2. Word choice errors tend to
fall into 3 main categories.
1. Homonyms
2. One-letter differences
3. Possessive/contraction
confusion
3. Homonyms
Homonyms are words that sound
alike but are spelled differently and
have two different meanings and uses
in a sentence.
past – opposite of the future – noun
passed –what a quarterback did - verb
4. Homonyms
principal – person who runs the school
principle – a rule or guideline
through – the direction of something
threw - what that QB did again
5. Homonyms
Knowing parts of speech helps us decide
which homonym to use
We ate (are, our) lunch outside today
The sentence calls for a pronoun, so
“our” is the correct choice
6. One letter difference
A one-letter difference can
change the meaning
completely
compliment – saying something
nice
complement – something that
completes or brings to perfection
7. One letter difference
coarse – harsh or rough texture
course – all other meanings, such
as golf “course,” of “course”
8. One letter difference
To differentiate between words with
only one letter difference, try creating
a memory cue
For example, “coarse,” like its
definition, “harsh,” has an “a” in it.
