Commonly Confused Words

adj adjective
conj conjunction
n noun

Word
accept
(v)
except (prep)

prep preposition
pn pronoun
v - verb

Definition
to receive

Example in a complete sentence

Charlotte will accept the job offer.

not included, excluded

Everyone is going except Bill.

advice
(n)
advise
(v)

an opinion

Priscilla gave me some good advice about

my paper.
I advise you to take your paper to the
writing center.

affect
(usually, a verb)
effect
(usually, a noun)

to influence

among
(prep)
between
(prep)

capital
(n or adj)

capitol
(n)

to offer an opinion

the result or
consequence

used when discussing

at least three ideas or
concepts
used when discussing
two ideas or concepts

Lauren could not decide among all of the

choices for a major.

money (n)
or

The administration raised some capital for

the new building.

site of government (n)

or

The legislature will meet in Dover, the state

capital, to consider the proposals.
In an email message, avoid using all capital
letters.
The capitol was closed for renovations.

upper case letter (adj)

the building in which
the legislature meets
to bring to completion
(v) or

complement
(v or n)

compliment
(v or n)

Word
fewer

Poor attendance to class can adversely

affect a students grade.
The instructor had a good effect on her
students by making them want to work
hard.

Just between you and me, I think we should

have a longer winter break.

the praise itself (n)

The new database sources Eric found

complemented the other research
information well.
The interview was the perfect complement
to the secondary research Judi had already
done.
My instructor complimented me on my
essay.
Vivian gave me a compliment on my new
backpack.

Definition
smaller number of, not

Example in a complete sentence

Kristin had fewer students this semester, so she

something that
completes (n)
to praise (v)
or

(adj)
less
(adj)
its
(pn)
its*
(pn + v)

as many (countable)
smaller portion of (noncountable)

had fewer papers to grade.

Lisa had less work to do this semester
compared to last.

belonging to it

The computer was not working; its screen was

frozen.
Its about time for the semester to be over!

contraction of it is

lose
(v)
loose
(adj)

principal
(n or adj)

principle (n)

have something taken

away; mislay something;
fail to win
not firmly attached; not
tight fitting

Charlotte was afraid she would lose points on

her assignment because it was late.

chief, main or most

important or
head of the school or
amount of money
originally invested or
borrowed

The principal reason we are here is to gain

knowledge.

fundamental truth or rule

All of the loose papers fell out of the folder.

The principal addressed the student body.

Melissa paid a significant amount on the
principal of her student loan.
Ray lives his life by certain principles.

used when comparing

two items
refers to time

Mary has taught longer than most of the people

in the department.
Meet me after class; then we will have lunch in
the cafeteria.

there
(adv)
their
(pn)
theyre*
(pn + v)

in or to that place; at that

point
possessive pronoun for
they
contraction of they are

Ernie needed to go to the library, but he was not

sure how to get there.
Students should remember to log off of their
computers when leaving the lab.
The department chairs would like to meet with
the campus director; theyre available after
11:00 am.

to
(prep)
too
(adv)

a preposition to indicate
direction or destination
in addition; very; more
than is desirable

Tonight, we will be going to the graduation

ceremonies at the Bob Carpenter Center.
We can work on our other homework tonight,
too.
The paper was too wordy to be effective.

your
(pn)
youre*
(pn + v)

possessive pronoun for

you
contraction of you are

Remember to bring your books and other

materials to class.
Make sure youre enrolled in the classes you
need to graduate.

than
(conj)
then
(adv)

* Reminder: Do not use contractions in academic writing.

Created by Delaware Technical Community Colleges Stanton Campus English Department