TOP TEN+ MISUSED WORDS

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

be deducted for each error.

ERROR #1

THEY’RE

THEIR

THERE

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

should only be used when expressing they are. Example: They’re gone.

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

express ownership.

• Example: their books

THERE• This is the most commonly used form. It

expresses location.

• Example: There are some students. Go there.

ERROR #2

YOUR

YOU’RE

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.

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

only be used when expressing you are.

• Example: You’re friendly.

ERROR #3

TO

TWO

TOO

TO• This word is a preposition. It expresses

direction.

• Examples: Go to the store.

• Whom did you talk to?

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.

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.

• One can never have too much chocolate.

• I am too tired.

ERROR #4

A LOT

ALOT

A LOT

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

• Example: I have a lot of homework tonight.

• AlotThis is not a standard English word.

– DO NOT USE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!

ERROR #5

IT’S

ITS

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

only be used when expressing it is.

• Example: It’s cold outside.

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.

ERROR #6

S

‘S

S’

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

‘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

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

ERROR #7

THAN

THEN

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.

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.

ERROR #8COULD OFMUST OF

SHOULD OFWOULD OF

• These are not standard English.• DO NOT EVER USE!• All should be expressed with the helping verb

have.• Could have• Must have• Should have• Would have

ERROR #9

EVERYDAY

vs

EVERY DAY

EVERYDAY• This word is an adjective. It describes a

noun.

• Example: I wear my everyday jacket to school.

EVERY DAY• These words are an expression of time.

• Example: She wears the blue jacket every day.

ERROR #10

ALL READY

vs

ALREADY

ALL READY• All ready means prepared.

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

ALREADY• Already means previously.

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

PRACTICE

• You are to write either a poem or a short story that incorporates all of the items from the error list.

• You are to use the words CORRECTLY.

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

TOP TEN PLUS!

Now let’s go further!

45 and counting!

#11. SINGULAR VS. PLURAL PRONOUN USAGE

• Anyone, Everyone, Someone, Anybody, Everybody.

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

Everyone needs to bring their book to class.

This is incorrect.

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.

#12. ACCEPT vs. EXCEPT

Accept means “to agree to”

Except means “with the exclusion of”

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

#13. ADVICE vs. ADVISE

ADVICE (noun): counsel

ADVISE (verb): to recommend

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

#14. AFFECT vs. EFFECT

AFFECT (verb): to influence

His performance affected me.

EFFECT (noun): the result

That drug has dangerous effects.

(verb) to bring about

The teacher effected certain changes.

#15. AISLE vs. ISLE

• AISLE: a passage between sections of seats.

The bride walked down the aisle.

• ISLE: a small island

He was stranded on the isle for 7 days before a plane rescued him.

#16. All Right vs. Alright

• NEVER USE ALRIGHT it is not standard English.

• ALWAYS use ALL RIGHT.

#17. Altogether vs. All together

• Altogether means “entirely” or “on the whole”

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

#18. AMONG vs. BETWEEN

AMONG: use when referring to THREE or more.

BETWEEN: use when referring to TWO.

#19. 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.

#20. 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.

#21. BECAUSE

• Because and cause are two different words.

• Because (conjunction): for the reason that

• Cause: reason, motive

• NEVER USE CUZ.

#22. CAN vs. MAY

Can indicates ability

May indicates permission

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

#23. 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.

#24. DESSERT vs. DESERT

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

#25. DEFINITELY vs. DEFIANTLY

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

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

#26. E.G. vs. I.E.

e.g.: means “for example” and is followed by a comma.

i.e.: means “that is” 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.

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

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

#27. EMINENT vs. IMMINENT

EMINENT: means well-known.

IMMINENT: means about to happen.

The arrival of the eminent teacher from Harvard is imminent.

#28. FARTHER vs. FURTHER

FARTHER: refers to distance

FURTHER: refers to extent or degree.

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

#29. 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.

#30. 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.

#31. IMPLY vs. INFER

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

treated badly.

INFER (verb): conclude (listener or reader)I inferred from your argument that you

intend to win.A higher level thinking skill!

#32. KNEW vs. NEW

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

Knew is the past tense of know.

Know is Knowledge

New: not old

Now: at the present time, or in view of the fact.

#33. 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.

#34. LOOSE vs. LOSE

LOOSE: not fastened

LOSE: to be unable to find

Do not lose the loose change in your pocket.

#35. 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.

#36. 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.

#37. REAL vs. REALLY

• Real is an adjective. Do not use real to modify another adjective.

• Really is an adverb.

• Example:• She was really (not real) proud (to what extent

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

#38. 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.

#39. SET vs. SIT

SET: (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.

#40. SITE vs. CITE vs. SIGHT

SITE (noun): a locationHe chose a wonderful site for his new house.

CITE (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.

#41. 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.

#42. SURE vs. SURELY

• Sure is an adjective. Do not use sure to modify another adjective.

• Surely is an adverb.

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

#43. Uninterested vs. Disinterested

• Uninterested means “having no interest.”

• Disinterested means “neutral” or “unbiased”

#44. 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.

#45. 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.

CAREFULLY PROOF READ FOR:

• Led vs. lead

• Quiet vs. quite

• Moral vs. morale

• Personnel vs. personal

• 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.