This document provides examples of commonly confused words and phrases in English and explains the correct usage of each. It addresses word pairs like accept/except, affect/effect, advise/advice, all ready/already, allot/allowed, and others. For each pair, it gives the definition and part of speech for each word and provides an example sentence to illustrate the proper context in which to use each word. The document aims to help readers choose the appropriate word when writing by clarifying common confusions and misusages.

1. Choosing the Appropriate Word
Commission on Higher Education
Continuing Education Program:
English Language Proficiency Program

2. 1. Your responsible for all
the errors that have been
committed.
2. There are lots of factors
to consider.
3. She hanged her picture
on the wall.

3. 4. Accept for the
technical problem, the
show was very good.
5. It is alright for them
to go on leave.

4. 6. Whose joining the rally tomorrow?
7. They are suppose to participate
actively in group tasks.
8. She maybe joking when she said
that.
9. The group left irregardless of
warnings.

5. 10. The reason why it failed was because
they did not work as team.
11. Based on their reactions, they seemed
disinterested.
12. The imminent professor was awarded
the Nobel prize.
13. His pair of pants is very lose.
14. The teacher will discuss farther the
lesson next week.
15. Between the two options, the later is
more attractive.

6. 16. The woman was quiet big when I
first saw her a year ago.
17. The two friends shared secrets
with one another.
18. Its so sweet.
19. The former president is known for
fighting for her principals.
20. The manager laid off some
personal.

7. Examples of troublesome words and
expressions

8. Accept Except
Accept is a verb
meaning “to
approve” or “to
receive”.
Ex: The gifted child
accepted a donation
from a generous
parent.
Except is usually a
preposition meaning
“not including.”
Ex: All faculty
members were
promoted except the
new ones.

9. Adapt Adopt
Adapt means “to
accommodate” or
“to adjust to
conditions”.
Ex: The class had a
hard time adapting
to the substitute
teacher.
Adopt means “to
accept” or “to use as
one’s own.”
Ex: The childless
couple adopted a
beautiful baby girl.

10. Advise Advice
Advise is a verb meaning
“to give advice.”
Ex: The Dean advised
the teacher against
taking a leave of
absence.
Advice is a noun
meaning “helpful
suggestion,
recommendation or
counsel”.
Ex: The girl sought
advice from the priest.

11. Affect Effect
Affect is a verb meaning
”to influence”
Ex: His family problems
have affected his work
performance.
Effect is usually a noun
meaning “a result or
consequence.”
Ex: The serious effects of
environmental
degradation are
unimaginable.

12. All ready Already
All ready means that
everyone is ready.
Ex: The children are all
ready for the evaluation
next week.
Already means
“previously” or “by this
time”.
Ex: Gordon has already
settled his account.

13. All together Altogether
All together means
“considered as a group”
Ex: They ate all together
at the Japanese
restaurant.
Altogether means
“entirely” or “completely.”
Ex: The mother felt
altogether ecstatic when
her son topped the
exam.

14. Allusion Illusion
An allusion is an indirect
reference to something
Ex: In her essay, she
made an allusion to the
1987 Constitution.
An illusion is a false
perception or unreal
impression of something.
Ex: It is believed that a
magician’s trick is just an
illusion.

15. A lot (of), lots (of), alot
A lot or lots are colloquial for many or much.
Alot is a misspelling of a lot.
Ex:
His godfather gave him lots of money last
Christmas. (Colloquial)
His godfather gave him much money last
Christmas. (Formal)
Our math teacher has given us a lot of
assignments. (Colloquial)
Our math teacher has given us many
assignments. (Formal)

16. Allot
Allot means “to appropriate, assign, or distribute
according to a plan.”
Ex:
Congress allotted twenty million pesos for
infrastructure.

17. Alright
Nonstandard for all right
Do not use.

18. Anyone Any one
Anyone is an indefinite
pronoun meaning “any
person”.
Ex: Anyone can ask the
speaker questions about
the lecture.
Any one means “a single
person or thing.”
Ex: You are required to
answer any one of the
questions.

