Confusing words.
Affect or effect? Complement or compliment? Four quizzes and over a thousand questions on the word pairs that trip up students and native speakers alike.
Which word is it?
Read a definition and choose between two similar words, such as complement or compliment.
Sound-alike words
A large bank of homophones and near-homophones: words that sound the same but are spelled differently.
Confusing words in sentences
Fill in each blank with the correct word from the choices given.
The final exam
Fifty sentences with two choices each, including affect or effect and imply or infer.
Eight pairs that trip people up.
affect / effect
Affect is usually a verb (to influence). Effect is usually a noun (a result).
complement / compliment
A complement completes something. A compliment is praise. Remember: complement completes.
imply / infer
The speaker implies (suggests). The listener infers (concludes).
principal / principle
A principal is a head or main person, or the main thing. A principle is a rule or belief.
stationary / stationery
Stationary means not moving. Stationery is paper and envelopes: e for envelope.
lose / loose
Lose means to misplace or fail to win. Loose means not tight.
its / it’s
It’s always means “it is” or “it has.” Its shows possession: the dog wagged its tail.
envelop / envelope
To envelop is to wrap or surround. An envelope holds a letter.
Write with precision.
One-to-one lessons in English grammar, academic writing, and SAT and AP English, so the right word comes naturally. Start with a free 15-minute consultation.