Commonly Confused Words
1. Allusion vs. Illusion
An allusion refers to implying or referring to something, especially in literature.
Ex. The horse mentioned in the text is clearly an allusion to the Trojan horse.
An illusion refers to a misleading image, object, or idea that does not exist as it appears.
Ex. The magician created the illusion of a disappearing coin.
2. Among vs. Between
Among is used when referring to three or more.
Ex. Among the paintings was an original Picasso.
Between is used when referring to two.
Ex. I am stuck in traffic between Alden Rd. and Pennell Dr.
3. Effect vs. Affect
An effect is a result or a consequence. (usually a noun)
Effect may also function as a verb meaning “to bring about something.”
Ex. The effect was catastrophic. OR
He effected the change in the existing system.
An affect is to have an impression, influence, or effect on something. (usually a verb)
Ex. This greatly affected his mental state that evening.
4. Fewer vs. Less
Fewer is used when referring to things that can be counted.
Ex. There were fewer customers than anticipated.
Less is used when referring to uncountable and usually abstract nouns.
Ex. I have less patience than Ted.
5. Hanged vs. Hung
Hanged refers to the past tense and past participle of hang (to put to death).
Ex. Many people were hanged during the Salem Witch Trials.
Hung refers to the past tense and past participle of hang (to suspend).
Ex. He hung the picture on the wall.
6. Imply vs. Infer
To imply means to suggest something without specifically stating it.
Ex. Are you implying that I did something wrong?
To infer means to draw a conclusion about something that hasn’t been directly stated.
Ex. From your statement, I can infer that you believe he is guilty.
7. Lie vs. Lay
Use lie when the object is laying itself down.
Ex. I am going to lie down.
OR
Go lie down on the couch.
Use lay when the object is being laid down.
Ex. I will lay the book on the table.
OR
Now I lay me down to sleep.
8. Many vs. Much
Many is used when referring to a large but definite number. Many refers to things that can be
counted.
Ex. I have too many shoes.
Much is used when referring to something great in quantity, amount, extent or degree. Much refers
to things that can not be counted.
Ex. You have too much time on your hands.
9. Rise vs. Raise
Use rise when the object is lifting itself. Rise is an intransitive verb.
Ex. I rise each morning at six.
Use raise when the object is being risen by another force. Raise is a transitive verb.
Ex. She raised her hand at the teacher’s request.
10. Than vs. Then
Than is used to draw a comparison.
Ex. I like vanilla more than chocolate.
Then is used to refer to time/at that time.
Ex. I went to the store; then I went to David’s graduation.
11. Their vs. They’re vs. There
Their is the third person plural pronoun. It indicates a possession or relationship.
Ex. Their dog was in the backyard.
They’re is the contraction of “they” and “are.”
Ex. They’re going to the amusement park on Friday.
There is used to refer to a specific location, position, or time. It may also be used to introduce a
sentence of clause when the verb has no definite subject.
Ex. The books are over there.
OR
There will be cake at the party.
12. To vs. Too
To is used with verbs to form the infinitive or as a preposition expressing movement towards
something.
Ex. It is important to tell the truth.
OR
We went to the mall.
Too is used to show an extensive degree or as a synonym of “also.”
Ex. He is too young for that ride.
OR
I am going to the movies too.
13. Who vs. Whom
Who is used when it is the subject of a sentence or a predicate noun.
Ex. Who wants ice cream?
Whom is used when it is the direct object, the indirect object, or the object of a preposition.
Ex. Whom did you ask to the dance? OR You are giving the ring to whom?
14. Whose vs. Who’s
Whose is a pronoun expressing possession.
Ex. Whose car are we taking?
Who’s is the contraction of who is.
Ex. Who’s going to the concert?
Commonly Confused Words Practice Exercises
For each of the following sentences, circle the correct word choice:
1.
We discussed the multiple literary (illusions/allusions) within the text.
2.
(Among/Between) me and you, I think Kallie won the contest.
3.
She had too (many/much) sweaters in her closet.
4.
Alex was (to/too) excited to sleep.
5.
(Their/They’re/There) going to the amusement park tomorrow.
6.
The sugar had a negative (effect/affect) on the science experiment.
7.
Nicole has (fewer/less) shoes than Sara.
8.
The gas prices continue to (raise/rise).
9.
Michael (hanged/hung) the picture for his mother.
10. Cindy, (lay/lie) the book on the table.
11. John scored higher on the exam (then/than) I did.
12. (Who/Whom) wants to go to the mall tonight?
13. Haley did not mean to (infer/imply) that Jenny was to blame.
14. John had (less/fewer) travel time because he lives closer to the airport.
15. (Whose/Who’s) watch is this on the counter?
16. I am going to (lie/lay) down for an hour.
17. The disappearing penny was simply an optical (allusion/illusion).
18. The book is on the table over (their/there/they’re).
19. (Whose/Who’s) responsible for the advertising of the event.
20. From your words, I can (infer/imply) that you think he is guilty.
21. The weather greatly (effected/affected) the outcome of the race.
22. (Their/They’re/There) books are on the bottom shelf.
