Difficult Words!

To/Too/Two

0 “To” is a preposition or part of an infinitive. It introduces a prepositional phrase or comes before a verb. It often answers the question where?

0 “Too” is an adverb meaning also or very.0 “Two” is an adjective; it is the name of a number.

Raphael got _____ A’s on his report card.Juan felt _____ confused to ask any questions.Jason is going ____ the store.

Quite/Quit/Quiet

0 “Quite” is an adverb meaning completely, very, or entirely. It rhymes with “fight.”

0 “Quit” is a verb meaning stop or cease. It rhymes with “sit.”0 “Quiet” is an adjective meaning calm, silent, or noiseless.

As a verb, it means soothe or calm. As a noun, it means tranquility or peaceful.

When the professor began handing out the exams, the room suddenly went ____ .I hope Dan can ____ smoking this time.The instructor was ____ surprised by the student’s answer.

Where/Wear/Were

0 “Where” is an adverb referring to a place or location.0 “Wear” is a verb that means put on or tire out. When

it is a noun, it means weakening.0 “Were” is a verb; it is the plural past tense of be.

The jeans ___ too tight for him.The father said, “___ do you think you are going, young man?”The kids will ___ out those shoes if they ___ them too often.

Which/Witch

0 “Which” is a pronoun dealing with choice. As an adverb, it introduces a subordinate (less important) clause.

0 “Witch” is a noun meaning sorceress or enchantress.

I don’t know _____I should consult about my future.This car, _____I have never driven, is the one I’m thinking of buying._____type of soup do you want?

Weather/Whether

0 “Weather” is a noun referring to the condition outside.

0 “Whether” is an adverb used when referring to a possibility.

Let me know ____ or not you are interested in the new class.The _____ has gotten gloomy.

Than/Then

0 “Than” is a conjunctive word used to make a comparison.

0 “Then” is an adverb telling when or meaning next.

_____, the group discussed the ways in which the new procedures would work better.I like cheese cake better ___ pie.

Choose/Chose

0 “Choose” is a verb meaning select. It rhymes with “bruise.”

0 “Chose” is the past tense of choose; it means selected. It rhymes with “hose.”

Henry ____ flex hours on Friday afternoons.I will _____ the same item off the menu that I had last week.

Affect/Effect

0 “Affect” is a verb meaning alter, inspire or move emotionally or imitate.

0 “Effect” is a noun meaning consequences; as a verb, it means cause.

What _____ will this restructuring have on profits? How will this plan _____ our jobs?

Accept/Except

0 “Accept” is a verb meaning to receive willingly or to approve.

0 “Except” is a verb meaning to exclude or leave out.

I love all cats, _____ black ones.This instructor _____ late essays.

Already/All ready

0 “Already” is an adverb meaning as early as this, previously, or by the same time.

0 “All ready” means completely ready.

We are _____ to go to the movies.We had _____ finished the job.At the age of four, Bridgette is _____ reading.

Remember: The following words should always be separated, even though it is common to see them

put together:

0All right0Even though we often see this word written in

informal documents, there is no such word as “alright.”

0A lot0Even though we often see this word written in

informal documents, there is no such word as “alot.” The two words must always be separated.

0Example: I thought it was all right that we allotted tickets to a lot of our best customers.

REMEMBER

0Remember: None of the possessive pronouns are spelled with an apostrophe: mine, your, yours, his, hers, their, theirs, ours, and whose.

0An apostrophe in a pronoun is always replacing a missing letter in a contraction. The following are examples of contractions and words that they are commonly confused with.

It’s/Its

0 “It’s” means it is or it has.0 “Its” shows ownership before a noun.

Look at my book; ______ cover is ripped.______ such a nice day.

You’re/Your

0 “You’re” means you are.0 “Your” shows ownership before a noun.

Is this _____ pen?_______ going to need a pen for the exam.

They’re/Their/There

0 “They’re” means they are.0 “Their” shows ownership before a noun.0 “There” is an adverb used to show a place. Sometimes it

is also used to start a thought when the true subject follows the verb.

Put the heavy box right _____.Do you have _____ new address?I suspect that _____ are several files missing._____ will be no meeting today.I found your glasses; _____ on the kitchen table.

Who’s/Whose

0 “Who’s” means who is or who has.0 “Whose” shows ownership before a noun.

______ book is on my desk?______ in charge of ordering the supplies?

Could’ve/Could of

0 “Could’ve” is the contraction for could have; therefore, “could of” (or “would of” or “should of”) is always incorrect!

0 If she had known I was worried, I am sure she would’ve (would have) called.