19. Awhile a while
Awhile is an adverb.
Ex: We stayed awhile in
my sister’s house.
Use a while (a noun) as
the object of a
preposition.
Ex:
The exam lasted for
awhile. (Nonstandard)
The exam lasted for a
while. (Formal)

20. Beside Besides
Beside is a preposition
meaning “by the side of.”
Ex: I stood beside my
dean at the convocation.
(by the side of)
Besides is a preposition
meaning “except” and an
adverb meaning “in
addition (to).”
Ex:
She thought of no one
besides him. (except)
Besides, she has what it
takes to be a star. (In
addition)

21. Burst, busted, bust
Burst is a verb meaning “to break apart or explode.”
Its principal parts are burst, burst, and burst.
Ex:
We were asked to bust the balloon.
(Nonstandard)
We were asked to burst the balloon. (Standard)

22. Cite, sight, site
Cite means “to name or mention”.
Sight means “to see”
Site means “place” or “location.”
Ex:
Writers of academic papers should cite sources of
information.
The military sighted the fugitive in a remote
province.
The site of the fastfood restaurant is beside the
university.

23. Coarse Course
Coarse means “rough in
texture”.
Ex:
The surface of the floor is
coarse.
Course refers to a unit of
study or a path.
Ex:
Two basic courses will be
offered next term.
Environmentalists
opposed the construction
of the golf course.

24. Complement Compliment
Complement means “to
complete or enhance.”
Ex:
His intelligence will
complement her
efficiency. (Verb)
For one to succeed,
discipline is a
complement for hard
work. (Noun)
Compliment means “to
express praise.”
Ex:
The students
complimented the chair
for her organizational
skills. (Verb)
Responses to
compliments may vary
across cultures. (Noun)

25. Continual Continuous
Continual means
“repeated frequently.”
Ex:
There was continual
laughter from the
audience during the
show.
Continuous means
“without interruption.”
Ex:
The clock ticks
continuously.

26. Council Counsel
Council is an noun that
refers to an assembly of
people.
Ex:
The council of deans
will meet on
Thursday. (Noun)
Counsel as a noun means
“advice or guidance,” or it
refers to an attorney.
Counsel as a verb means “to
advise” or “to give a helpful
recommendation.”
Ex:
The accused sat beside
her counsel during the
arraignment. (Noun)
The psychologist
counseled the
emotionally disturbed
person. (Verb)

27. DEsert Dessert
Desert as a noun with
the accent on the first
syllable means “a dry,
arid region of land.”
Desert as a noun with
the accent on the second
syllable means “a
deserved reward or
punishment.”
Dessert is a noun
meaning “sweets served
as the final course of a
meal.”
Ex:
A tray of assorted
fresh fruits makes a
great dessert.

28. DesErt
Desert as a verb (accent on
the second syllable) means
“to leave without any
intention to return.”
Ex:
Soldiers who desert the
military are punished
accordingly.

29. Device Devise
Device is a noun
meaning “a form of
equipment.”
Ex:
She bought the device in
the U.S.
Devise is a verb meaning
“to invent.”
Ex:
Jeffrey devised a plan to
motivate teachers to do
more research.

30. Different than Different from
Use different than when
the word than is used to
introduce a dependent
clause.
Ex:
The topics they were
told to study were
different than the
things that came out
in the exam.
More acceptable
Ex:
The teachers’ part in
the program was
entirely different from
the students’.

31. Disinterested Uninterested
Disinterested means
“impartial, not influenced
by personal bias.”
Ex:
A judge must be a
disinterested party in a
case.
Uninterested means “not
interested.”
Ex:
The students were
making noise because
they were uninterested in
the lecture.

32. Dyeing Dying
Dyeing means “imparting
color to a material.”
Ex:
He is dyeing his shirt
green.
Dying means “to cease
to be alive.”
Ex:
Pedro was beside his
grandmother when she
was dying.

33. Each other One another
Each other refers to two
people.
Ex:
Husband and wife should
bring out the best in each
other.
One another refers to
more than two people.
Ex:
The members of the
group helped one another
to get a high grade.

34. Emigrate Immigrate
Emigrate means “to
leave a country or
region.”
Ex:
Several families
emigrated from the
southern region due to
the deteriorating peace
and order situation in the
area.
Immigrate means “to
enter a country or
region.”
Ex:
Several families
immigrated to the city.

35. Eminent Imminent
Eminent means
“prominent in rank.”
Ex:
UN Secretary General
Kofi Annan is an eminent
person.
Imminent means “likely
to occur.”
Ex:
A coup d’etat is imminent
because of the current
political crisis.

36. Farther Further
Means “to a more distant
place”.
Ex:
The bus cannot go any
farther than Quezon.
Means “to a greater
extent” or “in addition”.
Ex:
She said she cannot help
him any further.

