COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS
The storm clouds warned of the tornado's (imminence/eminence).
imminence
According to the bus schedule, the crosstown bus is supposed to leave here at 11 55.
Where does the colon go?
11:55
The mid-nineteenth century saw the rise of nursing as a modern profession both Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton are pioneers of the field.
profession; both
Janet ___ out of bed when the alarm rang. (past form of spring)
sprang
Does anyone in the computer club have (their/ his or her) own computer?
his or her
He might (of/have) (gone/went) (passed/past) the mile marker.
have/gone/past
The positions on a basketball team are as follows a center, two guards, and two forwards.
Where does the colon go?
follows: a
Sonya watched a video the night before the math exam instead of studying consequently, she received a D on the test
studying; consequently
The kite slowly ___ below the horizon. (past form of sink)
sunk
Most of the people in the community lost (their/his or her) homes during the flood.
their
She should (proceed/precede) the (governor/govenor) as they enter the (capitol/capital) in Nashville.
precede/governor/capitol
Among the ingredients found on the gourmet pizza were goat cheese, spinach, pineapple, dandelion leaves, and duck sausage.
Where does the colon go?
No change
When Mikhail Gorbachev, a Communist party functionary, became general secretary of the party in 1985, few expected him to be the architect of its dismantling but, by the time he left office in 1991, the Soviet Union was transformed beyond anyone's wildest dreams.
Where do(es) the semicolon(s) go?
dismantling; but
The hungry baby has ___ all of the milk. (past participle of drink)
drunk
Everybody on the team agreed to do (their/ his or her) best.
his or her
(My brother and I/Me and my brother) should (of/have) (ridden/rode) the coaster.
My brother and I/have/ridden
It took a long time before I realized where the strange, fretful noises were coming from the llama was making them.
Where does the colon go?
from: the
The sphinx is a fascinating creature from ancient mythology its body was that of a lion, while its head was portrayed as that of a man or woman, ram, or hawk.
Where do(es) the semicolon(s) go?
mythology; its
The rain has ___ into a slick sheet of ice. (past participle of freeze)
frozen
Either of the cars seems to be well worth (their/its) price.
its
Stand by (you're/your) (principles/principals); don't allow others to (effect/affect) (you're/your) (morales/morals).
your/principles/affect/your/morals
The petition began with this statement "Because of our concern for the future of the earth, we strongly encourage Dunbar High School to begin a recycling program as soon as possible."
Where does the colon go?
statement: "Because
The 1980's were glorious yeas for the National Basketball Association as numerous great players captured the public's imagination, including Magic Johnson, the Los Angeles Lakers' great point guard and leader Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, whose passing flair and shooting accuracy led his team to three championships and Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan, whom many consider the greatest player of all time.
Where do(es) the semicolon(s) go?
leader; Larry championships; and
lay
Someone made a big mistake, and I hope (they/he or she) corrects it right away.
he or she