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Commonly Confused Words

29 四月, 2016 - 11:35

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.

Table 12.6 Common Errors in English

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

   

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

   

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

   

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