wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Confusing Words

Total questions: 147

Worksheet time: 1hrs 12mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Correct grammar, usage, spelling, and mechanics can truly ____ your clarity as a writer: if you have great ideas, you need to make them clear!

a)

effect

b)

affect

2.

Any additional practice you can give me is _____ by me!

a)

alright

b)

all right

c)

a'ight

3.

Is Washington D.C. or North Carolina _________ from New Orleans?

a)

farther

b)

further

4.

Since she had a terrible cold, her stuffy nose _______ the way she talked.

a)

affected

b)

effected

5.

Be careful that your straps are not too ______ before going rock climbing.

a)

loose

b)

lose

6.

Can anyone tell me _______ ready for summertime?

a)

who's

b)

whose

7.

Since she had a terrible cold, her stuffy nose _______ the way she talked.

a)

affected

b)

effected

8.

Some dietary factors can ___________ longevity.

a)

affect

b)

efect

c)

afect

d)

effect

9.

My shoelaces are ...

a)

losee

b)

loose

c)

lose

10.

I hope we dont ... our game tonight.

a)

loose

b)

lose

11.
____ going?
a)
Whose
b)
Who's
12.

This change __________________ all of us.

a)

efects

b)

affects

c)

effects

d)

afect

13.

She was wearing a _________________ dress.

a)

lose

b)

loosed

c)

loose

d)

lost

14.

If you want to go a step _______________, try making a lemon frosting.

a)

farther

b)

further

15.

Did you notice the _______________your remarks had on Gregory? He was quite shocked!

a)

EFFECT

b)

AFFECT

16.
As strawberry ice cream dribbled down the cone and over his hand, Jerry complained, "__________ so hot out here that my tongue can't keep up!"
a)
Its
b)
It's
17.
The iced coffee sat forgotten on the table. __________ sweating cup formed a ring on the polished wood.
a)
Its
b)
It's
18.
"__________ time you found a summer job," Mom declared as she pushed Sonny's feet from the coffee table and turned off the television.
a)
Its
b)
It's
19.
Jim and Bob both applied for the same job. Jim said," ________ not going to hire us both. ______ not fair."
a)
There / its
b)
They're / it's
c)
Their / it's
d)
They're / its
20.
______ is no reason for me to keep writing my essay. ____ finished.
a)
There / Its
b)
They're / It's
c)
Their / Its
d)
There / It's
21.
As strawberry ice cream dribbled down the cone and over his hand, Jerry complained, "__________ so hot out here that my tongue can't keep up!"
a)
Its
b)
It's
22.
The iced coffee sat forgotten on the table. __________ sweating cup formed a ring on the polished wood.
a)
Its
b)
It's
23.

Fran decided against a golden retriever puppy since __________ thick coat of long fur would be a vacuuming nightmare.
a)
its
b)
it's
24.
"__________ time you found a summer job," Mom declared as she pushed Sonny's feet from the coffee table and turned off the television.
a)
Its
b)
It's
25.
They've forgotten ______ bags.
a)
They're
b)
There
c)
Their
26.
______ is no soap in my bathroom. Could you send some up please?
a)
They're
b)
There
c)
Their
27.
I don't think ______ coming.
a)
They're
b)
There
c)
Their
28.
______ are several mistakes in this paper.
a)
They're
b)
There
c)
Their
29.
Jim and Bob both applied for the same job. Jim said," ________ not going to hire us both. ______ not fair."
a)
There / its
b)
They're / it's
c)
Their / it's
d)
They're / its
30.
______ is no reason for me to keep writing my essay. ____ finished.
a)
There / Its
b)
They're / It's
c)
Their / Its
d)
There / It's
31.

_______ the water in the river was cold, they went swimming.

a)

Nevertheless

b)

Although

c)

Whereas

d)

Despite

32.

Zoos help to conserve endangered species. They are a poor substitute for the real wild habitat, _______.

a)

unlike

b)

too

c)

though

d)

otherwise

33.

People use mobile phones to talk to their relatives and friends. _______, they surf the Internet.

a)

On the contrary

b)

Moreover

 

c)

As well as

d)

Nonetheless

34.

