Commonly Confused Words

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Date:

Instructions: Affect or effect? Complement or compliment? Test your knowledge of tricky word pairs!

1.
Which sentence uses the correct word?
A
The weather will have no affect on us.
B
The weather will effect our plans.
C
The affect of the storm was devastating.
D
The weather will affect our plans.
2.
Which sentence uses the correct word?
A
She gave me a nice complement about my hair.
B
I received a lovely complement on my cooking.
C
That scarf really complements your outfit.
D
That scarf really compliments your outfit.
3.
Which sentence uses the correct word?
A
It's a matter of principal.
B
The principal of the school gave a speech.
C
The principle of the school gave a speech.
D
She has strong principals.
4.
Which sentence uses the correct word?
A
The car remained stationery at the light.
B
The car remained stationary at the light.
C
I need to buy some stationary for school.
D
I bought new stationary paper and pens.
5.
Which sentence uses the correct word?
A
Please except this gift.
B
I'll except your apology.
C
Everyone accept Tom was invited.
D
Everyone except Tom was invited.
6.
Which sentence uses the correct word?
A
I don't want to lose my keys.
B
Don't loose your keys.
C
My shoelaces are lose.
D
The knot came lose.
7.
Which sentence uses the correct word?
A
There going to the store later.
B
Their going to the store later.
C
They're going to the store later.
D
Theyre going to the store later.
8.
Which sentence uses the correct word?
A
Who's book is on the table?
B
Whose dog is that in the yard?
C
Who's dog is that in the yard?
D
Whose the person in charge here?
9.
Which sentence uses the correct word?
A
I have fewer money than yesterday.
B
There are less people here today.
C
She has less friends than her sister.
D
There are fewer people here today.
10.
Which sentence uses the correct word?
A
Please lie the book on the table.
B
The chicken lied three eggs.
C
I'm going to lay down for a nap.
D
I'm going to lie down for a nap.
11.
Which sentence uses the correct word?
A
Can you insure that the package arrives?
B
Please insure all doors are locked.
C
I need to ensure my car against theft.
D
Please ensure all doors are locked.
12.
Which sentence uses the correct word?
A
The capitol of France is Paris.
B
The capital building has a large dome.
C
The capital of France is Paris.
D
Washington, D.C. is our nation's capitol.
13.
Which sentence uses the correct word?
A
The Sahara Dessert is very hot.
B
The soldiers would never dessert their post.
C
I'll have chocolate cake for dessert.
D
I'll have chocolate cake for desert.
14.
Which sentence uses the correct word?
A
The elicit trade in wildlife is a problem.
B
The police uncovered illicit activities.
C
The survey was designed to illicit responses.
D
The comedian tried to illicit laughter.
15.
Which sentence uses the correct word?
A
They plan to immigrate from the country soon.
B
She emigrated to Canada from Mexico last year.
C
Many people immigrate from the United States.
D
My grandparents emigrated to America from Italy.

Answer Key

Question 1

D. The weather will affect our plans.

'Affect' is a verb meaning to influence. 'Effect' is usually a noun meaning the result. The weather influences (affects) plans.

Question 2

C. That scarf really complements your outfit.

'Complement' means to complete or go well with something. 'Compliment' means to praise. A scarf complements (goes well with) an outfit.

Question 3

B. The principal of the school gave a speech.

'Principal' refers to the head of a school or something of primary importance. 'Principle' means a fundamental truth or rule of conduct.

Question 4

B. The car remained stationary at the light.

'Stationary' means not moving. 'Stationery' refers to writing materials like paper and pens.

Question 5

D. Everyone except Tom was invited.

'Except' means excluding or leaving out. 'Accept' means to receive willingly. Everyone was invited, excluding (except) Tom.

Question 6

A. I don't want to lose my keys.

'Lose' is a verb meaning to misplace or be unable to find. 'Loose' is an adjective meaning not tight or free.

Question 7

C. They're going to the store later.

'They're' is a contraction of 'they are.' 'Their' shows possession, and 'there' indicates a place.

Question 8

B. Whose dog is that in the yard?

'Whose' is a possessive pronoun asking about ownership. 'Who's' is a contraction of 'who is' or 'who has.'

Question 9

D. There are fewer people here today.

'Fewer' is used for countable nouns (people, items). 'Less' is used for uncountable nouns (money, time, water).

Question 10

D. I'm going to lie down for a nap.

'Lie' means to recline (no direct object). 'Lay' means to put something down (requires a direct object). You lie down, but you lay a book on a table.

Question 11

D. Please ensure all doors are locked.

'Ensure' means to make certain something happens. 'Insure' means to arrange financial compensation in case of damage or loss.

Question 12

C. The capital of France is Paris.

'Capital' refers to a city that serves as the seat of government, or to wealth. 'Capitol' refers specifically to a building where a legislature meets.

Question 13

C. I'll have chocolate cake for dessert.

'Dessert' (two s's) is a sweet treat after a meal. 'Desert' (one s) is a dry, barren landscape or means to abandon.

Question 14

B. The police uncovered illicit activities.

'Illicit' is an adjective meaning illegal or forbidden. 'Elicit' is a verb meaning to draw out or evoke a response.

Question 15

D. My grandparents emigrated to America from Italy.

'Emigrate' means to leave one's country to live elsewhere (emigrate FROM). 'Immigrate' means to come to a new country to live (immigrate TO).

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