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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.