May 3, 2023 1

TOP TEN WORDS MOST OFTEN CONFUSED/MISUSED

These common errors should be avoided in ALL writing! Points will

be deducted for each error.Special thanks to Nathan Wood for his contributions.Also, to Grammar Girl-I am a big fan of her websites!

May 3, 2023 2

TOP TEN LIST

1. They’re, Their, There

2. Your/You’re (you)3. To/Too/Two4. A lot/a lot5. It’s/its

6. S/s’/’s7. Then/Than8. COULD OF/MUST OF

SHOULD OF/WOULD OF(HAVE)

9. Who vs. That10. SVPS!(everyone, anyone, anybody,

everybody, a person, etc.-check subjects & pronouns, check subjects and verbs)!

May 3, 2023 3

ERROR #1THEY’RE

THEIRTHERE

May 3, 2023 4

They’re• This is a contraction of “they are”. It

should only be used when expressing they are.

• Example: They’re gone.

*In academic/formal writing one would avoid the use of contractions opting for They are instead, thus avoiding this error.

May 3, 2023 5

THEIR• This is a possessive word. It is only used to

express ownership. • Example: their books

May 3, 2023 6

THERE• This is the most commonly used form. It

expresses location. • Example: There are some students. Go

there.

May 3, 2023 7

ERROR #2YOUR

YOU’RE

May 3, 2023 8

YOUR• This is a possessive word. It is only used to

express ownership.• Example: Your books.

• WARNING: Be careful when typing that you do not type you when you mean your.

• Example: Be sure to bring you book to class.

May 3, 2023 9

YOU’RE• This is a contraction of you are. It should

only be used when expressing you are.• Example: You’re friendly.

*In academic/formal writing one would avoid the use of contractions opting for You are instead, thus avoiding this error.

May 3, 2023 10

ERROR #3TO

TWOTOO

May 3, 2023 11

TO• This word is a preposition. It expresses direction. • Examples: • Go to the store.• Whom* did you talk to?(Preferred academic would be-To whom did you talk?)

*Whom is used as the object form; you is the subject of the sentence.

May 3, 2023 12

TWO• This word expresses the number two (2). It

should only be used to express the number two.

• Example: Pick up two cases of pop.

May 3, 2023 13

TOO• This word is an adverb. It expresses also,

sufficiently, or extremely. It should only be used when these words could be substituted.

• Examples: I am going too. (also)• One can never have too much chocolate.

(sufficient)• I am too tired. (extremely)

May 3, 2023 14

ERROR #4A LOTALOT

May 3, 2023 15

A LOT

• If you wish to express a lot, write it as two SEPARATE words.

• Example: I have a lot of homework tonight.

• Alot-This is not a standard English word.– DO NOT USE UNDER ANY

CIRCUMSTANCES!

May 3, 2023 16

ERROR #5IT’S ITS

May 3, 2023 17

IT’S• This word is a contraction of it is. It should

only be used when expressing it is. • Example: It’s cold outside.

*In academic/formal writing one would avoid the use of contractions opting for It is instead, thus avoiding this error.

May 3, 2023 18

ITS• This is a possessive word. It is only used to

express ownership by something that is singular, and neither male nor female.

• Example: Its cord is not plugged in.

May 3, 2023 19

ERROR #6S‘SS’

May 3, 2023 20

S• The letter s is the most common way to

make words plural. It should be added to most words to indicate more than one.

• Examples: schools, books, desks, teachers

May 3, 2023 21

‘S• The ‘s is the most common method for

showing possession. It MUST be used to make a singular noun show ownership.

• Examples: • The school’s policies• Jim’s car• America’s flag

May 3, 2023 22

S’• The s’ is used to show that the word is

plural AND possessive. The s makes the word plural, and the apostrophe makes it possessive.

• Examples: • two schools’ policies• three teachers’ desks

May 3, 2023 23

ERROR #7THANTHEN

May 3, 2023 24

THAN• This word is used for comparisons. It

should be used to show a difference between two or more items.

• Examples: • He is taller than the door.• I did more work than they did.• Jim is smarter than Sam.

May 3, 2023 25

THEN• This word is used to express time or next

in order of sequence or place. It cannot be used to compare in any circumstance.

• Example: • I went to English class, then math.

