Commonly Confused Words
Affect vs. Effect
Affect is a verb meaning to influence. Effect is a noun meaning result.
absense, abscence or absence?
(the state of being away from a place or person)
3. absence
It was a real nice day today.
It was a really nice day today.
The results depend ... the sample size.
The results depend on the sample size.
What is the plural form of sheep?
Sheep
Than vs. Then
Than is a conjunction used to compare two things. Then is usually an adverb indicating time.
colleague, coleague or collegue?
(a person with whom one works in a profession or business)
1. colleague
The study used a well known method.
The study used a well-known method.
I’ll see you ... the morning, at 10 o’clock.
I’ll see you in the morning, at 10 o’clock.
What is the singular form of cacti?
Cactus
Complement vs. Compliment
Compliment means to praise or flatter someone. Complement means to enhance, complete, or go well with something else
curiousity, curiosity or curiocity?
(a strong desire to know or learn something)
2. curiosity
He almost walked for the entire day.
He walked for almost the entire day.
The results were consistent ... previous studies.
The results were consistent with previous studies.
What is the singular form of bacteria?
Bacterium
Who vs. Whom
Who is a pronoun used as the subject of a sentence. Whom is a pronoun used as a direct object.
disappoint, dissapoint or dissappoint?
(fail to fulfil the hopes or expectations of)
1. disappoint
Every boy must sign in when they arrive.
Every boy must sign in when he arrives.
I was ... the bus when you phoned.
I was on the bus when you phoned.
What is the plural form of alumnus?
Alumni
Appraise vs. Apprise
Appraise means to assess the value, quality, or performance of something. Apprise means to inform or notify someone about something.
existance, existanse or existence?
(the fact or state of living or having objective reality)
3. existence
The results of the experiment shows significant improvement.
The results of the experiment show significant improvement.
We arrived ... Paris at 8pm.
We arrived in Paris at 8pm.
What is the plural form of opus?
(not opuses)
Opera