Skill 22
Watch for Words That Are Often Confused
Some people claim that the English language is difficult to learn because there are many words that are easily confused for each other, and people often mistakenly use one word in a particular situation when a different word is required.
For example, people often use the words less and fewer incorrectly. The word less is used in referring to something that can’t be counted. Conversely, fewer is used when something can be counted.
“I completed the job in less time than George took to do it” is the correct use of the word less. “I completed the job in fewer hours than George took to do it” is also correct. Time is a concept that can’t be counted, but hours or minutes certainly can be counted.
Here is another example:
Correct: There is less fog today than yesterday. (You cannot count fog.) |
Correct: There were fewer foggy days this month than last. (You can count foggy days.) |
Affect and effect are another pair of words that are very commonly misused. Affect is a verb that means “to act on” or “to produce a change in.” Effect is a noun that means “a result or consequence.” |
Incorrect: The vitamin pill I added to the soup did not effect its taste. |
Correct: The vitamin pill I added to the soup did not affect its taste. |
Incorrect: The drought is having a bad affect on our crops. |
Correct: The drought is having a bad effect on our crops. |
There are many words like these that can trip people up as they are reading, speaking, or writing. See how good you are at choosing the correct word.
Test Yourself!
Read each sentence and select the word that should be used to make the sentence correct. Circle the letter of your choice.
They all came to the theater accept/except the lead actor.
Accept
Except
The salesperson made an allusion/illusion to the computer problems that were typical of that brand.
Allusion
Illusion
The decorations were all ready/already taken down before his surprise arrival.
All ready
Already
Her husband, an eminent/imminent psychiatrist, received a lifetime achievement award.
Eminent
Imminent
The dog started barking as soon as its/it’s master left the house.
Its
It’s
Because of the weight loss, his pants were lose/loose.
Lose
Loose
It’s time to precede/proceed to the next step in the sequence.
Precede
Proceed
It’s time to right/write the autobiography of my life.
Right
Write
His conscience/conscious told him not to follow through with his plans.
Conscience
Conscious
His score on the ASVAB was higher then/than that of any of his classmates.
Then
Than
He was about to accept/except the package when he saw it was not meant for him.
Accept
Except
When he was in trouble, he went to his father for some advice/advise.
Advice
Advise
Kurt is going to borrow/lend me his leather jacket for the weekend party.
Borrow
Lend
Where/were is the nearest fast food restaurant?
Where
Were
The magician was thru/threw/through/thorough with his act at the birthday celebration.
Thru
Threw
Through
Thorough