May 3, 2023 26

ERROR #8COULD OFMUST OF

SHOULD OFWOULD OF

These are not standard English

DO NOT EVER USE!

May 3, 2023 27

ERROR #8• All should be

expressed with the helping verb have.

• Could have• Must have

• Should have• Would have

• *In academic/formal writing one would avoid the use of contractions opting for could have etc. instead, thus avoiding this error

May 3, 2023 28

ERROR #9WHO VS. THAT

May 3, 2023 29

WHO

• WHO is used to indicate or in reference to a human.

• The skateboarder that does tricks is awesome. (Wrong!)

• The skateboarder who does tricks is awesome.

Example: My grandma, who bakes delicious cookies, is coming over for Mother’s Day.

Additional notes: A. a comma is used before and after the who clause because it describes grandma but is not necessary to the sentence because we know it is your grandma. This is called a nonessential clause.B. Notice the apostrophe in Mother’s as it is possessing a particular day.

May 3, 2023 30

THAT

• THAT is used to indicate nonhumans or inanimate objects.

Examples: The dog that bit me is at the pound.The rock that was found by the little boy,

weighed 10 pounds.

May 3, 2023 31

#10. SINGULAR VS. PLURALSVP’S

• Singular versus plural can happen between subjects and verbs, subjects and pronouns and all three.

• The “number” is determined by the SUBJECT.

• Be careful with verbs: is/are (singular/plural present tense) and was/were (singular/plural past tense).

May 3, 2023 32

• Anyone, Everyone, Someone, Anybody, Everybody, Each, Anything, etc.

Most often people use “their” as the associated pronoun. For example,

Everyone needs to bring their book to class.This is incorrect.

May 3, 2023 33

SVP (singular versus plural)

• WRONG-This author is able to pour a lot of creativity and emotion into their writing.

• CORRECT-This author is able to pour a lot of creativity and emotion into his writing.

• WRONG-The people who left their books is responsible for the mess.

• CORRECT- The people who left their books are responsible for the mess. OR The person who left his/her book is responsible for the mess.

May 3, 2023 34

POSSESSIVE PRONOUN

• The correct pronoun(s) to use with anyone, everyone, someone, anybody, everybody, is his/her.

• Everyone needs to bring his/her book to class.

May 3, 2023 35

TOP TEN PLUSWORDS MOST OFTEN CONFUSED/MISUSED

Now let’s go further!50 and counting!

These common errors should be avoided in ALL writing! Points will be deducted for each error.

May 3, 2023 36

#11EVERYDAY

vsEVERY DAY

May 3, 2023 37

EVERYDAY• This word is an adjective. It describes a

noun.• Example: • I wear my everyday jacket to school.

May 3, 2023 38

EVERY DAY• These words are an expression of time.

• Example: • She wears the blue jacket every day.

May 3, 2023 39

#12ALL READY

vsALREADY

May 3, 2023 40

ALL READY• All ready means prepared.

• Example: John is all ready to go to school.

May 3, 2023 41

ALREADY• Already means previously.

• Example: Mom was going to clean the house, but Dad already did it.

May 3, 2023 42

#13. ACCEPT vs. EXCEPT

Accept means “to agree to”

Except means “with the exclusion of”

• I will accept all the recommendations except the last one.

May 3, 2023 43

#14. ADVICE vs. ADVISE

ADVICE (noun): counsel

ADVISE (verb): to recommend

If I ask for her advice, she may advise me to quit.

May 3, 2023 44

#15. AFFECT vs. EFFECT

AFFECT-MOSTLY A VERB: to influenceHis performance affected me.

She affected an air of superiority.

(noun) She had a happy affect. (from the field of psychology to acknowledge an emotion)

EFFECT-MOSTLY A NOUN: the result

That drug has dangerous effects.

The sound effects were amazing.

(verb) to bring aboutThe teacher effected certain

changes.• Visit grammargirl on line for more fun

information• http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/affect-

versus-effect.aspx

May 3, 2023 45

#16. AISLE vs. ISLE

• AISLE: a passage between sections of seats.

The bride walked down the aisle.

• ISLE: a small islandHe was stranded on the isle for 7 days before

a plane rescued him.

May 3, 2023 46

#17. All Right vs. Alright

• NEVER USE ALRIGHT it is not standard English.

