Because even I stumble on my words rather frequently, I have a cheat sheet on my desktop that reminds me how to sound smarter! Here are some of my common blunders. Are they yours too?
Because even I stumble on my words rather frequently, I have a cheat sheet on my desktop that reminds me how to sound smarter! Here are some of my common blunders. Are they yours too?
Affect vs. Effect
Affect = use in the act of changing (verb). That message affected my decision.
Effect = use in the change itself (noun). That message had a great effect on me.
Alot vs. A lot vs. Allot
Alot = not a word
A lot = correct, but you can always find a better alternative (many, a great deal)
Allot = to set aside a certain amount
Cannot vs. Can not
Cannot = the more acceptable version of the two
Fewer vs. Less
Fewer = use with "count nouns"/something you can count. This lane is for 10 items or fewer.
Less = use with "mass nouns"/things you can't count individually. If I had less clutter on the floor, my carpet would be cleaner.
Pique vs. Peak vs. Peek
Pique = to instigate. That story piqued my interest in volunteering.
Peak = sharp point. We hiked to the peak of the mountain.
Peek = a quick glance. He allowed some of his friends to peek at his next poem.
Than vs. Then
Than = use for comparison. Ben is taller than Shawn.
Then = use for element of time. We sang and then prayed.
That vs. Who
That = use this when describing an object. My phone is the one that doesn’t have the broken screen.
Who = use this when describing a person. My sister is the one who has a broken phone screen.
There vs. Their vs. They're
There = a place. It must be fun to vacation there.
Their = indicates possession. My friends loved their vacation.
They're = contraction of “they are.” They're so glad you visited.
To vs. Too vs. Two
To = use as an infinitive when preceding a verb AND as a preposition preceding a noun. I'm going to Germany. He's going to drive.
Too = use as a synonym for “also” AND meaning excessively when it precedes an adverb or adjective. She's too slow. We want to go to Germany too.
Two = it's a number. I have two sisters.
Your vs. You're
Your = possessive. How's your day going?
You're = contraction for "you are." You're having a great day.
You might sound smarter if you read Lessons One, Two, Three, and Four.