_______ his older brother, who is interested in doing water sports, Bill likes playing chess.

a)

In spite of

b)

Unlike

c)

Except for

d)

Yet

35.

_______ being late, a job candidate was interviewed.

a)

While

b)

In addition

c)

In contrast to

d)

In spite of

36.

_______ Henry was playing video games, Ann was studying for her final exam.

a)

But

b)

Also

c)

Despite

d)

While

37.

They like Star Wars movies, _______ the last one.

a)

in contrast to

b)

yet

c)

except for

d)

along with

38.

Young people want to get wireless speakers _______ smart watches for their birthdays.

a)

as well as

b)

also

c)

besides

d)

furthermore

39.

Most students wear school uniforms these days. _______, our school allows us to wear casual clothes, for example, jeans and T-shirts.

a)

Along with

b)

However

c)

Whereas

d)

Even though

40.

Some people think that giving pocket money to young children spoils them. On _______ , they learn its value.

a)

the contrast

b)

the contrary

c)

contrast

d)

the one hand

41.

He bought a new pair of trousers _______ with a warm jacket.

a)

also

b)

as well

c)

in addition

d)

along

42.

She speaks English very well. She knows Chinese, _______.

a)

what is more

b)

in contrast

c)

too

d)

either

43.

It's rainy outside. Take an umbrella, _______ you'll get wet.

a)

otherwise

b)

whereas

c)

despite the fact that

d)

yet

44.

Extreme sports are exciting _______ dangerous.

a)

also

b)

yet

c)

furthermore

d)

unlike

45.

I love not only giving presents _______  getting them.

a)

yet

b)

along with

c)

but also

d)

on the other hand

46.

I ______ turned in my Ambassador application essay.

a)

all ready

b)

already

47.

Is the weather _______ for a boat ride on the lake this afternoon?

a)

all right

b)

alright

48.

I have _______ dogs than my friend, Mary, who has six dogs.

a)

fewer

b)

less

49.

I _______ your apology.

a)

except

b)

accept

50.

Lindsey will volunteer at the engineering _______ over summer.

a)

sight

b)

site

c)

cite

51.

Susan _______ been an A+ student, if she applied herself.

a)

could have

b)

could of

52.

The English research papers are stacked _______ on my desk.

a)

altogether

b)

all together

53.

Due to the _______ times the boys cheated in the game, they should have been disqualified.

a)

number of

b)

amount of

54.

Abraham Lincoln is a _______ (as in former, not dead) President of the United States of America

a)

passed

b)

past

55.

Is Washington D.C. or North Carolina _________ from New Orleans?

a)

farther

b)

further

56.

In order to relieve some tension in my shoulders, I have to _______ down these super heavy books.

a)

lay

b)

lie

57.

Since she had a terrible cold, her stuffy nose _______ the way she talked.

a)

affected

b)

effected

58.

It is important to drink 8 glasses of water _______ so that you do not get dehydrated.

a)

everyday

b)

every day

59.

I cannot wait to go home, _______ in bed, and watch Netflix.

a)

lay

b)

lie

60.

There are _______ days of school before the end of the year than we thought we had.

a)

less

b)

fewer

61.

I think the ________ butter I put in the cake was more than the recipe called for.

a)

number of

b)

amount of

62.

Be careful that your straps are not too ______ before going rock climbing.

a)

loose

b)

lose

63.

After the nasty breakup, she felt like her heart was tearing _______.

a)

a part

b)

apart

64.

Catherine's flight was delayed because it was raining heavily _______ I said it would be.

a)

as

b)

like

65.

Can anyone tell me _______ ready for summertime?

a)

who's

b)

whose

66.

I'd say that given the circumstances of this quarter, everyone has done pretty darn _______ this year in English III.

a)

well

b)

good

67.

The basic ___________ of most major religions are the same.

a)

principles

b)

principals

c)

principols

d)

princepals

68.

When you go to a job interview, try to be prepared and to dress ___________.

a)

respectively

b)

respective

c)

respectably

d)

respecting

69.

Our lack of ___________ is keeping us from expanding into new markets.

a)

capitol

b)

capital

c)

copital

d)

capitel

70.

