The sentences in Table "Table 12.6" focus on some of the most common errors in English. You may recall this exercise from the introduction of this chapter. How did you do? Visit the “Additional Resources” section at the end of the chapter for some resources on English grammar and usage.
1. accept or except |
The office will _______ applications until 5 p.m. on the 31st. |
accept |
Attendance is required for all employees _______ supervisors |
except |
2. affect or effect |
To _______ the growth of plants, we can regulate the water supply. |
affect |
A lack of water has a predictable _______ on most plants. |
effect |
3. e.g. or i.e. |
Please order 2,000 imprinted giveaways (_______, pens or coffee mugs) |
e.g. |
Charge them to my account (_______, account #98765). |
i.e. |
4. its or it’s |
The department surpassed _______ previous sales record this quarter. |
its |
_______ my opinion that we reached peak oil in 2008. |
It’s |
5. lay or lie |
Please _______ the report on the desk. |
lay |
The doctor asked him to _______ down on the examination table. |
lie |
6. pressure or pressurize |
We need to _______ the liquid nitrogen tanks. |
pressurize |
It might be possible to _______ him to resign. |
pressure |
7. principle or principal |
It’s the basic _________ of farming: no water, no food. |
principle |
The _______ reason for the trip is to attend the sales meeting. |
principal |
8. regardless or irregardless |
_______ of what we do, gas prices are unlikely to go back down. |
Regardless |
_______ of your beliefs, please try to listen with an open mind. |
Regardless (Irregardless is not a standard word; see your dictionary) |
9. than or then |
This year’s losses were worse _______ last year’s. |
than |
If we can cut our costs, _______ it might be possible to break even. |
then |
10. that or which |
_______ type of marketing data did you need? |
Which |
Karen misplaced the report, _______ caused a delay in making a decision. |
which |
There are several kinds of data _______ could be useful. |
that |
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11 there their, or they’re |
The report is _________, in the top file drawer. |
there |
__________ strategic advantage depends on a wide distribution network. |
Their |
__________ planning to attend the sales meeting in Pittsburgh. |
They’re |
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12. to, too, or two |
Customers need _______ drive slower if they want to save gas. |
to |
After sales meeting, you should visit customers in the Pittsburgh area _______. |
too |
In fact, the _______ of you should make some customer visits together. |
two |
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13. uninterested or disinterested |
He would be the best person to make a decision, since he isn’t biased and is relatively _______ in the outcome. |
disinterested |
The sales manager tried to speak dynamically, but the sales reps were simply _______ in what he had to say. |
uninterested |
14. who, whom, who’s, or whose |
__________ truck is that? |
Whose |
__________ going to pay for the repairs? |
Who’s |
__________ will go to the interview? |
Who |
To __________ should we address the thank-you note? |
whom |
|
15 your or you’re |
My office is bigger than _______ cubicle. |
your |
_______ going to learn how to avoid making these common mistakes in English. |
You’re |
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