1.
Accept/Except- Although these two words sound
alike (they’re homophones), they have two completely
different meanings. “Accept” means to willingly receive
something (accept a present.) “Except” means to exclude
something (I’ll take all of the books except the one with
the red cover.)
2.
Affect/Effect- The way you “affect” someone can
have an “effect” on them. “Affect” is usually a verb and
“Effect” is a noun.
3.
Alright- If you use “alright,” go to the chalkboard and
write “Alright is not a word” 100 times.
4.
Capital/Capitol- “Capitol” generally refers to an official
building. “Capital” can mean the city which serves as a seat of
government or money or property owned by a company. “Capital” can
also mean “punishable by death.”
5.
Complement/Compliment- I often must compliment my wife on
how her love for cooking perfectly complements my love for grocery
shopping.
6. Comprise/Compose- The article I’m composing
comprises 32 parts.
7. Could
Of- Of the 32 mistakes on this list, this is the one that
bothers me most. It’s “could have” not “could of.” When you hear
people talking, they’re saying “could’ve.” Got it?
8.
Desert/Dessert- A desert is a hot, dry patch of sand.
Dessert, on the other hand, is the sweet, fatty substance you eat
at the end of your meal.
9.
Discreet/Discrete- We can break people into two discrete
(separate) groups, the discreet (secretive) and indiscreet.
10. Emigrate/Immigrate- If I leave this country
to move to Europe, the leaving is emigrating and the arriving is
immigrating.
11. Elicit/Illicit- Some people post illicit
things on message boards to elicit outrageous reactions from
others.
12.
Farther/Further- Farther is used for physical distance,
whereas further means to a greater degree.
13.
Fewer/Less- Use fewer when referring to something
that can be counted one-by-one. Use less when it’s
something that doesn’t lend itself to a simple numeric
amount.
14.
Flair/Flare- A flair is a talent, while a flare is a burst
(of anger, fire, etc.)
15.
i.e/e.g- I.e. is used to say “in other words.” E.g. is
used in place of “for example.”
16.
Inflammable- Don’t let the prefix confuse you, if
something is inflammable it can catch on fire.
17. It’s/Its- It’s= it is. Its=a possessive
pronoun meaning of it or belonging to. Whatever you do, please
don’t use its’.
18. Imply/Infer- A reader infers what an author
implies. In other words, when you imply something, you hint at it.
When you infer something, you draw a conclusion based on clues.
19. Literally- If you say “His head literally
exploded because he was so mad!” then we should see brains
splattered on the ceiling.
20. Lose/Loose- If your pants are too loose you
may lose them. That would be almost as embarrassing as misusing
these two words.
21. Moral/Morale- Morals are something you want
to teach your kids. If your team’s morale is low, you need to do
something to boost their confidence.
22.
Percent/Percentage- The word “percent” should only be used
when a specific number is given. “Percentage” is more of a general
term.
23.
Stationary/Stationery- You are stationary when you aren’t
moving. Stationery is something you write on.
24.
Then/Than- “Then” is another word for “after.”
Incidentally, the word “then” makes for boring writing. “Than” is a
comparative word (e.g. I am smarter than you).
25. There/Their/They’re- There are few things
as frustrating as when I look at my students’ writing and they’re
misusing these words in their writing.
26.
Unique- Something can’t be “kind of unique” or even “very
unique.” It’s either one-of-a-kind or it isn’t. There is no in
between when it comes to unique.
27.
Your/You’re- If I had a nickel for every time I saw this
one… yeah, you know the rest. “Your” shows ownership and you’re is
a contraction meaning “you are.” Get it right.
28.
To/Too/Two- Two is a number. “To” is used in instances
such as, “I am going to the store.” If you are supposed to use the
word “too,” try inserting the word “extra” or “also.” If one of
those fits, you need to also add the extra “o” to make “too.”
29.
Lie/Lay- After you lay the books on the table, go lie down
on the couch.
30. Sit/Set- Set your drink on the table and
sit in your chair. Got it?
31. Whose/Who’s- Whose is the possessive form
of who. Who’s is a contraction meaning “who is.”
32.
Allude/Elude- When someone alludes to something in
conversation (indirectly references), if you aren’t paying
attention the meaning may elude you (escape
you).