A
A lot/ alot/ allot
A lot- a large quantity or number, very much.
“There sure are a lot of mistakes in the first paragraph of this thread!” or “I like this band a lot.”
A lot- alot isn’t a word. There is a space between a and lot to make the word a lot.
Allot- to give a fixed share of or place in something to someone, apportion, to appropriate for a special purpose, set apart, dedicate.
“The lawyer had to sit down to discuss how the father of twelve wanted to allot his estate.”
Accept/ except
Accept- to receive or believe something without inhibitions
“I accepted the necklace he bought for me, even though it was too expensive.” Or “I accept the teachings of my priest.”
Except- other than
“I like all of the people I work with, except Joe.”
Adapt/adept
Adapt- to adjust or modify to make suitable to requirements or conditions
“They had to adapt to the new culture.”
Adept- Very skilled, proficient, or expert
“He is an adept carpenter.”
Adverse/averse
Adverse- unfavorable, antagonistic in purpose or effect, opposing one’s desires or interests, being or acting contrary, opposite, confronting.
“The criticism on her first term paper was adverse to what she expected.”
Averse- having a strong feeling of opposition, antipathy, etc.
“He was averse to having her as his lab partner.”
Affect/ effect
Affect- to influence
“This quiz will not affect your grade.”
Effect- the result, or to bring about
“The effects were disastrous.”
Aid/aide
Aid- to help or the help given
“We sent money to aid the food pantry at Christmas time.”
Aide- a person who helps, an assistant
“The teacher’s aide always ate onion rings for lunch.”
Allude/elude
Allude- indirectly refer to or hint at something
“She alluded to the fact she’d seen her boyfriend kissing another girl during her phone conversation.”
Elude- escape attention or understanding altogether.
“Even though he’d studied all night, the answers to the test eluded him.”
Already/ All ready
Already- before this time, or by this time
“We already washed the dishes before dinner, so we wouldn’t have to after!”
All ready- to be fully prepared
“We’re all ready to go.”
Altogether/ all together
Altogether- entirely
“Altogether, things went well.”
All together- in a group, all at once
“All together, we went to the movies.”
Anecdote/Antidote
Anecdote- a short account of an interesting or humorous incident or story, often biographical.
“He was a charming conversationalist, often bring up small anecdotes about our shared experiences working together for the past twenty years.”
Antidote- something that prevents or counteracts injuries, poisons, or unwanted effects.
“The antidote stopped the swelling and reduced her fever.”
Anymore/ any more
Anymore- any longer
“I can’t take this anymore!”
Any more- any additional
“I can’t eat any more tacos.”
Anyone/ Any one
Anyone- any person
“Is anyone here a doctor?”
Any one- any one of a number of people, places, or things
“Pick any one of the candies you want.”
Appraise/ apprise
Appraise- to determine value
“She appraised the earrings carefully before deciding not to buy them.”
Apprise- to inform
“He was apprised of his wife’s long history of embezzling money from their joint checking account.”
Assure/ ensure/ insure
Assure- to put someone’s mind to rest
“The salesman assured them that the computer was a good investment.”
Ensure- to make certain of something
“Paying your tuition on time ensures you are enrolled in the classes you selected.”
Insure- to secure from financial harm or loss.
“It’s a good thing you had car insurance when you got in the car crash.”
B
Bare/ bear
Bare- uncovered, naked, to be stripped of…
“Her hand brushed against the bare skin of his arm flirtatiously.”
Bear- to carry, to have children, to hold up, the woodland animal
“Bear with me.” Or “Smokey the Bear says that only YOU can prevent forest fires!”
C
Capital/ Capitol
Capital- refers to money or a city
“Madison is the capital of Wisconsin.”
Capitol- major or important, seat of government, refers to a building
“The capitol building was just rebuilt this year.”
Cent/ sent/ scent
Cent- a coin/penny
“Gas is a cent above two dollars.”
Sent- the past tense form of send
“I sent the letter yesterday.”
Scent- an odor or smell
“There was a foul scent in the air when I went into my brother’s room.”
Choose/ Chose
Choose- to pick, select, etc.
“Choose wisely, for this is your only chance.”
Chose- past tense version of choose
“He chose poorly.”
Climactic/climatic
Climactic- a climax or high point of an event
“The second to last chapter of the book was very climactic.”
Climatic- refers to the climate or weather conditions.
“He kept a journal of climatic conditions to try and prove Global Warming.”
Coarse/course
Coarse- of inferior quality, rough, crude
“The bread had a coarse texture.”
Course- a path or direction taken, a class or series of studies
“Stay the course.”
Complement/compliment
Complement- to complete or go well with
“The red wine complements the meal quite nicely.”
Compliment- to offer an expression of admiration or praise
“She complimented his drawing when she saw it.”
Conscience/ conscious
Conscience- the capacity to know right from wrong
“My conscience told me not to steal the candy from the baby, but I didn’t listen.”
Conscious- Awake or alert, not sleeping or comatose
“She stayed conscious even though she hit her head really hard.”
Counsel/ council/ Consul
Counsel- advice or to advise
“He sought his grandfather’s counsel.”
Council- A group that advises
“The student council was holding elections in September.”
Consul- a government official appointed to reside in a foreign country.
“She was asked to be a consul.”
D
Decent/ descent/ dissent
Decent- good, well, etc.
“I’m decent.”
Descent- the process of going or stepping downward.
“We are starting our final descent into Miami now.”
Dissent- disagreement
“Their dissent over the choice in restaurants was obvious by the lack of conversation.”
Desert/ dessert
Desert- Barren wilderness, to abandon
“The stars are very clear in the desert.”
Dessert- food served at the end of meal
“Dessert was a chocolate raspberry cheesecake.”
Discreet/ discrete
Discreet- showing good judgment, unobtrusive, modest
“They dealt with situation in a discreet manner.”
Discrete- distinct, separate
“The essay question had several discrete parts.”
Distain/ Disdain
Distain- to discolor, stain, sully
“Worthless praise has distained her reputation as a good critic.”
Disdain- to treat with contempt, despise, scorn, to think unworthy of notice, response, etc.
“He treated her with great disdain.”
