Grammar-Quizzes › More Practices › Writing Aids › Commonly Confused
Commonly Confused Words
Summary of Practices
Quick Link: Accept v. Except | Affect v. Effect | Already v. Yet | Another–The Other | Ashamed v. Embarrassed | As it were–If you will | Awhile v. A while | Because–Though | During–In | Each other/One another | Farther–Further | Fewer v. Less | For v. Since | Get to v. Go to | If–In Case | If only–Only If | If–Unless | If / When | If–Whether | Indeed–Even | Lie–Lay | Like–As | Little v. Few | Loose v. Lose | Make v. Do | Much v. Many | Much v. More | Rise v. Raise | Say v. Tell | Sit v. Set | So that–So…that | Some v. Any | There–Their–They're | Used / (Be) Used To | When/While
Commonly Confused Words Diagnostic: identify specific points that need review
This is a grammar diagnostic page with study links.
Quiz 1: beginning – intermediate
Quiz 2: intermediate – advanced
Accept vs. Except: Is the action one of approving or rejecting?
Beginning–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
They accepted my 40% off coupon when I bought my TV. (They agreed to take it.)
They excepted televisions on the back of the 40% off coupon. (TVs weren't included in the coupon offer.)
Affect vs. Effect: express an influence vs. an outcome
Beginning–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Seeing thin models affects a young girl's self image.
An emotional effect may be self-hate or anorexia (not eating). (result)
Already v. Yet: indicate completed or delayed timing of an action
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Already v. Yet – timing
Have yet to – before an infinitive
Positioning – initial v. medial v. final
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Practice 3 – editing
The bus has already been here.
We have already waited for half an hour.
The bus hasn't come yet.
I haven't waited a long time yet.
I have yet to receive our order. (before infinitive)
We have yet begun to fight. (without a negative)
Another vs. The Other: refer to one more vs. the rest
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 3 – edit paragraph
She ate one. (a cookie)
Then she ate another. (one more)
Then she ate the others. (the rest)
Ashamed vs. Embarrassed: express opinion on a moral vs. social error
Intermediate–Advanced ESL
She was ashamed of herself for lying.
She was embarrassed by the lie.
~He shamed himself. (awkward)
He brought shame on his family.
He embarrassed himself.
His lying was shameful.
His lying was embarrassing.
He was embarrassed by it.
As it were vs. If you will: use expressions that invite listeners to follow a particular line of thought
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Van Gogh's night skies were filled with stars that swirled and danced, as it were, across the canvas. ("so to speak")
Imagine, if you will, a night sky filled with tiny little brush strokes. ("Follow my thoughts.")
Van Gogh was a talented painter, but he didn't have much of an ear, no pun intended, for music.
Awhile v. A while: express a period of time vs. something that occurs briefly
Beginning–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
We've been stuck here in traffic for a while. (a period of time)
We've been stuck here in traffic awhile. (briefly, for a short period of time)
Because vs. Though: express an expected (logical) vs. a contrary outcome
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
He wore his winter pants because it was snowing.
Schools were closed because of the cold temperature.
It was snowing. For this reason, the schools were closed.
He was biking in his shorts though it was snowing.
The schools were open in spite of the cold temperature.
It was snowing. Nevertheless, the schools were open.
During / In: indicate a period of time vs. a calendar time
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
During v. In – Indicate period of time
During v. In – Differentiate period of time
Take Place vs. Last (verbs having duration)
Practice – multiple choice
We are on vacation during July.
*We went to the beach several times in our stay.
They are on vacation in July.
*They stayed there during July, not during May.
*The work has lasted during this year. (pres. perf.)
The work has lasted throughout the year.
Each other vs. One another: express a reciprocal relationship
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Genitive Reciprocal Form (possessive)
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Sophie and Jim get angry at each other.
Sophie and Jim get angry at one another.
They think each other is selfish. (sub-clausal)
*Each other is selfish.
We pass gossip to one another.
They don't care about each others' feelings.
Farther vs. Further: express comparative distance or "additional" amount
Intermediate.–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice 1 – multiple choice paragr.
Practice 2 – read & edit
The shop is farther down the street. physical distance
The shop is further down the street. physical distance
What you say couldn't be further from the truth! (a lie) fig.
Do you need any further assistance? ("more")
We'll help them further their cause (advance) verb
Fewer vs. Less: express a decreasing amount of something
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Fewer (count) / Less (noncount)
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – formal / informal
Practice 3 – read and edit
*Do you want less lines and wrinkles on your face?
fewer lines than before / less wrinkling than before
We use fewer toxic chemicals. (number)
We use less toxic chemicals. (percentage, composition)
Less is more (noun)
For / Since: express duration with a quantity of time vs. a specific time
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Practice 3 –complete the sentence (MC)
We have been coming to this beach for fifteen years.
We have been coming to this beach since July, 1995.
Get to vs. Go to: express opportunity vs. intent
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice – multiple choice
Today, I get to go to a birthday party next door. (lucky situation)
I am going to go¹ to my neighbor's birthday party. (intent)
If vs. In Case: express a condition vs a precautionary action
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – multiple choice
Keep some extra batteries and bottled water In case there is an earthquake.
Get away from falling objects if there is an earthquake.
If only vs. Only If: express a regretful wish vs. a particular condition for something to happen
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
If only I had more time!
