Confusing Word Pairs

Confusing Word Pairs
Note: This document should only be used as a reference and should not replace assignment guidelines.
Accept/Except
accept: A verb meaning to agree to or to receive.
EXAMPLE: I accept your apology.
except: A preposition meaning excluding.
EXAMPLE: I like all vegetables except broccoli.
Affect/Effect
affect: A verb meaning to influence.
EXAMPLE: Will missing class affect my grade?
effect: A noun meaning result or a verb meaning to cause.
EXAMPLES: The effect of missing class will be a lower grade. (noun)
Only the supervisor could effect change to the rules. (verb)
Allusion/Illusion
allusion: A noun describing an indirect reference to something.
EXAMPLE: The speaker made an allusion to a Greek myth.
illusion: A noun indicating something that misleads or gives a false meaning or appearance.
EXAMPLE: A magician uses illusion to entertain the audience.
Among/Between
among: A preposition meaning common to that refers to three or more people or things.
EXAMPLE: There was a discussion among the group of friends.
between: A preposition meaning common to that refers to two people or things.
EXAMPLE: The argument was between Ramon and me.
Cite/Site/Sight
cite: A verb meaning to quote an example or authority.
EXAMPLE: You must cite all of your sources in your research paper.
site: A noun meaning a particular place.
EXAMPLE: We visited several tourist sites.
sight: A noun describing the function of seeing.
EXAMPLE: Human beings have five senses: sight, touch, taste, sound, and smell.
Compliment/Complement
compliment: A noun that means an expression of flattery, praise, or admiration.
EXAMPLE: Her compliment of my new dress made me smile.
complement: A noun that means to complete or to add to something.
EXAMPLE: Butter is the perfect complement for bread.
Council/Counsel
council: A noun meaning a group of people who meet together to make decisions.
EXAMPLE: Kamri was elected president of the schools student council.
counsel: A noun meaning advice or a verb meaning to advise.
EXAMPLES: My mom gave me good counsel about living on my own. (noun)
She counseled me to not procrastinate my homework. (verb)
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Explicit/Implicit
explicit: An adjective meaning direct.
EXAMPLE: Professor Anderson gave explicit instructions for writing the paper.
implicit: An adjective meaning implied. It is the opposite of explicit.
EXAMPLE: Her description of the party contained an implicit insult of the host.
Farther/Further
farther: An adjective that describes an actual distance and that means a greater extent or degree.
EXAMPLE: My house is farther from campus than yours.
further: An adjective meaning more distant in degree, time, space, or quantity.
EXAMPLE: Nothing could be further from the truth.
Fewer/Less
fewer: An adjective meaning a small number that refers to things that can be counted.
EXAMPLE: Children have fewer teeth than adults.
less: An adjective meaning little that refers to a general amount or non-countable measurement.
EXAMPLE: I prefer less salt on my popcorn.
Good/Well
good: An adjective meaning suitable.
EXAMPLE: It was a good movie.
well: An adverb meaning in a proper manner.
EXAMPLE: She plays basketball well.
Imply/Infer
imply: A verb meaning to suggest or state indirectly that refers to the action of the speaker.
EXAMPLE: He implied that I wasnt capable of completing the job.
infer: A verb meaning to conclude that refers to the action of the listener.
EXAMPLE: I inferred there was trouble from the sight of the police cars.
Its/Its
its: A personal possessive pronoun of it.
EXAMPLE: The bird broke its wing.
its: A contraction meaning it is or it has.
EXAMPLE: Unfortunately, its time to leave, even though its been a while since Ive seen you.
Lay/Lie
lay: A verb that means to put or place and that needs a direct object.
EXAMPLE: Lay the book on the table.
lie: A verb that means to rest or recline and that takes no direct object.
EXAMPLE: Im going to lie down for a while.
Like/As
like: A preposition meaning resembling closely.
EXAMPLE: The boy swam like a fish.
as: An adverb meaning equally that is used when making a comparison.
EXAMPLE: Bryce dressed up as a doctor for his presentation.

Loose/Lose
loose: An adjective meaning not tight.
EXAMPLE: I like to wear loose clothing.
lose: A verb that means to misplace or to be defeated.
EXAMPLE: I hate it when I lose my keys.
May be/Maybe
may be: A verb phrase meaning it might be possible.
EXAMPLE: The storm may be more hazardous than we thought.
maybe: An adverb showing possibility.
EXAMPLE: Maybe you should go to the doctor and have your sore throat checked.
Principal/Principle
principal: A noun meaning the head of a school or an adjective meaning most important.
EXAMPLES: Mrs. Smith, the principal of the school, is a very energetic woman. (noun)
The principal speaker of the program spoke first. (adjective)
principle: A noun meaning a basic truth.
EXAMPLE: Lying is against my principles.
Quite/Quiet/Quit
quite: An adverb meaning whole or complete.
EXAMPLE: He is quite thorough in his calculations.
quiet: An adjective meaning not making noise.
EXAMPLE: Please be quiet; the baby is sleeping.
quit: A verb meaning to stop or give up.
EXAMPLE: I quit my job last Thursday.
Set/Sit
set: A verb meaning to place and requiring a direct object.
EXAMPLE: Ashley set her books on the table and got a snack.
sit: A verb meaning to be seated and that takes no direct object.
EXAMPLE: Come sit by me.
Than/Then
than: A conjunction introducing a second element in a comparison.
EXAMPLE: I am taller than my sister.
then: An adverb meaning at that time, next, or after.
EXAMPLE: He picked up the tickets, and then he picked up his date.
There/Their/Theyre
there: An adverb meaning in that place.
EXAMPLE: Put the books down there.
their: A personal possessive pronoun for they.
EXAMPLE: Its their fault!
theyre: A contraction for they are.
EXAMPLE: Theyre going to eat dinner at seven.

Thorough/through/threw
thorough: An adjective meaning complete in all respects.
EXAMPLE: Steve did a thorough job washing my car.
through: A preposition meaning in one side and out another side.
EXAMPLE: To get to my apartment, you must drive through the tunnel.
threw: The irregular past tense form of the verb throw.
EXAMPLE: Chris threw the ball at me and hit me in the head.
To/Too/Two
to: Either a preposition or the initial part of an infinitive verb phrase.
EXAMPLES: My mom sent me to the store. (preposition)
To break the law is wrong. (infinitive)
too: An adverb meaning also.
EXAMPLE: I like dancing, and I like singing, too.
two: An adjective describing the number that is more than one but less than three.
EXAMPLE: I have two dogs.
Weather/Whether
weather: A noun referring to the condition of the atmosphere.
EXAMPLE: We are having unusual weather for this time of year.
whether: A conjunction that indicates a choice between things.
EXAMPLE: Sarah couldnt decide whether she should go to the dance or stay home and study.
Whose/Whos
whose: A personal possessive pronoun for who.
EXAMPLE: Whose book is that anyway?
whos: A contraction for who is or who has.
EXAMPLES: Whos here?
Whos got the answer?
Would of/ Wouldve

would of: This is the incorrect form of would have.
wouldve: A contraction for would have.
EXAMPLE: I wouldve gotten a better grade if I had tried harder.
Your/Youre
your: A personal possessive pronoun for you.
EXAMPLE: Is that your new car?
youre: A contraction for you are.
EXAMPLE: Youre a good friend.


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Confusing Word Pairs

Library 208 801-863-8936 www.uvu.edu/writingcenter

Library 208 801-863-8936 www.uvu.edu/writingcenter

Library 208 801-863-8936 www.uvu.edu/writingcenter

Would of/ Wouldve

Library 208 801-863-8936 www.uvu.edu/writingcenter

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