About this Flash Card Set
20 Cards
by grace_sullivan
The word pairs that trip up even strong writers, each with a plain-English explanation and a memory tip to help the difference stick.
Front
their / there / they're
Back
"Their" shows possession (their car); "there" refers to a place (over there); "they're" is short for "they are" (they're late). Tip: "they're" always unpacks to "they are."
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Front
your / you're
Back
"Your" shows possession (your book); "you're" means "you are" (you're kind). Tip: if "you are" fits, use "you're."
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Front
its / it's
Back
"Its" shows possession (the dog wagged its tail); "it's" means "it is" or "it has" (it's raining). Tip: no apostrophe for possession here.
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Front
affect / effect
Back
"Affect" is usually a verb, to influence (the noise affects me); "effect" is usually a noun, the result (the effect was clear). Tip: Affect = Action.
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Front
then / than
Back
"Then" refers to time or sequence (we ate, then left); "than" is used for comparisons (taller than me). Tip: thAn = compAre.
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Front
to / too / two
Back
"To" shows direction or is part of a verb (to run); "too" means also or excessively (me too, too hot); "two" is the number 2.
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Front
accept / except
Back
"Accept" means to receive or agree to (accept the gift); "except" means excluding (everyone except me). Tip: eXcept = eXclude.
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Front
lose / loose
Back
"Lose" means to misplace or not win (don't lose your keys); "loose" means not tight (loose pants). Tip: loose has an extra O, so it's roomy.
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Front
who's / whose
Back
"Who's" means "who is" or "who has" (who's there?); "whose" shows possession (whose coat is this?). Tip: who's always unpacks to "who is."
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Front
principal / principle
Back
"Principal" means main, or the head of a school (the principal reason; the school principal); "principle" is a rule or belief (a guiding principle). Tip: the principAL is your pAL.
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Front
complement / compliment
Back
"Complement" means to complete or go well with (the wine complements the meal); "compliment" is praise (a kind compliment). Tip: complEment complEtes.
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Front
stationary / stationery
Back
"Stationary" means not moving (a stationary car); "stationery" is writing paper and supplies. Tip: stationERy = papER and ENvelopes.
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Front
farther / further
Back
"Farther" refers to physical distance (two miles farther); "further" refers to figurative or additional degree (further discussion). Tip: farther has "far" for distance.
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Front
fewer / less
Back
Use "fewer" for things you can count (fewer cars); use "less" for things you can't count as separate items (less traffic, less water).
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Front
lie / lay
Back
"Lie" means to recline and takes no object (I lie down); "lay" means to place something and needs an object (I lay the book down). Tip: you lay something, but you yourself lie down.
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Front
e.g. / i.e.
Back
"e.g." means "for example" (introduces examples); "i.e." means "that is" (restates or clarifies). Tip: i.e. = in essence.
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Front
desert / dessert
Back
"Desert" (one S) is dry land, or means to abandon; "dessert" (two S's) is the sweet after a meal. Tip: dessert has two S's because you always want a second serving.
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Front
advice / advise
Back
"Advice" is a noun, a recommendation (good advice); "advise" is a verb, to give advice (I advise you to wait). Tip: advise with an S is the action.
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Front
a lot / allot
Back
"A lot" (two words) means a large amount; "allot" means to distribute or assign (allot funds). Note: "alot" is not a word.
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Front
capital / capitol
Back
"Capital" means the main city, wealth, or an uppercase letter; "capitol" is specifically the building where a legislature meets. Tip: the capitOl has a dOme.
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