DE ENC 1101C Commonly Confused Words

Why are you studying this? Beginning composition students have been known to make mistakes. It is part of the curriculum for the course. Errors of this nature can undermine your credibility in school and in the workplace. Sure, you can refer to information online or in a handbook once you’re on your own, but if you already knew all this stuff...

Affect A verb meaning “to influence” The drug did not affect his driving. A noun meaning “result” In fact, the drug seemed to have no effect at all. RARELY a verb meaning “to bring about” Her efforts effected a change. Affect/Effect Effect

AmountAmount Amount words relate to quantities of things that are measured in bulk or perhaps that you couldn’t/wouldn’t count. amount This recipe calls for an insane amount of sugar. Number words are used when you can count. number We have a large number of toads in our garden. If you eat too many cookies, people would probably think you’ve had too much dessert. Amount/Number Number

Credible, Creditable, Credulous Credible– believable; While that is definitely an unusual fish story, it seems credible to me. Creditable—deserving of credit or worthy; I thought Sean Connery’s performance in The Untouchables was creditable. Credulous– gullible; The naïve, credulous freshman believed he needed the elevator pass that the dishonest senior sold him.

Different from/different than Most of the time, different from is preferred. Most of the time, different from is preferred.  Snape’s purpose is different from Draco’s. Exception  to eliminate wordiness Exception  to eliminate wordiness  Severus is a different person at the end of HP and the Half- Blood Prince than he is at the end of HP and the Chamber of Secrets.  Severus is a different person at the end of HPHBP from the person he is at the end of HPCS.

FartherFartherFurtherFurther Used for physical distance that is measured We are ten miles farther down the beach than our friends. Additional time, amount, or other abstract matters I will not discuss this with you further. To avoid further complications, keep your wound clean. Farther/Further

FewerFewerLessLess Individual countable items The express lane is designed for customers who have 10 items or fewer. Skim milk has fewer calories than whole milk. General amounts of non-count nouns We have less milk left than I thought. Fewer/Less

Reason is because... NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! Too informal or colloquial Too informal or colloquial Redundant Redundant  Reason and because mean the same thing. The reason he is absent is that he has the flu. The reason he is absent is that he has the flu. He is absent because he has the flu. He is absent because he has the flu.

Is When/Is Where Again, these are expressions that students should avoid in their writing. Typically, these are faulty constructions in sentences that define a term. Adolescence is a stage [not is when a person is] between childhood and adulthood. Beowulf’s first great deed occurs when he battles Grendel.

LayLay Lie To put or place and takes a direct object We could lay the surfboards on the grass. Lay, laid, laid To recline or to be and does not take a direct object I lie awake on Sunday nights. The town lies east of here. Lie, lay, lain Lay/Lie

Question of whether Common alternative is question as to whether Both are wordy constructions when whether will suffice.

Words confused or misused Words with similar sounds They’re/there/their They’re is a contraction of they are. There is an adverb that means “at that place.” There is also used to begin a sentence. They’re playing jazz music. There will be a crowd at the mall. Did you get there on time? “at that place” begins sentence

Words confused or misused Words with similar sounds They’re/there/their Their is the possessive form of they, meaning “belonging to them.” Did they make their own costumes?

To, too, two To—preposition or part of a verbal construction Too—adverb meaning “also” or “excessively” Two—a number I too have been to Canada two times.

Practice Lay/Lie—Exercises 1 & 2 Lay/Lie—Exercises 1 & 2 There, their, they’re—Exercises 1 & 2 There, their, they’re—Exercises 1 & 2 To, too, two—Exercises 1 & 2 To, too, two—Exercises 1 & 2 Record Scores—label and save for Exit Ticket Record Scores—label and save for Exit Ticket

Practice Dual Enrollment Main Page  Towson University Online Grammar Practice  Self-Teaching Units  Exercises  Commonly Confused Words  Farther/Further Exercise 1  Fewer/Less Exercises 1 & 2 On a sheet of paper, record your percentage on both exercises. On the same sheet, write down any questions you have. Your exit ticket will also be on this topic (use the same sheet).