Our workers are paid on a daily ___________.

a)

bases

b)

basics

c)

baces

d)

basis

71.

We'll join you later – we have something ___________ to discuss first.

a)

personel

b)

personnal

c)

personal

d)

personnel

72.

Some dietary factors can ___________ longevity.

a)

affect

b)

efect

c)

afect

d)

effect

73.

In September 2000, 189 member states of the United Nations came together at a summit and adopted the ___________ Declaration.

a)

Millenium

b)

Millennium

c)

Milenium

d)

Millinium

74.

Would people live better lives if there were no ___________ ?

a)

posessions

b)

possesions

c)

possessions

d)

positions

75.

Please wait ___________ everybody comes back.

a)

untile

b)

untel

c)

untill

d)

until

76.

After the seminar, we had to fill in a long ___________.

a)

questionnaire

b)

questionere

c)

questionaire

d)

questioner

77.

I wanted to know ___________ you would cooperate

a)

wether

b)

weather

c)

whether

d)

wither

78.

You need to ask the ___________ department about it.

a)

personnel

b)

personal

c)

personelle

d)

personally

79.

Dogs wag their ___________ when they are happy.

a)

tales

b)

tails

c)

tailes

d)

taels

80.

Our manager's ___________ concern is our work productivity.

a)

principle

b)

principol

c)

principel

d)

principal

81.

The story took place in a ___________.

a)

dessert

b)

dissert

c)

desert

d)

dezert

82.

John, Tom, and Michael, ___________, will present their reports to the committee.

a)

respectably

b)

respectable

c)

respectively

d)

respectivly

83.

I always eat ice cream for ___________.

a)

dessert

b)

desert

c)

dissert

d)

dezert

84.

He passed all the ___________ and got a homerun.

a)

basis

b)

bases

c)

basic

d)

base

85.

This is not a ___________ to be told when children are here.

a)

taile

b)

tael

c)

tail

d)

tale

86.

Talking about the ____________ is a great topic for small talk.

a)

whether

b)

wither

c)

weather

d)

weathor

87.

I can’t see very (good, well) at night, so I don’t usually drive in the dark.

a)

good

b)

well

88.

Sally did (imply, infer) from my comments that I was disappointed with her work.

a)

imply

b)

infer

89.

When I think (have, of) what might have been, I get angry with myself for not trying.

a)

have

b)

of

90.

Are you _______________(ing) that Jane was responsible for the car accident?

a)

good

b)

well

c)

imply

d)

infer

91.

It was _______________ to see you yesterday at the basketball game.

a)

good

b)

well

c)

have

d)

of

92.

I should _______________ known you were always a truthful person.

a)

have

b)

of

c)

imply

d)

infer

93.

I felt _______________ until I came down with a sore throat last week.

a)

good

b)

well

c)

imply

d)

infer

94.

We enjoyed the show and had a _______________ time at the theater.

a)

good

b)

well

c)

have

d)

of

95.

The comments on your papers _______________ that you should have done more research.

a)

have

b)

of

c)

imply

d)

infer

96.

There is no question that I could _______________ won the race.

a)

good

b)

well

c)

have

d)

of

97.

Hannah took the remark ________ and thought cats and dogs were falling from the sky.

a)

lay

b)

lie

c)

literally

d)

figuratively

98.

The ____ reason why I chose to study guitar rather than piano is that the instrument is more portable.

a)

literally

b)

figuratively

c)

principal

d)

principle

99.

Just ______________ your tools on the workbench and let me show you what needs to be done.

a)

lay

b)

lie

c)

principal

d)

principle

100.

Allen was a man of _______ and good to his word.

a)

principal

b)

principle

c)

lay

d)

lie

101.

When Trish stated that she died when she heard the joke, she was speaking ___.

a)

literally

b)

figuratively

c)

principal

d)

principle

102.

Learning the basic ___________(s) of algebra will help you in your study of science.

a)

lay

b)

lie

c)

principal

d)

principle

103.

The biggest valleys we know _______________ at the bottom of high mountains.

a)

lay

b)

lie

c)

literally

d)

figuratively

104.