23. Earlier today we walked (to/too) the ice cream parlor.
24. The prisoner was (hung/hanged) last night.
25. There are red roses scattered (among/between) the carnations.
26. Kelly ordered her lunch, and (then/than) she went back to work.
27. Mark wanted (to raise/to rise) the flag at the assembly today.
28. (Who/Whom) did you ask to the party?
29. There was too (much/many) chlorine in the pool.
Commonly Confused Words Practice Answers
1.
Allusion
2.
Between
16. Lie
3.
Many
17. Illusion
4.
Too
18. There
5.
They’re
19. Who’s
6.
Effect
20. Infer
7.
Fewer
21. Affect
8.
Rise
22. Their
9.
Hung
23. To
10. Lay
24. Hanged
11. Than
25. Among
12. Who
26. Then
13. Imply
27. Raise
14. Less
28. Whom
15. Whose
29. Much
Words Commonly Confused Worksheet
Part 1: For each of the following sentences, circle the word or words that best complete
the sentence correctly.
1. I couldn’t decide ( which / witch ) color shoes I wanted.
2. If a cat falls ( of / off ) the counter, it will land on its feet.
3. Make sure you do ( your / you’re ) homework right after school.
4. I talked ( to / too / two ) my brother yesterday.
5. ( Are / Our ) you going to be on ( are / our ) baseball team?
6. He bought ( to / too / two ) speakers ( to / too / two ) complete his stereo system.
7. I saw ( their / there / they’re ) mom sitting ( their / there / they’re).
8. I think ( their / there / they’re ) in trouble!
9. New surgeries for blind people can restore ( their / there / they’re ) sight.
10. The dog chewed on ( its / it’s ) squeaky toy.
11. My neighbor dressed as a ( which / witch ) for Halloween.
12. She couldn’t remember ( were / where ) she had put her purse.
13. I would rather be poor and happy ( than / then ) rich and sad.
14. Do you think ( its / it’s ) going to rain?
15. ( Know
No ), you may not go to that concert unless ( your / you’re ) 18.
16. After practice, I walked ( strait / straight ) to my bed, ( to / too ) tired to eat.
17. ( Were / Where ) you scared during the movie at all?
18. Clean your room, and ( than / then ) you may watch TV.
19. The site of the new shopping mall will be over ( their / there / they’re ).
20. ( Which / Witch ) ( of / off ) them do you want?
21. I ( hear
here ) that you’ve won a trip to Europe.
22. I do not ( no / know ) the answer to this problem.
23. I’m not sure ( weather / whether ) it will rain this weekend or not.
24. My friends have seen me ( threw / through ) some difficult times.
25. She was ( quiet / quite ) surprised by her birthday present.
26. If the ( weather / whether ) is bad, we will have to cancel our camping trip.
27. In study hall, all students must be ( quiet / quite ).
28. He ( threw / through ) the ball right ( hear / here ) and broke a car window.
Part 2: Circle the misused words in the paragraph below. Above the error, write the
correct word choice.
In Cambodia, around 55 miles north of Phnom Phen, tarantula spiders our commonly
eaten by the locals, but travelers who pass threw often try them, to. (Would you take a bite of
one? I don’t no weather I would or not. I’d have too be starving! Maybe their better then
worms, though.) The practice began in the days of the Khmer Rouge when food was to scarce
and the people where hungry. But apparently the locals developed a taste for the furry eightlegged arachnids, and now their a major part of the town’s dietary intake. According too the
people who eat spiders, there quiet good! Hundreds of spiders are hunted, cooked, and sold
every day in what must be one of the more unusual 'fast food' arrangements in the world.
(From weird-food.com)
Part 3: On a separate sheet of paper, write one sentence for each set of words, underlining
each commonly confused word. (You may write more than one sentence per set if needed.)
Staple the paper to this sheet.
Example: I’m quite excited that the students are quiet today so we can all write!
1. (were, where, we’re)
2. (its, it’s)
3. (your, you’re)
4. (there, their, they’re)
5. (to, too, two)
6. (then, than)
COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS PRACTICE
Instructions: These are common words that cause problems for readers and writers because although they are spelled
differently, they sound the same. Choose the correct word from the option.
1. In years (past, passed), we stayed up until midnight on New Year’s Eve.
2. I always (loose, lose) track of time.
3. This is in (plane, plain) English.
4. (Your, You’re) going to the circus, aren’t you?
5. (There, Their, They’re) the only people going to the party.
6. Isn’t that (your, you’re) transistor radio?
7. (It’s, Its) my birthday today.
8. After we eat (desert, dessert), let’s go see a movie.
9. Are we (already, all ready) to go?
10. Bob was a witness at the (capitol, capital) building.
11. My dog buried his bone (here, hear).
12. Camels travel well on the (desert, dessert).
13. Stormy (whether, weather) is due tomorrow.
14. We signal our dog to stay (quite, quiet) by touching her collar.
15. The inspector knew (whose, who’s) keys they were.
16. Did you walk (to, too, two) school today?
17. Phyllis is (there, their, they’re) daughter. 18. Honesty is a good (principal, principle) to live by.
19. Moses (lead, led) them to the Promised Land.
20. Everyone (except, accept) me went to the school dance.
21. Have you lost your contacts (all ready, already)?
22. I ordered (stationary, stationery) with my name on it.
23. Teddy didn’t know (whether, weather) to study or watch TV.
24. That was (quiet, quite) an exciting game, wasn’t it?
25. The horse stamped (its, it’s) foot (to, too, two) times.
26. (May, Can) I go the to party tonight at Jan’s house?
