April 19, 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!

April 19, 2023 2

TOP TEN LIST

1. They’re, Their, There

2. Your/You’re (you)

3. To/Too/Two

4. A lot/alot

5. 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)!

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ERROR #1

THEY’RE

THEIR

THERE

April 19, 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.

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

express ownership.

• Example: their books

April 19, 2023 6

THERE• This is the most commonly used form. It

expresses location.

• Example: There are some students. Go there.

April 19, 2023 7

ERROR #2

YOUR

YOU’RE

April 19, 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.

April 19, 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.

April 19, 2023 10

ERROR #3

TO

TWO

TOO

April 19, 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.

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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.

April 19, 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)

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ERROR #4

A LOT

ALOT

April 19, 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!

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ERROR #5

IT’S

ITS

April 19, 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.

April 19, 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.

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ERROR #6

S

‘S

S’

April 19, 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

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‘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

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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

April 19, 2023 23

ERROR #7

THAN

THEN

April 19, 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.

April 19, 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.

April 19, 2023 26

ERROR #8COULD OFMUST OF

SHOULD OFWOULD OF

These are not standard English

DO NOT EVER USE!

April 19, 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

April 19, 2023 28

ERROR #9WHO VS. THAT

April 19, 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.

April 19, 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.

April 19, 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).

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• 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.

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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.

April 19, 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.

April 19, 2023 35

TOP TEN PLUSWORDS MOST OFTEN CONFUSED/MISUSED

Now let’s go further!

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

April 19, 2023 36

#11

EVERYDAY

vs

EVERY DAY

April 19, 2023 37

EVERYDAY• This word is an adjective. It describes a

noun.

• Example:

• I wear my everyday jacket to school.

April 19, 2023 38

EVERY DAY• These words are an expression of time.

• Example:

• She wears the blue jacket every day.

April 19, 2023 39

#12

ALL READY

vs

ALREADY

April 19, 2023 40

ALL READY• All ready means prepared.

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

April 19, 2023 41

ALREADY• Already means previously.

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

April 19, 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.

April 19, 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.

April 19, 2023 44

#15. AFFECT vs. EFFECT

AFFECT-MOSTLY A VERB: to influence

His 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

April 19, 2023 45

#16. 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.

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#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.

April 19, 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.

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#19. AMONG vs. BETWEEN

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

BETWEEN: use when referring to TWO only of something.

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#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.

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#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.

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#22. ANYWAYS

anywayS is NOT A WORD!!!

The word is anyway (NO S!)

Now you know, right?

#23. Apart vs A part

• Apart-into pieces or parts; ex. To take a watch apart; separately in place, time, motion, etc. New York and Chicago are far apart.

• A part =article and a noun: ex.

• He had a part in the play.

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#24. ARE vs. OUR

• ARE-verb

• OUR- possessive pronoun.

• Proof read carefully.

April 19, 2023 54

#25. 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.

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#26. CAN vs. MAY

Can indicates ability

May 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?

April 19, 2023 56

#27. 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.

April 19, 2023 57

#28. COUNCIL vs. COUNSEL

• Council-noun-a group of people gathered together to consider a topic or to deliberate ideas.

• Counsel-noun-advice given– Verb-to give advice

April 19, 2023 58

#29. Decent vs Descent

• Decent-adjective-respectable, worthy

• Descent-noun-the act or process of moving from a higher position to a lower one; one who comes from a previous ancestor or parentage

April 19, 2023 59

#30. DESSERT vs. DESERT

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

April 19, 2023 60

#31. DEFINITELY vs. DEFIANTLY

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

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

April 19, 2023 61

#32. 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.

April 19, 2023 62

#33. EMINENT vs. IMMINENT

EMINENT: means well-known.

IMMINENT: means about to happen.

The arrival of the eminent teacher from Harvard is imminent.

April 19, 2023 63

#34. 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.

April 19, 2023 64

#35. 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.

April 19, 2023 65

#36. 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.

April 19, 2023 66

#37. 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!

April 19, 2023 67

#38. 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.

April 19, 2023 68

#39. 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.

April 19, 2023 69

#40. LED vs. LEAD

• Led-verb-simple past tense of lead– He led us around the park.

• Lead-verb-to go before, act as a guide– He will lead us on the tour.

• Lead-noun-the first or foremost place– He is the lead guitarist.

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#41. LOOSE vs. LOSE

LOOSE: not fastened

LOSE: to be unable to find

Do not lose the loose change in your pocket.

April 19, 2023 71

#42. MORAL vs. MORALE

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#43. 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.

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#44. PERSONAL vs. PERSONNEL

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#45. 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.

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# 46. QUIET vs. QUITE

April 19, 2023 76

#47. 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).

April 19, 2023 77

#48. 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.

April 19, 2023 78

#49. 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.

April 19, 2023 79

#50. SITE vs. CITE vs. SIGHT

SITE (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.

April 19, 2023 80

#51. 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.

April 19, 2023 81

#52. 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.

April 19, 2023 82

#53. Uninterested vs. Disinterested

• Uninterested means “having no interest.”

• Disinterested means “neutral” or “unbiased”

April 19, 2023 83

#54. 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.

April 19, 2023 84

#55. 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.

April 19, 2023 85

Practice Activity

• You are to write either a poem or a short story that incorporates at least 10 items from the list. You are to use BOTH of the words from each of the 10 numbers you select (so 20 words from the list). Use them both correctly in context.

• Please underline or bold each of the words and write the error # it matches in parenthesis after it. Your words do not have to appear in the same sentence as they do in the example. They may appear anywhere throughout the piece. It is written this way merely as a sample.

• Example:

• It’s (#5) not too (#3) late to (#3) give the dog its (#3) bath; is it?