Commonly Confused Words
For those of you who are writers or who want to be writers, I've listed some commonly confused words.
I've pulled all of these examples from fan fiction that I have read. Remember spell checkers do not tell you if you use the wrong word for the context.
Due - The bill is due. Pay your dues.
Do - action - Do your worst
To - go to some place
Too - also, in addition to
Two - number 2
You’re - contraction for you are. You’re a good fiend.
Your - possessive; I want your body.
Scent - I smelled it
Cent - a penny is one cent
Sent - I sent the letter to you
Quiet - silent
Quite - completely, wholly - Are you quite ready?
Duct tape - as in heating ducts, not ducks that go quack! (Note: There is a brand of duct tape, called Duck Tape). Duct tape is the generic term.
Rain - water that falls from the sky
Reign - A king reigns over his kingdom
Rein - the leather straps on a horse’s bridle use to steer the horse
Roll - you roll down a hill
Role - an actor plays a role
Its - possessive
It’s - contraction of it is
A word, or two, about possessives -
If the word is singular, John becomes John’s for possessive.
If the word is plural, cats becomes cats’.
If the word is singular but ends in an ‘s’, James becomes James’
Through - go through the door
Thorough - completely, methodical
Thru - is not a word!
Know - you know something
No - negative, won’t go, won’t do it
Knew - I knew you’d be late.
New - I just bought a new house.
Prostrate - lying flat, flattened - Prostrate with grief.
Prostate - a male gland
Buy - you buy a house
Bye - so long, farewell, good-bye, etc…
Prey - The lion stalks her prey.
Pray - Pray for forgiveness
Bored - I was bored silly by the play.
Board - You pay room and board or you build with a board, but you are never bored with a board!
Bore - I hope I’m not boring you! The man is a bore!
Boar - male pig
Nod - You nod your head yes.
Shake - You shake your head no. By this point in time you’re probably shaking your head in disgust or maybe amazement.
Thrown - The ball was thrown
Throne - The Kings sits upon his throne.
Steal - A thief steals
Steel - Metal used to build things
Do you have any more examples of commonly misused and confused words? Please leave a comment!