Commonly Misused Words Flashcards
Affect
Doing something to something, A=Alter
Effect
Result, to bring about
Allusion
Reference
Illusion
Magic, trick
Bad
Adj., tastes bad
Badly
Adv., swim badly
Beside
Next to
Besides
In addition to
Then
Time relation
Than
Comparison
Sit
Get onto bottom
Set
To put
Further
To continue
Farther
Distance (unless metaphorical)
Fewer
Numbers, things you can count, fewer raindrops
Less
Singular amount/thing, less rain, 1less guest
Good
Adj, I feel good (or well)
Well
Adv., I feel well (or good)
Healthy
Has a state of health, be alive. Can be personified
Healthful
Full of good health, good for health
Immigrate to
Migrate to a new environment
Emigrate from
To leave ones country for a new one
Imply
Express or state indirectly
Infer
Conclude by reasoning
In
Describes where something or someone already is
Into
Used when something or someone is going to go or be put into another place
Lay
Put into a certain place
Lie
Not tell truth, assume a reclining position
Quick
Adj., hurried and brief
Quickly
Adv., with little or no delay
Equality
State of being equal, same in quanity or measure or value, or status
Equity
The quality of being fair, reasonable, or impartial
Principle
A basic truth or law or assumption
Principal
Most important element, educater who has executive authority
Raise
Move upwards, build
Something raises something
Rise
Move upward, usually has to do with something that is becoming taller or higher
Something rises
Decimated
Kill in large numbers
Destroyed
Spoiled or ruined or demolished
Mute
Expressed without speech
Moot
Of no legal significance, open to argument or debate, think about carefully
That
For things, and informally for people (the boy that stole your bike…)
Who
For people
Which
For things
Anxious
Egaerly desirous (connected to fear)
Excited
In an aroused state (connected to joy)
Couldn’t care less
Use, you don’t care about something
Could care less
Do Not Use
Regardless
Use, in spite of everything
Irregardless
Do Not Use
By accident
Use, not purposeful
On accident
Do Not Use
Different from
Use, not like…
Different than
Do Not Use
By and large
Use, usually, as a rule
By in large
Do Not Use
Could have
Use
Could of
Do Not Use
Off
Use, not on
Off of
Do Not Use
Toward
Preferred in U.S. and Canada
Towards
More common in English-speaking countries like U.K. and Australia
Cite
Make reference to
Site
Piece of land something is located on
Sight
The ability to see
Councilor
Member of a council
Counselor
Someone who gives advice
Cue
Refers to a signal that encourages action (also in pool)
Queue
Indicates an ordered line or file
Its
It has (possession)
It’s
It is
To
Preposition
Too
Excessively or also
Insure
Protect against risk
Ensure
Make certain of
Your
Belonging to you
You’re
You are
Really
Adv., refers to something actual
Real
Adj., authentic
E.g.
For example
I.e.
That is
Criteria
Refers to 2 or more things
Criterion
Refers to a single thing
Hung
Past tense of hang when meaning to suspend something
Hanged
Past tense of hang when referring to a death sentence
Sympathy
Understanding from your own perspective
Empathy
Putting yourself in anothers shoes to understand their feelings
Disinterested
Not biased, not leaning toward a certain interest
Uninterested
Not interested
Continuous
Continuing without interruption
Continual
Continuing at intervals
Beer
An alcoholic beverage
Birrer
Teddie Birrer
Use
Use something for its proper use
Utilize
Use something for a purpose it was not meant for
Garbage
Food
Trash
Other than food
Accept
To agree with
Except
Deifferent than
-wise
Do Not Use
Centered on
Use
Centered around
Do Not Use
Complete thought at
Do Not Do
