Commonly Confused Words

Commonly Confused Words

By Christine Patterson

= a result or consequence

Effect (noun/thing)

Affect (verb/action)

Affect vs. Effect

= to change or impact

Ex: When my grandfather died, it really affected me because we were so close.​

Ex:​ One effect of drinking coffee is an increased heart rate. However, coffee does not affect everyone's heart rate in the same way.​ Coffee can have different effects on different people.

Multiple Choice

The pandemic has had many long-lasting ______ on people.

• effects

• affect

• effect

• affects

Multiple Choice

One interesting ______ of the pandemic is that many people now work from home.

• affect

• effect

• effects

• affects

Multiple Choice

When John took medication for his acne, he was surprised that it negatively _______ his skin. So, his doctor prescribed a new one.

• effect

• affect

• effected

• affected

Multiple Choice

What are some negative ________ of smoking?

• affects

• effects

• effect

• affect

Multiple Choice

I'm sorry, I didn't know that my words had _________ you so much. I was just joking.

• affected

• effect

• effected

• affect

Multiple Choice

Joining the Army had a positive _________ on Sarah's self-confidence. Now she feels more independent and courageous than ever.

• affect

• effects

• effect

• affects

Anna and Carlos have a dog. Their dog is adorable!

Their (belonging to them)

​​They're (They are)

There (place)

Steven and Mary have been married for 40 years. They're very happy together.

Look over there! That's where I live.

Multiple Select

Who are those people?

______ my parents.

(2 answers)

• There

• Their

• They are

• They're

Multiple Choice

Hey, did you go to Jose's party?

I think I saw you _______.

• there

• their

• they're

• they

Multiple Choice

I am staying at Lisa and Fernando's house. I'm watching ______ dog while ______ in Mexico.

• there / their

• their / they're

• they're / there

• they're / their

Multiple Choice

Where is your house?

It's right over ______!

• their

• they're

• there

• theirs

Multiple Choice

Amy and Bob lost their tickets. _______ lucky that they didn't lose _____ phones too.

• They're / there

• Their / there

• They're / their

• There / they're

​The ball went through the glass.

Through (in one side and out the other side)

​The boy threw the baseball and it hit a window.

Threw (past of throw)

Multiple Choice

Jane ______ her lunch in the trash because it was disgusting.

• throw

• threw

• through

Multiple Choice

When we went ________ the tunnel, I almost ______ up.

• threw / through

• through / threw

• threw / threw

• through / through

Multiple Choice

We were running ________ the forest, and my friend suddenly ______ me the frisbee.

• through / through

• threw / threw

• through / threw

• threw / through

A: I love dogs! I have 2 at home.

B: Really? Me too!​

​​Too

There are two animals on this slide.

​​Two (2)

They're going to school.

They're going to be late!

He is giving a book to his sister.​

​​To (preposition, direction)

Multiple Choice

A: There are _____ dolphins going ____ an island.

B: Yes, and there is a whale ____!

• two / to / to

• to / two / to

• too / to / to

• two / to / too

Multiple Choice

A: Who are you talking __?

B: ___ new classmates. They are taking science with Ms. Brown-Davis ___.

• to / two / too

• to / too / to

• too / two / to

• two / to / too

The pandas accepted the delicious bamboo that the zookeeper gave them.

Some parents don't want to accept that their children are growing up.​

​

​

Accept (consent to receive or believe in)

All of the Smith family went to the family reunion except for Kevin, Jane, and their baby.

Except (NOT including)

Multiple Choice

Jillian and the other applicants all _____ the job offer _____ for Billy.

• accepted / excepted

• accepted / except

• except / accept

• except / accepted

Multiple Choice

Everyone ______ Ricky liked the present. He refused to ______ it.

• except / accept

• accept / except

• accepted / except

• except / accepted