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Commonly confused words cause spelling errors, for example, 'This is there house' versus 'This is their house'.
Certain word pairs are very similar. Choosing the wrong word can lead to confusion about the meaning of your sentence.
Apostrophes
Some word pairs are different based on whether you should insert an apostrophe or not.
Its / it's
Its / it's
'Its' means 'belonging to it' or 'a part of it'.
'It's' means 'it is' or 'it has'.
If you can replace the word with 'it is' or 'it has', add an apostrophe. For example:
- Incorrect: The car was wrecked; he slammed it is door.
- Correct: It is a cold night.
- Correct: It has been a cold night.
Examples
The car was wrecked; he slammed its door.
It's a cold night.
It's been a cold night.
It's been a terrible winter.
The cat was hurt when its paw was caught in a door.
I'm not sure where it's going to be.
There / they're / their
There / they're / their
'There' has many meanings, but is similar to 'here' and often refers to a place or position. It is also used in phrases like 'there is' or 'there are'.
'They're' means 'they are'.
'Their' means 'belonging to them' or 'a part of them'.
If you can replace the word with 'they are,' add an apostrophe. For example:
- Incorrect: They are car was stolen
- Correct: They are going to Europe for the holidays.
Examples
I'm going there tomorrow.
There is nothing you can do.
They're going to Europe for the holidays.
They're not very happy about the rainstorm.
Their car was stolen.
I liked their photo album.
Were / we're / where
Were / we're / where
'Were' means 'are [in the past]'.
'We're' means 'we are'.
'Where' means 'a place, point or position' and is often part of a question.
'Where' may also appear as part of a statement. For example, Auckland is the place where I grew up.
If you replace the word with 'we are' add an apostrophe. For example:
- Incorrect: We are you born in Australia?
- Correct: We are having a barbeque after work this afternoon.
Examples
They were involved in an accident
Were you born in Australia?
We're having a barbecue after work this afternoon.
Where did you buy that book?
Whose / who's
Whose / who's
'Whose' means 'belonging to who' and is often used in questions.
'Who's' means 'who is'.
If you can replace the word with 'who is' add an apostrophe. For example:
- Incorrect: Who is car is this?
- Correct: Who is going home first?
Examples
Whose car is this?
The people whose offices were moved are very happy.
Who's going home first?
I want my house to be sold by the realtor who's smartest.
Your / you're
Your / you're
'Your' means 'belonging to you'.
'You're' means 'you are'.
If you can replace the word with 'you are', add an apostrophe. For example:
- Incorrect: You are car was towed yesterday.
- Correct: If you are careful, you won't get hurt.
Examples
Your car was towed yesterday.
I like your outfit.
You're going to be late unless you hurry.
If you're careful, you won't get hurt.
Verbs versus nouns
Some word pairs are different based on whether the word is an action (a verb) or a thing (a noun).
Advice / advise
Advice / advise
'Advise' is a verb: it means 'to tell someone what you think they should do' or 'to give help or information'.
'Advice' is a noun: it means 'guidance or help'.
If you can add 'some' before the word, it should be 'advice'. For example:
- Incorrect: I some advise you to reconsider
- Correct: The bank manager gave me some advice about my mortgage.
Examples
Her advice was very useful.
The general advised the president to attack.
Affect / effect
Affect / effect
'Affect' is a verb: it means 'to change, alter or influence something'.
'Effect' is a noun: it means 'the result, outcome or consequence'.
If you can add 'some' before the word, it should be 'effect'. For example:
- Incorrect: The wind will some affect TV reception
- Correct: Some effects of the earthquake were felt in several countries.
Examples
The wind will affect TV reception.
Rheumatic fever affected his heart.
The yen has an effect on the Kiwi dollar.
The effects of the earthquake were felt in several countries.
'Effect' can also mean 'to cause something', but this use is not very common.
Example
He effected a political coup by sending in a private army.
Practice / practise
Practice / practise
'Practise' is a verb: it means 'to do something over and over'.
'Practice' is a noun: it means 'something that people do regularly'.
If you can add 'some' before the word, it should be 'practice'. For example:
- Incorrect: He some practised hard every day.
- Correct: I need to do some practice before I try to swim Cook Strait.
Examples
She has a very successful dental practice.
You must practise your scales every day; Pianists need such regular practice.
Breath / breathe
Breath / breathe
'Breath' is the air going in and out of a body.
'Breathe' is the action of breathing.
'Breath' is a noun and will usually be preceded by a pronoun, such as she, I or article, such as the, a. 'Breathe' is a verb which means it’s all or part of the action in a sentence.
- Her breath is visible in the cold.
- She struggles to breathe while she runs.
- I eat a mint to freshen my breath.
Examples
My breath smells like garlic.
She breathes deeply in the fresh air.
Close spelling
Some words have very similar spelling, so they are often confused.
Hear / here
Hear / here
'Hear' means 'to perceive using the ears'.
'Here' has many meanings, but is similar to 'there' and often refers to 'this place'.
Examples
I can hear the sound of the ocean in this shell.
He's coming here soon.
Lose / loose
Lose / loose
'Lose' means 'to not succeed', 'to forfeit' or 'to misplace'.
'Loose' means 'not tight'.
Examples
She will lose the race because of her ankle injury.
He'll lose his mobile phone if he keeps leaving it in the bathroom.
My wristwatch strap is too loose.
Principle / principal
Principle / principal
'Principle' means 'a general belief' or 'something you live your life by'
'Principal' means 'most important' or 'the person in charge of a school or college'.
Examples
I will not compromise my principles by taking a bribe.
The 3 laws of thermodynamics are basic principles of physics.
The principal gave me detention.
The principal problem is a lack of discipline.
Too / to
Too / to
'Too' means 'also / as well as' or 'to an excessive degree'.
'To' means 'in this direction' or it is used before an action (verb).
Examples
Cut up the onions and the garlic too.
The soil is too dry for planting.
They travelled to Turkey.
Please fax it to me.
I'm going to search the cave.
Of / off
Of / off
'Of' means 'belonging to' or 'relating to'.
'Off' means 'away from' or 'cancelled'.
Examples
The door of the car is stuck.
The regular teacher of this class is absent today.
I took the day off work.
The lecture is off.
Conscious / conscience
Conscious / conscience
'Conscious' means to be awake or aware of something.
'Conscience' is one’s internal moral code or sense of right or wrong.
Conscious is an adjective that usually describes a person’s awareness about a matter. Conscience is a noun, so it is often described or drives action. For example:
- Incorrect: She was conscience of the rain but didn’t bring a jacket.
- Correct: Her conscience was bothering her so she went to the police.
Examples
I am conscious of the new guidelines.
My conscience won’t let me lie or cheat.
Accept / except
Accept / except
'Accept' means 'to receive something' or 'agree or consent to something'.
'Except' means 'not including', 'all but', 'other than'.
'Accept' is a verb so it follows the subject of the sentence. 'Except' is a preposition that changes something in the rest of the sentence. For example:
- Incorrect: She excepts the accident was her fault.
- Correct: Everyone has arrived except for James.
Examples
I accept your kind offer.
I accept that I was wrong.
I like all fruit except bananas.
Except for Mondays, I am free to meet.
Than / then
Than / then
'Than' is used to compare things or state a preference. 'Then' is a time word used to denote something is next in time, space or order.
'Then' relates to time or order. 'Than' usually involves a comparison or preference. For example:
Incorrect: I like apples more then oranges.
Correct: We went to class then home.
Correct: I was in fifth grade then.
Examples
I like it all other than the last bit.
You need to read more than just the title page.
We will have dinner then see the movie.
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