English Grammar Guide for ESL

COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS

On this page: Description, Exercises

Description

Commonly Confused English Words

English spelling can be difficult because many words sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. These words are called homophones.

When writing, choose the word that matches your meaning.

there, their, they're

there = a place

  • The book is over there.

their = belongs to them

  • Their car is new.

they're = they are

  • They're my friends.

to, too, two

to = a preposition

  • I am going to school.

too = also; more than necessary

  • I want to come too.

  • The coffee is too hot.

two = the number 2

  • I have two sisters.

its, it's

its = belongs to it

  • The dog chased its tail.

it's = it is

  • It's raining today.

your, you're

your = belongs to you

  • Is this your book?

you're = you are

  • You're very kind.

hear, here

hear = use your ears

  • I can hear music.

here = this place

  • Come here, please.

see, sea

see = use your eyes

  • I can see the mountains.

sea = a large body of water

  • We swam in the sea.

no, know

no = negative answer

  • No, I don't want any.

know = have information

  • I know the answer.

buy, by

buy = purchase

  • I want to buy a new phone.

by = beside; near; through

  • The house is by the river.

break, brake

break = damage; stop for a rest

  • Be careful not to break the glass.

  • Let's take a break.

brake = part of a vehicle

  • Press the brake slowly.

lose, loose

lose = not win; misplace

  • I don't want to lose the game.

loose = not tight

  • My shirt is too loose.

than, then

than = used for comparisons

  • She is taller than her brother.

then = next; after that

  • We ate dinner and then watched a movie.

weather, whether

weather = rain, snow, sun, wind, etc.

  • The weather is beautiful today.

whether = if

  • I don't know whether he will come.

who's, whose

who's = who is

  • Who's at the door?

whose = belonging to whom

  • Whose jacket is this?

advice, advise

advice = a noun

  • Thank you for your advice.

advise = a verb

  • I advise you to study every day.

affect, effect

affect = a verb (influence)

  • The weather can affect your mood.

effect = a noun (result)

  • The medicine had a positive effect.

Remember

When you are unsure:

  1. Read the whole sentence.

  2. Ask yourself what the word means.

  3. Check whether you need a noun, a verb, or a possessive form.

  4. Learn common homophone pairs one group at a time.

Many native English speakers confuse these words too, so don't worry if you make mistakes while learning.

Exercises

Choose the right word:

Your actions will my business (affect or effect).
It's illegal to take drugs (elicit or illicit).
If you don't eat your veggies, you can't have (desert or dessert).
The word 'but' is usually preceded by a (coma or comma).
Do you know pen this is? (whose or who's).
You should take a deep (breath or breathe).
Do you have (anymore or any more) questions?
The change will have no (affect or effect) on the results.
That's the best (advice or advise) I've ever heard.
The medication could have an (adverse or averse) effect.
The report is (do, dew or due) tomorrow.
We should (accept or except) the things we cannot change.
I think (you're or your) ride has arrived.
I don't know (were, wear or where) I left my keys.
She said the box was (to, two or too) big.
I hope (there, their or they're) going to have fun.
It (seams or seems) that your (seems or seams) have split.
The store has everything on (sale or sail).
The tire is going to (role or roll) into the ditch.
We have decided to with the purchase (proceed or precede).
I think this (maybe or may be) your best idea yet!
I really do not like it when you (loose or lose) so much money.
She her children do whatever they want (let's or lets).
Her friend (led or lead) her down the aisle.
I think (its or it's) time for a change.
I can't (hear or here) what you are saying.

Choose the correct form:

I asked my teacher for some (advice, advise, advises) before the exam.
The doctor will (advice, advise, advised) you about the treatment.
The new law will (affect, effect, effects) many students.
The medicine had a positive (affect, effect, affects) on her health.
The family decided to (adapt, adopt, adept) a child.
It took her several months to (adapt, adopt, adept) to life in Canada.
Please (accept, except, expect) my apology.
Everyone came to the meeting (accept, except, expect) James.
Be careful not to (lose, loose, loss) your passport.
These shoes are too (lose, loose, losing) for me.
The children found a beautiful (beach, beech, beash) near the hotel.
That old (beach, beech, beast) tree is over 100 years old.
Please (breathe, breath, breathing) slowly and relax.
Take a deep (breath, breathe, breathing) before you dive.
The hikers followed the shortest (route, root, road) through the forest.

Search the Guide: