Commonly Misused Words

Many English words have the same pronunciation but different meanings. This article gives you a handy reference to use when you are confused or in doubt about the spelling of a word you want to use. If you use the wrong spelling for a word, you can write sentences that don't say what you want to say. And, of course, using the wrong spelling does nothing to enhance your credibility as a writer...

I've included basic descriptions for each word. The confusing words are in the large green font, followed by the description of each word.

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Accept & Except

Accept = Take, Receive

1. to accept a present; to accept a proposal
2. to accept a treaty; to accept an apology
3. this socket won't accept a three-pronged plug

Except = Leave out, Exclude

1. they were all there except me
2. she would travel more except for lack of money

Affect & Effect

Affect = Influence, Impress

1. cold weather affected the crops
2. adverse criticism of the book didn't affect the author

Effect = Result, Consequence

1. exposure to the sun had the effect of toughening her skin
2. her protest had no effect

Already & All ready

Already = Before, Previously, Prior

1. Elvis already left
2. when they came in, they found he had already arrived
3. the children were already asleep when I got home

All ready = Prepared

1. she was all ready to go
2. her protest had no effect

All together & Altogether

All together = Everyone at once

1. the books lay all together in a heap

Altogether = Completely, Entirely

1. the debt amounted altogether to forty dollars
2. altogether, I'm glad the winter is over

Altar & Alter

Altar = Table of worship or sacrifices, Marry

1. put the bible on the altar
2. traditionally the groom waits at the altar

Alter = Change, Modify

1. crime has altered the growth of the city
2. this jacket needs to be altered

Ascent & Assent

Ascent = Rising, Upward movement

1. the climbers planned the ascent of Mount Rushmore
2. the spaceship's ascent took an entire day

Assent = Agree, Yield

1. the queen assented to the request for an encore
2. assenting to her demands, he did as he was told

More words coming soon...

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