• ALWAYS use ALL RIGHT.• Even when “alright” means okay it is still

slang.• Can be used in creative writing in dialogue, but it is not

acceptable in academic writing.

May 3, 2023 47

#18. Altogether vs. All together

• Altogether means “entirely” or “on the whole” (overall)

• All together means that each of the parts of a group are considered at once.

Examples: Altogether, the band played well.

The band played well all together.

May 3, 2023 48

#19. AMONG vs. BETWEEN

AMONG: use when referring to THREE or more of something.

BETWEEN: use when referring to TWO only of something.

May 3, 2023 49

#20. AMOUNT vs. NUMBER

AMOUNT: use to refer to money or to things that cannot be counted.

NUMBER: use to refer to things that can be counted.

The amount of student interest was measured by the number of homework assignments turned in.

May 3, 2023 50

#21. ANY ONE vs. ANYONE

• Spell as two words when followed by “of”

• Spell as one word when the accent is on “any”

• Example: Anyone is allowed to attend any one of the classes.

May 3, 2023 51

ANYWAYS

anywayS is NOT A WORD!!!

The word is anyway (NO S!)

Now you know, right?

May 3, 2023 52

#22. ARE vs. OUR

• ARE-

• OUR- possessive pronoun.

• Proof read carefully.

May 3, 2023 53

#23. BECAUSE

• Because and cause are two different words.

• Because (conjunction): for the reason that

• Cause: reason, motive – Cause pronounced as “cuz” is slang!

• NEVER USE CUZ.

May 3, 2023 54

#24. CAN vs. MAY

Can indicates abilityMay indicates permission

Example: I can finish the project on time if I may have someone help me.

I can play the piano.May I use a bathroom pass?

May 3, 2023 55

#25. COMPLEMENT vs. COMPLIMENT

COMPLEMENT (noun): something that completes

Example: A direct object is a sentence complement.

Also a (verb) to make whole or bring to perfection.Example: That color complements your eyes

COMPLIMENT (noun): Expression of praise.Example: Her hair receives many compliments.

May 3, 2023 56

#26. COUNCIL vs. COUNSEL

May 3, 2023 57

#27. Decent vs Descent

May 3, 2023 58

#28. DESSERT vs. DESERT

• I’d rather have two s’s in dessert, sugar and sweets, than one s in desert, sand!

May 3, 2023 59

#29. DEFINITELY vs. DEFIANTLY

• DEFINITELY: having distinct limits, fixed, clear in meaning

• DEFIANTLY: bold, impudent, challenge, a disposition to resist.

May 3, 2023 60

#30. E.G. vs. I.E.e.g.: means “for example” and is followed by a comma.

Latin: exempli grati E=example

i.e.: means “that is” or “in other words” and is followed by a comma. Use i.e. as a transition and use it to introduce a restatement or explanation of a preceding expression.Latin: id est I=in other words

The assignment has merit: e.g., (for example) it is helpful, forward-looking and educational.

Unfortunately, it is also controversial; i.e., (that is/in other words) it will generate some unfavorable opinions.

May 3, 2023 61

#31. EMINENT vs. IMMINENT

EMINENT: means well-known.

IMMINENT: means about to happen.

The arrival of the eminent teacher from Harvard is imminent.

May 3, 2023 62

#32. FARTHER vs. FURTHER

FARTHER: refers to distance(think- literal)

FURTHER: refers to extent or degree(think-figurative)

• Example: We drove 10 miles farther while we discussed the matter further.

• The farther he throws the ball, the further his chances are to be MVP.

May 3, 2023 63

#33. FEWER vs. LESS

FEWER: use fewer to refer to things that can be counted.

LESS: use less to refer to money or to things that cannot be counted.

Alvin worked fewer hours on his homework and therefore generated a less interesting assignment.

May 3, 2023 64

#34. GOOD vs. WELL

• Good is an adjective

• Well is an adverb or an adjective when referring to health.

• Example: Joe does a good job and performs well on tests, even when he does not feel well.

• I am doing well.

May 3, 2023 65

#35. IMPLY vs. INFER

IMPLY (verb): suggest (speaker or writer)The lawyer implied that her client had been treated

badly. (think-throw)

INFER (verb): conclude (listener or reader) (think-catch)

I inferred from your argument that you intend to win.

A higher level thinking skill!

