
Please mark the roll when it comes to you to show that you were present.
We had homemade rolls with dinner last night.
Put blocks in front of the tires so that the car will not roll.
- seasonable: adjective, suitable to the particular season or circumstances; timely.
Example:
Dan made a seasonable purchase when he bought his snow blower, as it snowed heavily over the next few days.
- seasonal: adjective, of, relating to, or varying in occurrence according to the particular season. Also, affected or caused by seasonal need or availability.
Examples:
After living in a temperate climate for all of his life, John found it difficult to acclimatize to the seasonal weather changes.
Because of the abundant fall harvest, it was easy to obtain seasonal work.
- sensual: adjective, relating to or consisting in the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of appetite.
Example:
This eating establishment makes dining a truly sensual delight.
- sensuous: adjective, of or relating to the senses or sensible objects; having strong sensory appeal.
Example:
He couldn’t wait to bite into the sensuous steak.
- set: verb, to place with care or deliberate purpose and with relative stability.
Example:
When she arrived home, she set her purse on the counter.
- sit: verb, to rest on the buttocks or haunches.
Example:
After falling hard on the ice, it hurt to sit for a few days.
- some time: (two words): a certain amount of time.
Example:
It will take some time to transfer all of the necessary files.
- sometime: (one word): adverb, at some point or time.
Example:
I will plan to stop by sometime next week.
- sometimes: (one word): adverb, occasionally or once in a while.
Example:
Sometimes we visit my parents on Saturday.
- stationary: adjective, motionless, still.
Example:
For exercise, I ride my stationary bike.
- stationery: noun, paper designed especially for writing letters.
Example:
Letter writing is always more fun when you begin with beautiful stationery.
- statue: noun, a sculptured figure.
Example:
Did you see the statue of President Lincoln while you were there?
- stature: noun, physical size or status.
Examples:
His large stature will help him in his pursuit of a career in basketball.
Her heroism increased her stature literally overnight.
- statute: noun, written law.
Example:
Is that within the time designated by the statute of limitations?
- suppose: verb, to think or guess.
Examples:
I suppose that tomorrow it will probably rain again.
Yesterday he supposed that it might rain, but it never did.
- supposed: adjective, accepted as such; ought, should.
Example:
I was supposed to leave thirty minutes ago for the airport.
- than: conjunction, used when making a comparison.
Example:
Liz seems to work much harder than I do.
- then: adverb, shows a time sequence or order. Also, a result of consequence.
Examples:
Then he told me to take the afternoon off.
If you don’t go, then you will be sorely missed.
- that: pronoun, used to introduce restrictive clauses (clauses that are necessary to the meaning of the sentence). Because they introduce information that is essential for meaning, clauses beginning with that: should not be set off by commas.
Example:
The book that I just bought is on the table.
- which: pronoun, used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses (clauses that are not necessary to the meaning of the sentence). Because they introduce information that is not: essential for meaning, clauses beginning with which: should be set off by commas.
Example:
The book, which I bought yesterday, is on the table.
- their: adjective, of, related to, or belonging to them.
Example:
Walt and Connie had just barely talked to their children when they called us.
- there: adverb, a location more distant than here.
Example:
You can put the books there.
- they’re: contraction of they are.
Example:
Do you think they’re going to make it to the party?
- to: preposition, a function word used to depict action or movement.
Example:
We went to the store.
- too: adverb, also or to a greater degree.
Example:
Natalie is planning on going to the meeting too.
I think I ate too much last night.
- two: adjective, the number 2.
Example:
She bought two new books last night.
- through: preposition, into, out of, or by means of. Also adverb, from one end or side to the other; and adjective, finished.
Example:
I think we can go through this tunnel and save some time.
They went through the building to avoid the rain as much as possible.
Please let me know when you’re through reading that book.
- threw: verb, past tense of throw.
Example:
Unfortunately, he threw the ball through the window.
- thru: variant of through (informal).
Example:
Could we stop at the drive-thru?
- ware: noun, an object of a certain type (such as silverware, hardware, software, and so forth).
Example:
This is my mother’s antique silverware.
- wear: verb, to have on a person; to bear.
Example:
Have you decided what you will wear to the benefits dinner?
- where: adverb, at, in, or to a place.
Example:
Unfortunately, I don’t know where the meeting is being held.
- weather: noun, a temporary condition of the climate.
Example:
I heard that the weather is supposed to be sunny and warm this weekend.
- whether: conjunction, used when referring to alternative conditions or possibilities.
Example:
Have you decided whether or not you will participate in the fitness program?
- who’s: contraction of who is.
Example:
Do you know who’s planning on attending the seminar?
- whose: possessive form of who.
Example:
Can you tell me whose office this is?
- your: adjective, or, relating, or belonging to you.
Example:
Don’t forget your binder when you leave.
- you’re: contraction of you are.
Example:
Will you please tell me where you’re going?
Note: Many writers recommend not using the phrase a lot: in academic and formal writing because it is overused and is not very descriptive.
Note: Traditionally, the distinction between can: (ability) and may: (permission) has been observed, and careful writers still follow this guideline.
Note: Traditionally, compose: takes the preposition of; while comprise: does not take a preposition. Careful writers still make this distinction.
Note: Though these words are sometimes used interchangeably, it is useful to preserve the distinction between the two.
Note: Either is traditionally followed by or: and neither by nor.
Note: A person emigrates: from one country and immigrates: to another.
Note: Some people insist that enormity: should be used only in the first sense given above, but skillful writers have used it in the two additional senses indicated above for decades.
Note: Farther: and further: have long been interchangeable, though recently they have begun to diverge. Where no sense of distance is involved, further: is used.
Note: Though these two adjectives are often used interchangeably, careful writers preserve the distinction between the two terms.
Note: Flammable and inflammable are synonymous—they both mean easily set on fire. When you mean not flammable, use the word nonflammable.
Note: The verb forms of lay: are laying, laid,: and has laid. The forms of lie: (meaning to recline) are lying, lay, and has lain. The forms of the other kind of lie: (to tell a falsehood) are lying, lied, and has lied.
Note: Traditionally, like: has been used to compare objects when no verb form follows, and as: has been used to compare objects when a verb form does follow. Many writers still uphold this distinction.
Note: Some writers preserve a distinction between these two terms, though many use masterful: in the sense of having the skill of a master.
Note: Because that: and which: can offer an important distinction between essential and nonessential information, careful writers restrict the use of these two words to the contexts indicated above.
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