37. Fewer Less
Fewer refers to a number
of things.
Ex:
There were fewer
participants than we had
expected.
Less refers to an
amount.
Ex:
There is less water in the
glass.

38. Formally Formerly
Formally means “in a
proper form.”
Ex:
She was formally
introduced to his family.
Formerly means “at a
prior time.”
Ex:
The lady was formerly
connected with the
Accounting Division.

39. Hanged Hung
Use hanged as the past
tense or past participle of
hang only when it means
“an execution.”
Ex:
The criminal was hanged
in public.
In all other cases, use
hung .
Ex:
The entries in the lantern
contest were hung for
public viewing.

40. hisself, ourself, theirselves, themself
These are nonstandard forms of reflexive
pronouns.
Instead, use himself, ourselves, and themselves
Ex:
He has no one to blame but himself.

41. If Whether
Ex:
The President wanted to
know if you finished your
Ph.D.
Use whether when there
is an alternative or
choice
Ex:
My chair asked me
whether I took a service
leave or availed myself of
a sabbatical.

42. Imply Infer
Imply means “to
suggest.”
Making a suggestion
Ex:
The speaker implies that
there is corruption in
every agency of
government.
Infer means “to conclude
based on a suggestion.”
Drawing a conclusion
Ex:
From the given data we
can infer that the case
will not prosper.

43. Irregardless
Non-standard usage.
Use regardless instead.
Ex:
We should pursue our dreams regardless of the
consequences.

44. Its It’s
Possessive form of the
pronoun it.
Ex:
Its length is 120
centimeters.
Contraction for it is.
Ex:
It’s a wonderful day
today.

45. It’s me
Colloquial for it is I.
Ex:
It’s me again. (Colloquial)
It is I again. (Formal)

46. Kind of Sort of
Both expressions are colloquial.
Better to use somewhat or rather.
Ex:
The poor are kind of disadvantaged. (Colloquial)
The poor are somewhat disadvantaged. (Formal)

47. Later Latter
Later, a comparative
form of late, means “after
the due time” or “tardy.”
Ex:
She will see you later
today.
Latter is used to
compare things; it refers
to the last one
mentioned.
Ex:
Between love and career,
she chose the latter.

48. Lay Lie
Lay always takes an
object complement.
Lay means “to set or to
place.”
Ex:
She will lay her cards on
the table during her
meeting with the staff.
Lie never takes an
object.
Lie means to “rest.”
Ex:
He usually lies down on
the couch before dinner
time.

49. Loose Lose
Loose (rhymes with
moose) is the opposite of
tight.
Ex:
She always brings loose
coins when she travels.
Lose (rhymes with
shoes) means “to
remove from one’s
possession.”
Ex:
You will lose your chance
of getting a high grade.

50. Mad Angry
Mad means insane.
In writing, do not use
mad when the meaning
is angry.
Ex:
His teacher was mad at
him. (Colloquial)
Ex:
His teacher was angry at
him. (Formal)

51. Maybe May be
Maybe is an adverb that
means perhaps.
Ex:
Maybe you should see
me soon. (Adverb)
May be is a verb phrase
similar to might be.
Ex:
You may be reprimanded
for the lapse you have
committed. (Verb)

52. Most Almost
Do not use most when
you mean almost.
Ex:
Most all of the students
have left the school.
(Colloquial)
Almost is an adverb
meaning nearly. Most is
the superlative form of
more.
Ex:
Almost all of the students
have left the school.
(Formal)

53. myself (herself, himself, ourselves,
themselves, yourself)
Do not use reflexive pronouns where a personal
pronoun will fit.
Ex:
The members of the committee are Juan, Pia, and
myself. (Nonstandard)
The members of the committee are Juan, Pia, and I.
(Formal)

54. Passed Past
Passed (past tense of
the verb pass) refers to a
movement or successful
completion.
Ex:
The boy passed the
entrance exam given by
the prestigious school.
He passed the ball to his
teammate.
Past refers to a former
time.
As a preposition, past
means “beyond.”
Ex:
Our differences are all in
the past.
They walked past the
monument.

55. Personal Personnel
Personal is an adjective
meaning “private.”
Ex:
A resumé usually
includes personal data
about an applicant.
Personnel is a noun
meaning “workers” or
“employees.”
Ex:
The Director issued a
memorandum to all
personnel.

