Commonly Confused Words

affect: to influence (v)

Chase’s speech affected me greatly. It was

awesome!

effect: a result (n)

Be careful taking that medication; it can have

weird side effects.

all ready: “OK” and ready to go

Our coats and gloves were on, and we were all ready to go sing

Christmas carols.

already: before, previously

You already went into the stadium? You must be a big fan!

breath: air in lungs (n)

After running across the school, Braden was out of breath, but he

wasn’t late.

breathe: take in air (v)

Cassady loves to breathe in the cool, crisp air during the fall months.

lay: put or place (things lay)

Reagan, lay that stack of papers on my desk, please.

lie: to recline or sit (humans and animals lie)

I feel a little weak; I’m going to go lie down.

loose: not fixed in place (adj)

That nail is loose; I’m worried the garland might fall.

lose: misplace (v)

John Mark will try really hard not to lose the ten dollars his dad just gave him.

past: history, a former time

Our pasts do not define us. Live in the present.

passed: past tense of pass (go by)

I once passed Cam Newton in a school hallway.

than: conjunction used “to compare”

Chris is almost a foot taller than me.

then: next

We will take the benchmark, write our last paper, and then watch the movie.

their: possessive pronoun

Both Megan and Lauren braided their hair today.

they’re: contraction for “they are”

Gracie, Mattie, and Layla did a great project; they’re talented

actresses.

there: pronoun, “at that place”

Brady is “it,” so Jackson ran over there away from him.

to: preposition

Katelynn and Alexis are going to the movies this evening

with some friends.

too: very, also

Emmy is going to the movies too.

two: number

In two years, you will be driving!

a lot: large portion

I want a device to remember a lot.

all right: satisfactory

Alright is not all right, aight?