It usually is never good when someone is called down to the ________’s office.

a)

lay

b)

lie

c)

principal

d)

principle

105.

The house was __________ only five minutes down the street, if she traveled by car.

a)

lay

b)

lie

c)

literally

d)

figuratively

106.

I cannot _______________ down for a rest until the dishes are washed and put away.

a)

lay

b)

lie

c)

literally

d)

principle

107.

We drove ______ the new pool.

a)

buy

b)

by

c)

bye

108.

I asked my mom to _____ me a new toy.

a)

by

b)

buy

c)

bye

109.

I said ____ to my friend when she left my house.

a)

by

b)

buy

c)

bye

110.

The colored pencils are ____ the markers.

a)

by

b)

bye

c)

buy

111.
I hope that _______ having fun on the cruise
a)
there
b)
they're
c)
their
d)
hair
112.
If you look over _________, you might find the wallet that you lost. 
a)
their 
b)
they're
c)
there
d)
puppies 
113.
Is that ______ coat in the lost and found?
a)
you're
b)
your
c)
she
d)
him
114.
Abigail stopped _______ Meloney's house on Friday.
a)
buy
b)
bye
c)
by
d)
fly
115.
I hate to say good ______ to my puppy.
a)
buy
b)
bye
c)
by
d)
dry
116.
Ecko and Abner are going ___ see the movie on Saturday.
a)
two
b)
to
c)
too
d)
chew
117.
I ate ______ many candies on Halloween and now I have a stomachache.
a)
to
b)
two
c)
too
d)
shoe
118.
Did you know cows have more than ______ stomachs?
a)
to
b)
two
c)
too
d)
moo
119.
This quiz was _______ easy.
a)
to
b)
too
c)
two
d)
glue
120.
_________ is a new student coming on Monday.
a)
they're
b)
their
c)
there
121.
It might be _______ last chance to win the football game.
a)
there
b)
their
c)
they're
122.
"__________ not identical twins." said Ryan.
a)
their
b)
they're
c)
there
123.
__________ you going to play golf tomorrow?
a)
Verb
b)
Our
c)
Are
d)
Noun
124.
It is _______ turn to clean the tables.
a)
Verb
b)
Are
c)
Our
d)
Noun
125.
In one ______ it will be time for recess.
a)
our
b)
are
c)
hour
d)
ower
126.
Those who have heard Rachel's stories, _______ she is a talented writer.
a)
nose
b)
noe
c)
no
d)
know
127.
"_____.  You can't stay up late," his mom warned.
a)
No
b)
Know
c)
Nose
d)
Gnow
128.

I love those shoes you're ------------------------

a)

wearing

b)

carrying

129.

Have you ever _______ a prize?

a)

won

b)

earned

130.

They ------------- at a party last year

a)

met

b)

knew

131.

Can you help me, or are you _______________ at the news on TV?

a)

looking at

b)

watching

132.

She _____________ her mother. They have the same eyes

a)

looks like

b)

looks

133.

Did you ___________ me anything back from New York?

a)

bring

b)

take

134.

Alba's ___________________, a new job which starts next week.

a)

looked for

b)

found

135.

Are people from your country good at ______________ jokes

a)

saying

b)

telling

136.

We got to the airport late, so we ______ the plane

a)

missed

b)

lost

137.

Would you _______ money to a good friend?

a)

lend

b)

borrow

138.

I ________ that I pass my end-of-year exams

a)

wait

b)

hope

139.

She's ______ a really heavy bag.

a)

wearing

b)

carrying

140.

I've ___________ my best friend for ten years.

a)

known

b)

met

141.

Do you like _________ photos of yourself?

a)

watching

b)

looking at

142.

How much money do you _________ a month?

a)

win

b)

earn

143.

You _______ really sad. What's wrong?

a)

look

b)

look like

144.

It's going to rain later, so don't forget to ___________ an umbrella with you

a)

bring

b)

take

145.

She ______ that she was sorry.

a)

said

b)

told

146.

We had to __________ money from the bank to buy a car.

a)

lend

b)

borrow

147.

I'm always _______my glasses.

a)

missing

b)

losing