Commonly Confused Words & How To Avoid Them?

The importance of good grammar cannot be underestimated, the correct use of grammar is key in all forms of writing and ensures that you make a positive impression upon the reader. There are many words in the English language that often lead to confusion as to the correct word choice. Highlighted below are some such examples of words that often get people confused, with this helpful guide the differences are clarified.

Your/You’re

This use of abbreviations is frequently misspelt. The word “your” represents that something belongs to you and it always sits in front of a noun. The apostrophised “you’re” is always abbreviated from you are.

Advice/Advise

Advice is an opinion offered or recommended to someone, while Advise on the other hand, is said to be an act of offering someone an advice or opinion. So for example, if you need to use the word in a sentence, you say I advise you to give the students advice about their chosen careers.

Its/It’s

People tend to use these two words incorrectly. Please note that “It’s” is simply a contraction for “it is.” Its is a possessive pronoun. For example, it’s never too late.

Compliment/Complement

A compliment is something nice you say to someone, most especially when they have done something good. A complement is something that goes well with something else, as in this sentence: The diligence of workers and faithfulness of the boss of Express Limited complement each other to produce greater heights for the company.

Continuous/Continual

You can agree with me that both words mean for a certain duration, but continuous involves an uninterrupted amount of time. Continual means it happens on and off and with interruptions. For example, the continuous wave of the sea scares her a lot, but not as much as a continual bark of a dog.

Then/Than

The word “Than” is a conjunction used to make comparisons. She is taller than me. He is meaner than her. Then is an adverb used to situate actions in time. He ate, then went to bed. The baby screamed, then threw the rattle.

Lie/Lay

Lie means to recline or rest on a surface, but lay means to put something somewhere. She wanted to lie on the floor after I told her to lay her coat on the counter.

There/They’re/Their

There is a noun telling you of a point or place. They’re is simply a contraction for “they are.” Their is the possessive form of “they.” For example, where are they? They are over there! They’re playing football.

To/Too/Two

No one needs to be told that the word to is a preposition, too means also, two means a number. The trio should not be mistaken for each other, most especially when used in the construction a sentence. For example, Two people went to the shop, too.

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