Commonly Confused Words

The Prime Directive: When in doubt, pull the dictionary out.

accept / except: Accept means to approve, admit, or receive. Except means to leave out or exclude.
affect / effect: Affect is the action that causes a change. Effect is the end result.
allot / a lot: Allot means to divide and share. A lot means a large amount. Mnemonic: If you start with a lot but it gets allotted, you may end up with not much.
Note: “Alot” is not a word.
as / like / such as: Use as when the subject is the thing being described. Use like for comparison. Use such as to mean “for example.”
Example: Fruits such as pears and apples are healthy.
buy / by: Buy means to purchase. By means next to or near. Mnemonic: There are only two letters, so they have to be side by side.
capital / capitol: Capitol refers only to the government building with a dome. Capital is used in all other contexts. Mnemonic: The “o” in capitol looks like its dome.
complement / compliment: Complement means to complete or enhance. Compliment means to say something nice.
desert / dessert: Dessert (the after-dinner treat) has a second “s” because we usually want seconds. Desert is dry and uncomfortable.
elicit / illicit: Elicit means to bring out or draw forth. Illicit means illegal or against the rules.
eminent / imminent: Eminent means important or noteworthy. Imminent relates to time and means “about to happen.” Mnemonic: “Imminent” sounds like “in a minute.”
infer / imply: To infer is to draw a conclusion based on evidence. To imply is to suggest indirectly.
its / it’s: Its is possessive. It’s is a contraction meaning “it is.” Mnemonic: Possessive pronouns do not use apostrophes.
lay / lie: Lay means to place something down (requires an object). Lie means to recline.
Example: Lay the quilt on the bed, then lie down for a nap.
peace / piece: A piece is a portion. Peace means harmony.
pedal / petal: A pedal is pushed with a foot. A petal is part of a flower.
principal / principle: A principal is a leader or chief. A principle is a rule or belief.
right / write: Write relates to words. Right means correct, fair, or opposite of left.
than / then: Than is used for comparison. Then answers the question “When?”
that / who: Use that for things and who for people.
there / their / they’re: There refers to place. Their is possessive. They’re is a contraction meaning “they are.”
to / too: To indicates direction or is part of an infinitive. Too means “very” or “excessive.” Mnemonic: Too has too many o’s.
weather / whether: Weather refers to atmospheric conditions. Whether introduces alternatives.
were / we’re / where: Were is the past tense of “be.” We’re means “we are.” Where refers to place.
who’s / whose: Who’s means “who is.” Whose is possessive.
your / you’re: Your shows possession. You’re means “you are.”

Note: Not all commonly confused words contain visual or auditory cues. Some must simply be memorized, but mnemonic devices can help with many of them.