Title: CRT Review: Commonly Confused Words
Course: English 9 (B)

Commonly Confused Words

Part 1

The following are a list of words that are often confused and misused in writing.

To – Moving towards
Too – In addition, also
Two – The number two.

Examples:
I went to Washington D.C.
Scott is going too.
There are two of us going on the trip.

Than - comparison
Then – a specific time, next

Examples:
I enjoy playing soccer more than baseball.
We are going to play soccer, and then play baseball.

Weather – outside condition
Whether – if

Examples:
The weather is going to turn foul.
It matters little whether you want to play outside, you cannot do it.

Peace – the absence of war
Piece – part of a larger thing

Examples:
Let us be at peace with our neighbors
Would you like another piece of pie?

Council – a group that advices
Counsel – to advise

Examples:
I would counsel against moving out of state.
Let us present our plans to the council.

Councilor – A member of a council
Counselor – One who counsels

Examples:
You may step to the podium and and address the councilors.
You really need to hire an attorney as a counselor.

Part 2

The following is a list of words that are often confused and misused in writing.

Accept - to consider or hold as true; to receive
Except - take exception to; prevent from being included; to leave out

Examples:
She accepted the criticism with grace and understanding.
You may eat any of the pies, except the pumpkin pie.

Allusion - indirect mention
Illusion- a false perception of reality

Examples:
Her allusion to the president in her speech was uncalled for.
Your hope for being rescued is an illusion.

Breath - air inhaled or exhaled (noun)
Breathe - to inhale or exhale (verb)

Examples:
It is so cold I can see my breath.
You need to calm down and just breathe.

Its - possessive form of the pronoun it
It's - conjunction of 'it is'.

Examples:
The puppy will howl if you take away its food dish.
It's going to be a rainy day.

Principal - educator who has executive authority over a school
Principle - a rule or standard

Examples:
If you earn one more incomplete you will have to go see the principal.
This company was founded on three core principles.

Lose - to misplace; to not win
Loose - not tight; to release

You cannot lose this key.
If you cannot fix the engine, you will lose the race.
I forgot my belt and my pants are too loose.
The turkeys have been set loose.

Part 3

The following is a list of words that are often confused and misused in writing.

Affect - to influence
Effect - result (noun); to accomplish, to put into action, to do (verb)

You attitude will affect what you accomplish.
The special effects in the movie were outstanding.

Ascent - climb
Assent - agreement

The ascent to the top of the mountain was intense, but satisfying.
The president reluctantly gave his assent to the new law.

Cite - to quote
Sight - vision
Site - a place

If you do not cite your sources, it can be considered plagiarism.
When I stay up too late, my sight starts to blur.
This will be the site of the new courthouse.

Elicit - to draw or bring out
Illicit - illegal

It is very difficult to elicit a response from the students when they are asleep.
Jimmy was arrested for some type of illicit activity.

Passed - to pass
Past - a former time

He passed the turkey to Jim.
You cannot live in the past.

Part 4

The following is a list of words that are often confused and misused in writing.

All ready – prepared
Already – by this time

The teachers were all ready for the students to come on Monday.
We already have 30 students in this class, we can't take any more.

A part – to be joined with
Apart – to be separate

Please let me be a part of the team.
He tore the paper apart.

Capital – seat of government, assets available, wealth, first rate, uppercase
Capitol – a building occupied by a state legislature

What is the capital of Idaho?
How much capital were the investors able to raise?
The first word in a sentence needs to be capitalized
He is a capital fellow
We are heading up to the capitol building after lunch.

Lead – a type of metal, to guide somebody
Led – past tense of the verb 'to lead'.

Sarah is going to lead the expedition.
If you buy a house that was built in the 60s, you have to watch out for lead-based paint.
We were led astray by his deceptive practices.

Precede – to come before
proceed – to go forward

Pictures in the park will precede the wedding breakfast.
I'm sorry I stopped you, please proceed.

Stationary – standing still
Stationery – paper used in writing

The dog will remain stationary until his master calls him.
My parents gave me a nice stationery set, but I think I'll just e-mail them.

Part 5

Commonly Confused Words

Their – possessive form of they
There – location
They're – contractor for 'they are'.

I enjoy talking with Tim and Brenda. In fact, I'm going over to their house now.
I want you to walk over there and push that button.
Marc and Doug said they're going to the movies at 6:00.

Supposed to – to be obligated.
Suppose – to guess

You are supposed to be at school!
I suppose you think you're funny.

Who – pronoun that refers to a person or persons.
Whom – used as a subject

Who gave me this present?
To whom did you give the present?

Conscience – sense of right and wrong
Conscious – awake

When you are not sure what to do, always follow your conscience.
Robin just became conscious after her fainting spell.

Complement – something that completes
Compliment – praise

The maraschino cherry really complements an ice cream sundae.
Did Mr. Bean compliment you on your test score?

A lot – many
alot – not the correct form: DO NOT USE