Common Error

From Confusing Words

1. He went to the store for ……………..…… (a while/awhile).
2. You should sleep…………………… (awhile/ a while).
3. She took my………………. (advice/advise) and took out a loan.
4. I ……………………… (adviced/advised) her to take out a loan.
5. I found a pen hidden………………… (among/ between) the papers on the desk.
6. I found a pen hidden………………. …(among/between) two sheets of paper on the desk.
7. She ………………………..(assured/ensured/insured) me that the house would not flood.
8. She took steps to …………………….(assure/ensure/insure) that the house did not flood.
9. She is glad the house was …………......(assured/ensured/insured) against flood damage.
10. I would like to visit the……………… (Capitol/capital) in the…………………..
(capital/capitol) of the United States, Washington, D.C.
11. His black suit was a nice …………………(complement/compliment) to his black shoes.
12. She …………………(complimented/complemented) him on his shoes.
13. My father ………………………(emigrated/immigrated) from Venezuela.
14. My mother ………………………(immigrated/emigrated) to the United States.
15. I don’t like any of my gifts, ……………………..(except/accept) this one.
16. Why did I…………………… (accept/except) all of these gifts?
17. How much ………………………….(farther/ further) do I need to drive?
18. I would like to advance…………………… (further/farther) in my career.
19. How are you today? I am doing …………..(well/good).
20. I feel …………………….(good/well) today.
21. What a ………………………….(historic/ historical) snowstorm!
22. She decided to wear a ……………(historical/historic) costume for the Renaissance fair.
23. You …………………..(lie/lay) down on the sofa.
24. You ………….(lay/lie) the book down on the table.
25. This shirt is too …………………(loose/lose) on me.
26. How did you ………………(lose/loose) your phone?
27. What did the …………………..(principal/principle) want to speak to you about?
 28. The …………………………..(principal/ principle) reason she wanted to see me was to
discuss my recent tuition payment.
29. It’s not that I don’t have the money, it’s just a matter of …………….(principle/principal).
30. Of course the door will remain ……………(stationary/stationery) if you don’t push it the
right way!
31. I love this …………..…..(stationery/stationary) you printed your resume on!

Commonly Confused Homophones

1. The medicine did not………………… (affect/effect) her the way the doctor had hoped.
2. The new medicine had negative side……………. (effects/affect).
3. John is much taller………………………. (than/then) his brother.
4. We went to the park in the morning, and…………… (then/than) we left to pick up lunch.
5. Cora wore her favorite pink shoes, ……….(which/witch) she received as a birthday gift.
6. The Halloween ……..(witch/which) decorations must finally come down off of the wall!
7. I do need to…………………….(buy/by) new shoes for the kids.
8. Please put the sandwiches……………….. (by/buy) the door so we don't forget them!
9. The organization will …………..(accept/except) donations through the first of the month.
10. You may donate all items …………………………….(except/accept) car seats and cribs.
11. The constantly changing springtime ………………(weather/whether) is driving us crazy.
12. Please tell us ……………(whether/weather) you would prefer steak or salmon for dinner.
13. Put the book over ……………………………(there/their/they’re).
14. The students put ………………………………(there/their/they’re) coats in the closet.
15. (There/Their/They're)…………… going to have practice immediately after school today.
16. (To/too/two)…………………. can indicate an infinitive when it precedes a verb.
17. I ate (to/too/two)…………………….. much ice cream for dessert, too.
18. I have (to/too/two)…………………………… books I'd like to read.
19. The wagon can hardly …………………..(bear/bare) the weight of the load.
20. His …………………………(bare/bear) neck burned in the direct sunlight.