May 3, 2023 66

#36. KNEW vs. NEW

• Knew/new are two different words.• Know/now are two different words

Knew is the past tense of know.Know is KnowledgeNew: not oldNow: at the present time, or in view of the fact.

May 3, 2023 67

#37. LAY vs. LIE• Lay (laid, laying) means “to put” and requires an

object to complete its meaning.

• Lie (lay, lain, lying) means “to rest”• Examples: • Please lay the supplies on the shelf.• I laid the folders in the drawer• I lie on the couch when I get home from school.• The report lay on his desk for two days.

May 3, 2023 68

#38. LOOSE vs. LOSE

LOOSE: not fastened

LOSE: to be unable to find

Do not lose the loose change in your pocket.

May 3, 2023 69

#39. PASSED vs. PAST

• Passed is a verb meaning to move on or by.

• Past is an adjective, adverb or preposition meaning “earlier”

• Example:That car has passed me in the past.

May 3, 2023 70

#40. PRINCIPAL vs. PRINCIPLE

PRINCIPAL: most important or leading person.The principal person in our school is our

principal, Mrs. Bustard. The principal is my pal!

PRINCIPLE: rule or lawHe lives by his code of ethics, his principles.His principles would never allow him to cheat on

the assignment.

May 3, 2023 71

#41. REAL vs. REALLY• Real is an adjective. Do not use real to modify

another adjective.• Really is an adverb. Adverbs can “add” to a verb,

another adverb, or an adjective. • WRONG: He is real good at soccer.• (test-can you say he is “real” at soccer? If not, it is modifying “good” and it

is wrong!)

• CORRECT: He is really good at soccer.• EX: She was really (not real) proud (to what extent

was she proud=adverb) that her necklace contained real pearls (what kind of pearls=adjective).

May 3, 2023 72

#42. SENSE vs. SINCE

• Sense is a noun meaning to perceive or having to do with any of the senses, understanding or common sense.

• Since means from that time or event until now.• Example: His sense was that the room had not

been cleaned since the last family had moved out.

May 3, 2023 73

#43. SET vs. SITSET: (set, setting) to place

SIT: (sit, sat, sitting) to be seated

Please set your papers on the table.She set the computer on the desk.I have set the computer there before.Please sit in the chair.She sat in the first-class section.I had not sat there before.

May 3, 2023 74

#44. SITE vs. CITE vs. SIGHTSITE (noun): a locationHe chose a wonderful site for his new house.

Also for websitesCITE (verb): to refer toHe cited several sources in his research project.

SIGHT (noun/verb): the ability to see or something that is seen.

He lost his sight when he was five.The nearly extinct bird was sighted flying over the jungle.

May 3, 2023 75

#45. STATIONARY vs. STATIONERY

STATIONARY: remaining in one place.

STATIONERY: writing paper.

I used my personal stationery to write to them to ask whether the computer should remain stationary.

May 3, 2023 76

#46. SURE vs. SURELY• Sure- means free from doubt.• Sure is an adjective. Do not use sure to modify

another adjective.• WRONG: I am sure happy today.• Surely is an adverb.• CORRECT: I am surely happy today.

• Example: I’m surely (not sure) glad that she is running and feel sure that she will be nominated.

May 3, 2023 77

#47. Uninterested vs. Disinterested

• Uninterested means “having no interest.”

• Disinterested means “neutral” or “unbiased”

May 3, 2023 78

#48. WEATHER vs. WHETHER

WEATHER (noun): general condition of temperature.

Check the weather before you dress.Also a verb: to get through safelyWe will weather any storm together.

WHETHER (conjunction): if it be the case that; either

He asked whether we were going.

May 3, 2023 79

#49. WHOSE vs. WHO’S

• Whose is a possessive pronoun.

• Who’s is a contraction for “who is.”

• Example: Who’s going to let us know whose turn it is to pick up donuts.

May 3, 2023 80

#50. LED vs. LEAD

May 3, 2023 81

# 51. QUIET vs. QUITE

May 3, 2023 82

#52. MORAL vs. MORALE

May 3, 2023 83

#53. PERSONAL vs. PERSONNEL

May 3, 2023 84

• You are to write either a poem or a short story that incorporates at lease 10 items from the list. You are to use BOTH of the words from each of the 10 numbers. Use them both correctly in context.

• Please underline each of the words and write the error # it matches.