Common confusions
accept / except
cloths / clothes
sauce / source
He must accept the blame.
These cloths are to dry the pots.
The tomato sauce was too salty.
All except the late ones can go.
Her clothes were packed neatly.
That’s the source of the infection.
advice / advise
coarse / course
than / then
I’ll need to take some advice.
The surface is very coarse.
More than anyone, he’s to blame.
Please advise me of the cost.
The course of tablets did help.
If I go, then he goes, too.
affect / effect
complement / compliment
their / there / they’re
It will affect his chances.
It complements the lounge well.
It’s their fault.
The effect on her was clear.
He gave her a great compliment.
It’s over there.
There are ten of them altogether.
allowed / aloud
conscience / conscious
He’s not allowed in there.
His conscience is clear.
Don’t whisper, say it aloud.
He was fully conscious.
They’re all invited to the party.
threw / through
He threw the brick into the river.
board / bored
desert / dessert
The board was made of wood.
The desert is sandy, hot and dry.
The exam board meet on Tuesday.
The dessert was sweet and tasty.
I’m so bored waiting for you all.
Go through the first door.
to / too
I’m going to London tomorrow.
it’s / its
bought / brought
It’s time we all went home.
He bought them for ten pounds.
Its fur is very smooth.
He brought his pen with him.
The price is far too high.
we’re / were
We’re all going to the party.
loose / lose
brake / break
My shoes are too loose.
The care had one faulty brake.
You’ve got nothing to lose.
He was about to break the law.
They were all to blame, I think.
weather / whether
The weather is so hot today!
quiet / quite
breath / breathe
It’s always quiet in the library.
It makes your breath smell sweet.
That’s quite enough noise!
We breathe with our lungs.
Whether he comes is his choice.
who’s / whose
Who’s coming to my house?
Whose book is this?
choose / chose
sight / site
Choose your favourite flavour.
It certainly is a sight for sore eyes.
woman / women
She chose the minty one.
A building site is a messy place.
That woman is very tall.
Only women are allowed to join.
Common confusions