Our Glossary of Usage contains more than 150 sets of commonly confused words. To test your familiarity with some of these confusables, complete the following exercise in two steps:
- Identify the word in parenthesis that completes the sentence correctly.
- Combine the sentences in each set into a single clear sentence. (To learn more about sentence combining--a friendly alternative to traditional grammar instruction--see What Is Sentence Combining and How Does It Work?)
Exercise in Combining Sentences With the Correct Words
- George read the report. The report concerned the bad (affects or effects) of smoking. George puffed on his cigarette. He puffed nervously.
- The jogger stopped. He helped me. A tire was flat. We changed the tire. The jogger would not (accept or except) any money.
- Bobo gets up early every morning. He brews coffee for his wife. His wife leaves for work. (Than or Then) Bobo (lays or lies) down for a nap.
- The woman is running for mayor. She is that rare politician (who or whom) has strong ethical (principals or principles).
- The Nationals have (lead or led) the league. They have (lead or led) for the (passed or past) three years. They have (lead or led) in strikeouts.
- Reggie (laid or lay) the strange (device or devise) on the table. (Than or Then) he (preceded or proceeded) to explain how it worked.
- I would (have or of) called sooner. I was (hoping or hopping) that you would call first.
- There are now (fewer or less) students majoring in social work now. There are (fewer or less) students (than or then) in (passed or past) years.
- The ambulance (passed or past) us on the right. It was traveling at 80 miles an hour. (Its or It's) lights were flashing. (Its or It's) siren was wailing.
- (A lot or Alot) of my friends buy (their, there, or they're) (clothes or cloths) at Benny's Bargain Store. (Their, There, or They're) unable to afford new (clothes or cloths).
When you have completed the exercise, turn to page two for correct answers and sample combinations.