27. I’m too tired. I don’t think I could run one inch (further, farther).
28. My dress shoes are very different (from, than) Tony’s.
29. (Less, Fewer) people live in Russia than China.
30. I would really like to go (someplace, somewhere) fun tomorrow.
31. A large (amount, number) of students will go deer hunting this week.
32. I used to do (alright, all right) in science, but recently, I don’t like it (alot, a lot).
33. My brother will go to (a, an) university next year.
34. (Witch, which) house is yours; why does that (witch, which) look scary?
35. Please turn (of, off) the CD player.
36. (They’re, Their) waiting for us.
37. Don’t lose (your, you’re) bag.
38. (It’s, Its) been awful recently. 39. I think I know (who’s, whose) it is.
40. I haven’t (quite, quiet) finished.
41. He bought, brought) his brother along.
42. Do you think this knot is too (lose, loose) ?
43. The police made a (through, thorough) search of the house.
44. His (advice, advise) is usually very good.
MORE COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS PRACTICE
1. I couldn’t decide ( which / witch ) color shoes I wanted.
2. If a cat falls ( of / off ) the counter, it will land on its feet.
3. Make sure you do ( your / you’re ) homework right after school.
4. I talked ( to / too / two ) my brother yesterday.
5. ( Are / Our ) you going to be on ( are / our ) baseball team?
6. He bought ( to / too / two ) speakers ( to / too / two ) complete his stereo system.
7. I saw ( their / there / they’re ) mom sitting ( their / there / they’re).
8. I think ( their / there / they’re ) in trouble!
9. New surgeries for blind people can restore ( their / there / they’re ) sight.
10. The dog chewed on ( its / it’s ) squeaky toy.
11. My neighbor dressed as a ( which / witch ) for Halloween.
12. She couldn’t remember ( were / where ) she had put her purse.
13. I would rather be poor and happy ( than / then ) rich and sad.
14. Do you think ( its / it’s ) going to rain?
15. ( Know No ), you may not go to that concert unless ( your / you’re ) 18.
16. After practice, I walked ( strait / straight ) to my bed, ( to / too ) tired to eat.
17. ( Were / Where ) you scared during the movie at all?
18. Clean your room, and ( than / then ) you may watch TV.
19. The site of the new shopping mall will be over ( their / there / they’re ).
20. ( Which / Witch ) ( of / off ) them do you want?
21. I ( hear here ) that you’ve won a trip to Europe.
22. I do not ( no / know ) the answer to this problem.
23. I’m not sure ( weather / whether ) it will rain this weekend or not.
24. My friends have seen me ( threw / through ) some difficult times.
25. She was ( quiet / quite ) surprised by her birthday present.
26. If the ( weather / whether ) is bad, we will have to cancel our camping trip.
27. In study hall, all students must be ( quiet / quite ).
More Commonly Confused Words
Identify the number of the sentence and the corrected version of the commonly confused word (write down the number of
a sentence twice if it contains two commonly confused words) :
Mistakes in each passage: 10
Passage A
1
Did you know that until May 5 of every year, your not really working for yourself? 2A group in Washington,
D.C., has learned that it takes workers an average of four months and four days to earn enough to pay there taxes. 3The
group found in it’s study that taxes eat up 34 percent of all the income in the United States. 4So, if workers used they’re
entire income for taxes, they would not be threw paying them until May. 5Being that May 5 is the first day people really
work for themselves, the study group has some advise. 6It would like a bill past naming May 5 “Tax Freedom Day.” 7On
that day, you would give yourself a brake, irregardless of how hard you worked. 8For, from May 5 on, you would finally
be you’re own boss.
1. _______ 2. _______ 3. _______ 4. _______
5. _______ 6. _______ 7. _______ 8. _______
Passage B
1
Did you ever daydream about writing you’re life story? 2Do you think that your life is too dull, or you can’t
right? 3Anyone’s life story is filled with fascinating events, and writing them down in the best way you no can give you a
sense of accomplishment and, perhaps, leave a valuable inheritance to your family. 4The first thing to do is to buy a loseleaf notebook. 5Each page of the book should be titled with a significant milestone in your life—from your first dog to
your proudest moment. 6You should than jot down a few key words in the book whenever a memory comes back to you.
7
The idea is not to begin with “I was born . . .” and try to write a chronological history of your hole life. 8Just delve into
your passed at random; one memory will trigger another. 9It will become quiet easy after a while.
write in your own language.
11
Plane, honest writing is the goal.
1. _______ 2. _______ 3. _______ 4. _______ 5. _______
6. _______ 7. _______ 8. _______ 9. _______ 10. _______ 11. _______
10
Its also important to