Here we conclude our review of commonly confused words. After studying the definitions and examples in each set, do the short exercises that follow. Complete each blank with an appropriate word; then compare your responses with the answers at the bottom of the page.
21. passed, past
Passed is both the past and past-participle form of pass. Past is a noun (meaning "a previous time"), an adjective (meaning "ago"), and a preposition (meaning "beyond").
Examples:
The past two weeks have been hard for Sally. She has not passed any of her exams. When she walked past me, I told her to forget the past and look toward the future.
Practice:
(a) We drove _____ the exit five minutes ago.
(b) We _____ the exit five minutes ago.
(c) In the _____, students wore caps and gowns.
(d) In _____ years, students had to do kitchen chores.
22. precede, proceed
Precede means "to come before." Proceed means "to go forward."
Examples:
Bill Clinton preceded George W. Bush in the White House. Bush proceeded with his plans to increase military spending.
Practice:
(a) After keeping us for an hour, the guard let us _____.
(b) The storms of April _____ the gentle rains of May.
23. principal, principle
As a noun, principal means "administrator" or "sum of money." As an adjective, principal means "most important." The noun principle means "basic truth" or "rule."
Examples:
According to the Peter Principle, a worker will rise to his or her level of incompetence.
Ms. Benson said that boredom was her principal reason for retiring.
Practice:
(a) Mr. Bill retired as school _____.
(b) His _____ ambition now is to tend to his garden.
(c) The _____ of gardening is the same as the _____ of teaching: to provide nourishment.
24. quiet, quit, quite
Quiet means "silence." Quit means "to leave." Quite means "very" or "actually."
Examples:
I was quite tired and wanted a quiet place to nap. I asked the boys to quit playing games.
Practice:
(a) Henry needed peace and _____.
(b) He _____ his job and moved to the woods.
(c) Now he is _____ content.
25. than, then
Use than to make a comparison. Use then when referring to time.
Examples:
The quiz was harder than I had expected. I answered two questions and then got stuck.
Practice:
(a) I filled out a form and _____ waited in the lobby.
(b) I had to wait much longer _____ you did.
26. their, there, they're
Their is the possessive form of they. There is an adverb (meaning "at that place") and a pronoun used to start a sentence. They're is a contraction of they are.
Examples:
There are three kids in our family. They're all girls. Two of them are sitting over there. Their sister is at home.
Practice:
(a) _____ are geese in the garden.
(b) _____ nibbling the roses.
(c) _____ honking can be heard for miles.
27. to, too
The preposition to refers to a place, direction, or position. To is also used before the verb in an infinitive. The adverb too means "also" or "excessively."
Examples:
Meg was too tired to walk home. I was tired, too. We walked to a phone booth and called a cab.
Practice:
(a) I have wanted _____ visit Boise for years.
(b) I was always been _____ busy _____ go.
(c) Next week I am driving _____ Boise, and you may come _____.
28. which, who
The pronoun who refers to people; which refers to things.
Examples:
The man who just left drives a Pacer, which once was called "the car of the future."
Practice:
(a) Nan's book, _____ was published in May, is now a bestseller.
(b) A writer is a lucky person _____ has found a way to talk without being interrupted.
29. whose, who's
Whose is the possessive form of who. Who's is the contraction of who is.
Examples:
Whose turn is it to drive? Who's driving tomorrow?
Practice:
(a) _____ car was damaged?
(b) _____ going to pay for repairs?
30. you're, your
Your is the possessive form of you. You're is the contraction of you are.
Examples:
You're responsible for your own behavior.
Practice:
(a) _____ car is blocking mine.
(b) _____ going to have to move your car.
ANSWERS TO PRACTICE EXERCISES (P-Z)
21. (a) past; (b) passed; (c) past; (d) past22. (a) proceed; (b) precede
23. (a) principal; (b) principal; (c) principle, principle
24. (a) quiet; (b) quit; (c) quite
25. (a) then; (b) than
26. (a) There; (b) They're; (c) Their
27. (a) to; (b) too, to; (c) to, too
28. (a) which; (b) who
29. (a) Whose; (b) Who's
30. (a) Your; (b) You're
