| accept: |
to accept is to receive, admit or take on responsibility I accept responsibility for the car accident. |
| except: |
usually a preposition meaning other than or a conjunction meaning if it weren't for the fact that I have every card except the ace of spades. |
| affect: |
usually a verb meaning to have an influence on, to bring about a change Eating too much can affect your weight. |
| effect: |
usually a noun meaning result The effect of the frost will be higher fruit prices. |
| advice: |
a noun meaning an opinion about an action The pediatrician gave advice on how to bathe infants. |
| advise: |
a verb meaning to offer advice or recommend I would advise you not to speed at night. |
| forth: |
an adverb meaning forward in time, place or order We went forth with our plans to move. |
| fourth: |
follows third I was fourth in line. |
| its: |
shows possession, answers the question, "Whose?" Its gas tank was empty. |
| it's: |
contraction of it is It's the third Sunday of the month. |
| lose: |
to misplace something How can you lose your wallet? |
| loose: |
not tight, to set free We let the dog loose during the day. |
| no: |
the negative Staying home alone is no way to spend a Saturday night. |
| know: |
to possess knowledge I know the entire alphabet. |
| new: |
not old Every summer I buy a new swimsuit. |
| knew: |
past tense of know I knew the answer but did not raise my hand. |
| of: |
a preposition that links words The lion is the king of beasts. |
| have: |
a verb meaning to possess They have eight children. |
| Caution: don't contract have to of as in "This might of worked." It should be, "This might have worked," or "This might've worked." | |
| principal: |
adjective meaning important or having to do with interest/capital the adjective is always spelled with an a The principal of Denton High School is Bob Richards. |
| principle: |
noun that refers to a basic truth or law or a policy It was against my principles to argue with the elderly man. |
| there: |
(1) indicates direction: The dog is over there. (2) subject: There are five cookies left. |
| their: | shows possession: That is their new home. |
| they're: | contraction of they are: They're going to be late. |
| to: |
(1) preposition used to link words: Mary went to the library. (2) infinitive form of the verb: Bob likes to juggle. |
| too: |
(1) refers to quantity: I ate too much. (2) also: Sandy is going to the library too. |
| two: | the number two: We had two flowers to plant. |
| were: | verb: The twins were tired. |
| where: | direction or place: Where did I leave my glasses? |
| whose: | shows possession: Whose dirty shoes are on the carpet? |
| who's: | contraction of who is: Who's coming for supper? |
| your: | shows possession: Those are your dirty shoes. |
| you're: | contraction of you are: You're always late for supper. |
