EDU 653 Powerpoint Presentation about Commonly Confused Words

1. Mrs. Ferrington
9 th Grade English

2.  Many words look or sound similar
 Use the right word so the reader knows your meaning
 Incorrect words can be distracting!

3.  There is used when you are referring to a PLACE
 Examples:
 The book belongs over there.
 There are many different ways to begin a story.

4.  Their refers to possession of something
 Examples:
 This is their house.
 Their parents are both teachers.

5.  They’re is a contraction meaning they are.
 A good test is to replace they’re with they are
 If the sentence works it’s the correct version
 If it doesn’t work, check your rules!
 Examples:
 They’re busy all day.
 They are busy all day.
 Nobody would tell me what they’re doing.
 Nobody would tell me what they are doing.

6.  To is used to indicate a direction
 To is also used when you are using a verb in the infinitive
 Examples:
 I am going to the store.
 I want to see that movie this weekend.
 http://www.wikihow.com/Use-%22Too%22-and-%22To%22-Correctly

7.  Too is used to mean in addition.
 If you can replace the word too with also or very this is
the correct form to use!
 Examples:
 He wants to come too.
 He wants to come also.
 They were too glad to be done with their homework.
 They were very glad to be done with their homework.

8.  Two is a number.
 Please only use the word two if you are talking about
an amount.
 Examples:
 I have two kinds of ice cream.
 These two puppies are adorable.

9.  Its is used to show possession.
 Try replacing the word its with his. If it works this is
the correct form.
 Examples:
 The dog has its bone in the corner.
 The dog has his bone in the corner.
 The play was showing its last performance.
 The play was showing his last performance.

10.  It’s is used as a contraction that means it is or it has.
 If you can replace the word with “it is” or “it has” the
correct form is it’s.
 Example:
 It’s the best sandwich in town.
 It is the best sandwich in town.
 This is the way it’s going to be.
 This is the way it is going to be.

11.  Try replacing the word who with he or answering the
question with he. If it works use who.
 Examples:
 We saw who walked by the window.
 We saw he walked by the window.
 Who went to the show?
 He went to the show.

12.  When you use the word whom you should be able to
replace it with the word him.
 Examples:
 This is the friend whom I told you about.
 I told you about him.
 To whom it may concern:
 It concerns him.

13.  Then can be used to specify a certain time.
 I am going to see my mom then.
 Then can be used to show order.
 We went to the movie then to dinner.
 Then can be used to show an addition.
 She took my money then my car.
 Then can be used to demonstrate “in that case”
 If you plan on leaving this house, then you need to clean the
kitchen.
 http://www.elearnenglishlanguage.com/difficulties/thanthen.html

14.  Than is used to make comparisons.
 Examples:
 I think he is nicer than she is.
 This dog is cuter than that one.

15.  Affect is used when you are showing influence.
 It is usually used as a verb.
 Examples:
 It affected the team when Joel got suspended.
 Practicing has a huge affect on performance.
 http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/affect-versus-effect.aspx

16.  Effect is what happens after a cause. It is a result.
 It is usually used as a noun.
 Examples:
 Weight loss is an effect of eating well and exercising.
 The broken leg is a side effect of jumping out the
window.
 http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/affect-versus-effect.aspx