Why some words get mixed up
Commonly misused words are words that people confuse because they look alike, sound alike or have similar meanings. Even strong writers mix them up. Learning the differences makes your writing clearer and helps readers trust what you say.
Words that sound alike
Affect and effect
- Affect is usually a verb: to influence. The rain will affect the game.
- Effect is usually a noun: a result. The rain had a big effect on the game.
Trick: Affect = Action (verb). Effect = End result (noun).
Accept and except
- Accept means to receive or agree: I accept your apology.
- Except means "but not": Everyone came except Jo.
Then and than
- Then is about time: First we ate, then we played.
- Than compares: A cheetah is faster than a lion.
Lose and loose
- Lose (one o) means to misplace or not win: Don’t lose your keys.
- Loose (two o’s) means not tight: My tooth is loose.
Advice and advise
- Advice is a noun: Thanks for the advice.
- Advise is a verb: I advise you to rest.
Words with similar meanings
Fewer and less
- Fewer is for things you can count: fewer cookies, fewer students.
- Less is for things you cannot count: less sugar, less noise, less time.
Trick: If you could put a number in front of it, use fewer.
Amount and number
- Number is for countable things: a number of people.
- Amount is for uncountable things: an amount of water.
Bring and take
- Bring = toward the speaker: Bring me the book.
- Take = away from the speaker: Take this note to your teacher.
Borrow and lend
- Borrow = to get something for a while: Can I borrow your pen?
- Lend = to give something for a while: Can you lend me your pen?
Lay and lie
- Lay needs an object (you lay something down): Lay the book on the table.
- Lie has no object (you lie down yourself): I need to lie down.
Words that are not quite words
| Instead of | Use |
|---|---|
| alot | a lot |
| irregardless | regardless |
| could of / should of | could have / should have |
| supposably | supposedly |
| for all intensive purposes | for all intents and purposes |
| ain’t (in formal writing) | isn’t / aren’t |
Literally
Literally means "actually, exactly as stated". People often use it for exaggeration: I literally died laughing. In careful writing, save literally for things that are really true.
Good and well
- Good describes nouns: a good book.
- Well describes actions: She reads well. (Well can also mean healthy: I feel well.)
Worked examples
Example 1: The medicine had no (affect / effect). → effect (noun).
Example 2: There are (less / fewer) people here today. → fewer (people can be counted).
Example 3: Can you (borrow / lend) me a dollar? → lend.
Common mistakes
- I’m better then you. ✗ → than ✓
- Can I loan your eraser? ✗ → borrow ✓
- Less mistakes ✗ → fewer mistakes ✓
- I’m going to lay down. ✗ → lie down ✓
Try it yourself
- Choose: Everyone was there (accept / except) Sam.
- Choose: How will the snow (affect / effect) the trip?
- Choose: I drank (less / fewer) juice than you.
- Fix: Can you bring this letter to the office? I’ll loose it otherwise.
Answers: 1. except. 2. affect. 3. less. 4. Can you take this letter to the office? I’ll lose it otherwise.
Tip for families
Pick one confusing pair each week and post it on the fridge with a memory trick. Award a point to anyone who catches the word used correctly, or incorrectly, in a book, on TV or in conversation.
Quick recap
- Affect is usually a verb; effect is usually a noun.
- Then is time; than compares.
- Fewer is for counting; less is for amounts.
- Bring comes here; take goes there.
- "A lot" is two words.