Usage
affect/effect: Affect is a verb that means "to influence": Counsel's explanation did not affect the hearing officer's decision. The noun effect means "a result": The effect of her decision was financially devastating. As a verb, effect means "to cause to come into being": The new chief thought he could effect a needed change in morale.
among/between: Among is used for three or more entities: Many local runners are among those training for this weekend's race. Between is used when two entities are involved: There is an intense rivalry between the two schools.
fewer/less: Fewer refers to people or objects that can be counted; less refers to general amounts: Fewer technicians means less work will be done today.
its/it's: Its is the possessive form: The board forwarded its recommendations. It's is a contraction of it is: It's time for a party.
lead/led: As a noun, lead is a kind of metal. As a verb, lead means "to conduct." A guide will lead a tour of the ruins. Led is the past tense of the verb "to lead": He led the firm for twenty years.
loose/lose: Lose is a verb whose past tense is lost: Did you lose your elevator card, again? Loose is generally an adjective for "not tight": I have a few loose screws.
maybe/may be: Maybe is an adverb: Maybe the negotiators will succeed this time. May and be are verbs: The rumor may be true.
passed/past: Passed is the past tense of the verb to pass: Everyone passed the test. Past means "beyond a time or location": The band marched past the bleachers.
principal/principle: As a noun, principal means "chief person" or "main or original amount": The principal of Waldorf's Feline Academy prefers titled cats. We paid only the interest on the principal. The adjective principle means "a basic truth": The parties have reached an agreement in principle.
who/whom: Who is used as a subject or subject complement: Who is the new guy in administration? Call Jennifer, who I know has the answer [who is the subject of the verb phrase "has the answer"]. Whom is used as an object: Bill, whom we all know, has just retired [whom is the object of the phrase "we all know"].
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YOU ARE HERE EDUCATOR’S GUIDE
4 months ago
13 comments:
This is fantastic! Thanks so much! I always get past and passed mix up. I know what it is, but still, I go and write the wrong one.
Will print this baby out.
Great tips!
Another two words that continually trip me up are advice and advise.
Advice, a noun, is the recommendation regarding a decision or course of conduct.
Advise, a verb, is the act of giving advice.
My professor advised me about the advice presented in his paper.
A trick I learned years ago to help with spelling and knowing when to use lose/loose chose/choose is:
I chose to lose my nose.
Remember to choose the loose goose.
Thanks, AGAIN, Kim.
Blessings,
Jean
Bish: Thanks for these ones and the tricks to help remember them. :)
These are great. One of my pet peeves is misuse or wrong spelling of words. (though I'm sure I do it, too :)
I get so frustrated when people write could of instead of could've... My inlaws both also always says acrossed instead of across until my hubby pointed it out. My father in law was laughing that he's said it all his life and wondered how many times he said it in important business meetings!
Excellent post, Kim! They are words that many people (self included) get confused.
I LOVE that sheet. I have it posted by my computer and I refer to it all of the time. Thanks Kim!
Good list--stationery/ary is another one often abused.
Thanks for the 'cheat sheet'...I am so bad with its/it's...and then/than...for some reason I always stop and think about that one also...
Printing out and hanging next to computer...Thanks...
Oh, how funny -- Nathan is doing this in language right now. Great list.
Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader - ummmm...not always.
:)
Kim, this is fantastic, thanks. I'm ALWAYS using the wrong word. Isn't that what crit groups/partners are for?!
Kai: I luv my crit partners - don't no wat me'd dew without 'em
;D
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