Commonly Confused Words
The Prime Directive: When in doubt, pull the dictionary out.
- accept / except
- Accept means to approve, admit, or receive. Except means to leave out or exclude.
- affect / effect
- Affect is the action that causes a change. Effect is the end result.
- allot / a lot
- Allot means to divide and share. A lot means a large amount. Mnemonic: If you start with a lot but it gets allotted, you may end up with not much.
Note: “Alot” is not a word. - as / like / such as
- Use as when the subject is the thing being described. Use like for comparison. Use such as to mean “for example.”
Example: Fruits such as pears and apples are healthy. - buy / by
- Buy means to purchase. By means next to or near. Mnemonic: There are only two letters, so they have to be side by side.
- capital / capitol
- Capitol refers only to the government building with a dome. Capital is used in all other contexts. Mnemonic: The “o” in capitol looks like its dome.
- complement / compliment
- Complement means to complete or enhance. Compliment means to say something nice.
- desert / dessert
- Dessert (the after-dinner treat) has a second “s” because we usually want seconds. Desert is dry and uncomfortable.
- elicit / illicit
- Elicit means to bring out or draw forth. Illicit means illegal or against the rules.
- eminent / imminent
- Eminent means important or noteworthy. Imminent relates to time and means “about to happen.” Mnemonic: “Imminent” sounds like “in a minute.”
- infer / imply
- To infer is to draw a conclusion based on evidence. To imply is to suggest indirectly.
- its / it’s
- Its is possessive. It’s is a contraction meaning “it is.” Mnemonic: Possessive pronouns do not use apostrophes.
- lay / lie
- Lay means to place something down (requires an object). Lie means to recline.
Example: Lay the quilt on the bed, then lie down for a nap. - peace / piece
- A piece is a portion. Peace means harmony.
- pedal / petal
- A pedal is pushed with a foot. A petal is part of a flower.
- principal / principle
- A principal is a leader or chief. A principle is a rule or belief.
- right / write
- Write relates to words. Right means correct, fair, or opposite of left.
- than / then
- Than is used for comparison. Then answers the question “When?”
- that / who
- Use that for things and who for people.
- there / their / they’re
- There refers to place. Their is possessive. They’re is a contraction meaning “they are.”
- to / too
- To indicates direction or is part of an infinitive. Too means “very” or “excessive.” Mnemonic: Too has too many o’s.
- weather / whether
- Weather refers to atmospheric conditions. Whether introduces alternatives.
- were / we’re / where
- Were is the past tense of “be.” We’re means “we are.” Where refers to place.
- who’s / whose
- Who’s means “who is.” Whose is possessive.
- your / you’re
- Your shows possession. You’re means “you are.”
Note: Not all commonly confused words contain visual or auditory cues. Some must simply be memorized, but mnemonic devices can help with many of them.