56. Principal Principle
Principal can be a noun (“a
leader, a chief part, or a sum
of money”) or an adjective
(“highest in rank”).
Ex:
The new high school
principal met with the
teachers.
She will pay the principal
plus interest.
Principle is a noun meaning
“a fundamental truth or law.”
Ex:
I admire people who do not
compromise their principles.

57. Quite Quiet
Quite (rhymes with right)
means “very.”
Ex:
The participants did quite
well in the competition.
Quiet (rhymes with diet)
means “not noisy.”
Ex:
She is looking for a quiet
place where she can
concentrate on her
review.

58. reason is because, reason why
The reason is because is
nonstandard usage.
Instead, use the reason is
that or just because.
Ex:
The reason I was absent is
because I was hospitalized.
(Nonstandard)
The reason I was absent is
that I was hospitalized.
(Formal)
I was absent because I was
hospitalized. (Formal)
The reason why is
redundant.
Instead, use either why or
the reason, but not both.
Ex:
You should know the reason
why I was absent. (Colloquial)
You should know why I was
absent. (Formal)
You should know the reason I
was absent. (Formal)

59. stationary stationery
Stationary means “fixed,
not moving.”
Ex:
The boats were in a
stationary position when
the giant waves swept
them.
Stationery is writing
paper.
Ex:
She bought two packs of
stationery at the
bookstore.

60. Suppose to Supposed to
Suppose to is
nonstandard.
Always use supposed to.
Ex:
We are supposed to
abide by the Constitution.

61. Sure Surely
Sure is an adjective.
Colloquially, sure is
sometimes used as an
adverb.
Ex:
Her siblings sure want
her to graduate this year.
(Colloquial)
Surely is an adverb.
Ex:
Her siblings surely want
her to graduate this year.
(Formal)

62. Than Then
Than is a conjunction used to
make comparisons.
Ex:
The lady basketball player is
taller than you.
Then is an adverb meaning
“at that time”, or it can be an
adverbial conjunction similar
to therefore.
Ex:
The teacher then moved on to
the group activities.
It rained for a whole day; then
all roads were impassable.

63. Their There
Their is a possessive
pronoun meaning
“belonging to them.”
Ex:
Sheila and Shirley turned
in their assignments
ahead of time.
There is an adverb
meaning the opposite of
here.
Also, there can be used
as the introductory word
of a sentence.
Ex:
I saw the cat there.
There are several
causes of air pollution.

64. They’re
They’re is a contraction for they are.
Ex:
They’re in Afghanistan as part of the UN
peacekeeping mission.

65. To Two
To is a preposition.
Ex:
He moved to Davao City
three years ago.
Two is a number.
Ex:
With her new diet she is
losing two pounds a day.
Too
Too is an adverb meaning “also” or “excessively.”
Ex:
Robert is too young to understand the current political crisis.

66. Toward Towards
Toward and towards are prepositions.
Either is proper as long as you are consistent.
Ex:
The snatcher headed towards a crowded area.
Then, he went towards the east.

67. Unique
Unique means “one of a kind” and “having no equal.”
Ex:
She loves to talk about her unique experience in Africa.
There are no degrees of uniqueness; therefore, do not
modify unique with very, more, or most.
Ex:
His African escapade was a very unique experience.
(Nonstandard)
This experience was even more unique than her Australian
tour. (Nonstandard)
His African escapade was a unique experience. (Formal)

68. While Whereas
While is used as a
conjunction meaning “during
the time that.”
Ex:
There was a power outage
while I was working on a
paper.
Do not use while when an
unspecified time period is
involved. Instead, use but,
whereas, or though.
Ex:
Eric is a priest while Hannah is
a nun. (Colloquial)
Eric is a priest whereas
Hannah is a nun. (Formal)

69. Who, which, that
Who refers to persons; which refers to things;
that refers to persons or things.
Ex:
The actor who (that) played the role of a retardate is
very convincing.
Lost in Translation, which stars Bill Murray, is a good
movie.

70. Whose Who’s
Whose is the possessive
form of who (“belonging
to whom”)
Ex:
Whose wallet is on the
table?
Who’s is a contraction for
who is or who has.
Ex:
Who’s going to see the
Dean tomorrow? (Who
is)
Who’s got loose coins?
(Who has)

71. Your You’re
Your is the possessive
form of you.
Ex:
Your proposal has been
turned down.
You’re is a contraction for
you are.
Ex:
You’re the source of
inspiration for so many
students.