Only if you dry your dishes with a towel, will they be spotless! (word order change)
If vs. Unless: express a specific condition for a particular outcome
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Connectors—Condition vs. Outcome
Practice – multiple choice
If you cook your turkey like this, you will have a tender turkey. (if this condition is met)
Only if you cook your turkey like this, will you have a delicious dinner. (under this condition - emphasizes this specific condition) .
Unless you cook your turkey like this, you will have a tough turkey.(if this condition is not met)
Cook your turkey like this. Otherwise, you will have a tough turkey.(if using other methods)
If vs. When: express a singular condition vs. a recurring action
Intermediate-Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
If I go shopping today, I'll take a cloth bag.
If I see what I need, I'll buy it.
If we went shopping, the store would give us a bag.
Whenever we go shopping, we walk.
If vs. Whether: express a condition vs. an alternative option
Intermediate-Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Condition vs. Restated Question (subordinate)
Verbal Complement (subordinate)
Practice – complete the sentence (MC)
I don't know if my mobile phone will work here. (yes?)
I don't know whether my mobile phone will work here or not. (polar: yes or no)
I don't know whether my mobile phone will work here or there. (X or Y)
Indeed vs. Even : emphasize unexpected or extraordinary details
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
His work is indeed more amazing than before.
His work is even more amazing than before.
His work is in fact more amazing than before.
Lie vs. Lay: express agent vs. experiencer of the action
Beginning–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
The baby is lying down.
The mother is laying the baby down for a nap.
Like vs. As: express description or manner
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Grammar Notes (opinions on "like" used instead of "as")
Practice 1 – complete sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – edit paragraph
My brother is like me. (Prep. + N)
My brother thinks as I do. (Prep. + Cls)
He's smart like a fox.
He is as smart as a fox.
Little vs. Few: specify insufficient or minor quantity for count and noncount nouns
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
I have little water in my glass.
I have a little water in my glass.
I have few friends.
I have a few friends.
Loose vs. Lose: express whether something "not tight or attached" or "gone"
Beginning–Intermediate ESL, Native Speakers
Practice 1 – correct / incorrect
Practice 2 – fill in paragraph
Sophie's tooth is loose. (not securely fastened)
Sophie will lose her tooth in a day or so. (become unattached)
Sophie is loosening her tooth with her finger. (making it less tight)
Make vs. Do: Is the action "creating" or "performing"?
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice – multiple choice
She is making a cake. (is creating, preparing)
He is doing the dishes. (is washing)
He is making travel plans. (is arranging)
He is doing the accounts. (performing the accounting job)
Do me a favor?
Much vs. Many: indicate quantity for count and noncount nouns
Beginning – Intermediate ESL
Not many good snacks are in the refrigerator.
Not much junk food is in the refrigerator.
Are there many good snacks in the refrigerator?
Is there much junk food in the refrigerator?
There are many good snacks in the refrigerator. (ok)
There is much food in the refrigerator. (awkward)
Much vs. More: increasing the amount of something
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Much / Far—Too – a bit too, rather too
Practice – multiple choice
People have much more knowledge about eating right.
Many more people are eating healthier diets.
People eat too much fat, sugar and salt.
People eat too many chips, cookies and candy bars.
He is much too old for her.
She is far too young for him.
Rise vs. Raise: express agent vs. experiencer of the action
Beginning–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice – rise or raise
The sun rises at 6:00 a.m.
We raise the flag up the pole at 6:00 a.m.
The rise of the middle class was easy to predict.
My grandparents raised me. (fostered)
Did you get a raise?
Say vs. Tell: quote something vs. report something
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
She said, "Hello, I am the your guide". (quoted speech)
She told us that she was our guide. (indirect speech)
She said "Follow me." (request / command)
She told us to follow her. (request / command)
Sit vs. Set: express agent vs. experiencer of the action
Beginning–Intermediate ESL, Native Speakers
Practice 1 – multiple choice (transitive vs. intransitive)
Practice 2 – multiple choice
My dog is sitting outside. (no object)
I am setting her down gently. (requires an object)
So that vs. So…that: express purpose vs. effect
Intermediate– Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
We stayed up all night so that we could watch a meteor storm.
We stayed up late, so we were able to see the meteor storm as it passed.
Some vs. Any: refer to an indefinite quantity or number
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Any–polarity (in negative environments)
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Practice 3 – edit
I'd like some tea.
I didn't get any tea.
Would you like some / any tea?
I doubt that there are any cookies here.
Not one of the shops has any tea.
I don't think that any cookies are left.
—What kind of tea is it?
—I don't know… some tea he bought last week.
There vs. Their vs. They're: indicating location, existence or possession
Beginning–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Each week there is an event. location
Chefs prepare gourmet food-to-go. Their menus vary.
There's a new way to order lunch.
Used to vs. (Be) Used to: express former habit vs. becoming accustomed
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
We used to go camping every spring. (We would go camping every spring).
We are used to going camping every spring. (We do it often.)
When vs. While: Relate same-time (synchronous) activities
Intermediate ESL, Native Speaker
When/While – Other Complements
When/While – Other Expressions
Practice 1– complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – correct/incorrect
When you called, he picked up his phone. (interruption)
While he was talking on the phone, the baby slept. (same-time)
When I call, the doctor comes. (about same time)
When the doctor comes in, I ask questions. (immediately after)
Verbal Idioms: express activities with verb-prep combinations ("phrasal verbs")
Beginning–Advanced ESL
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – multiple choice
Look up.
Look up the word in the dictionary.
The airplane took off.
He took his coat off.
He took off his coat.