More Frequently Confused Words

I don't have the market cornered on these kinds of words, but here are several more I've discovered in various works of fan fiction:


canon- noun; a fundamental principle or general rule
cannon- noun; a mounted gun for firing heavy projectiles

then- adverb: at that time, next, immediately, in addition, in that case, therefore
than- conjunction; used to: introduce the second member of an unequal comparison, choice or diversity

past- noun or adjective; the time gone by or gone by or elapsed in time
passed- verb, past tense of to pass; to move past or go by

who's- contraction of who is or who has
whose- possessive pronoun; the possessive case of who or which used as an adjective

lose- verb; to misplace something 
loose- adjective or verb; free or released from fastening or attachment, or to make loose

road- noun; a way or course
rode- verb, past tense of to ride; to be borne along on or in a vehicle or other kind of conveyance

we're- contraction of we are
were- verb, past tense of to be; to exist or live

insure- verb; to guarantee against loss or harm
ensure- verb; to secure or guarantee, to make sure or certain

right- adj/noun/adv/verb; in accordance with what is right, fair or just
rite- noun; a formal or ceremonial act or procedure prescribed or customary in religious or other solemn use

faze- verb; to cause to be disturbed or disconcerted, daunt
phase- noun; a stage in a process of change or development

suit- noun/verb; -a set of clothing/to make appropriate, adapt, or accommodate, as one thing to another
suite-(sweet) noun; a number of things forming a series or set; a set of rooms

its- possessive form of the pronoun it
it's- contraction of it is or it has

That last one brings up another pet peeve of mine- confusion of possessives, plurals and contractions. It'll be a subject for a different post, that's for sure. Also, I should have noted before, but most of my definitions are from Dictionary.com.

Frequently Confused Words

I won't remember all the words I want to highlight here, so I'll create a series of posts with them and slap on a label to connect them.

These are words I've seen confused in my perusal of amateur fiction-posting websites. Lack of spell-check doesn't account for many of these; laziness does. Some of these just blow my mind, but considering what my children have been taught about grammar (next to nothing) I shouldn't be surprised.

there- most commonly used as an adverb; in a particular place, point or manner
their- possessive pronoun; Their child.
they're- contraction of they are

bear- verb; hold up, bring forth, produce
bare- adjective; without covering, open to view, plain, scarcely

throne- noun; chair or seat occupied by an exalted person, the office or power of such
thrown- verb, past form of throw

reign- noun/verb; period of time a sovereign occupies a throne, a dominating power
rein- noun/verb; leather strap connected to a bridle to control a horse, to control

peek- verb/noun; to look quickly / a quick look
peak- noun; the pointed top of anything, highest point or level
pique- verb; to wound (pride), excite, provoke

to- preposition; used to express motion or direction toward a person, place or thing
too- adverb; also, in addition, more, very
two- noun; the number 2

affect- verb/noun; to act on, move the feelings of / feeling or emotion
effect- noun/verb; result, influence, meaning, purpose/ to make happen

your- possessive pronoun, second person (Your wallet.) 
you're- contraction of "you are" (You're coming tonight.)

led- verb, past tense of lead (pronounced "leed"- see below)
lead- verb; to go before, guide, influence, to take or bring (also a soft metal pronounced like "led")

I think that's enough for now. It is amazing how many frequently confused words aren't even spelled the same. Regional pronunciations are more to blame than anything, I think. 

Parts of Speech

I thought it might be helpful to put in a description of parts of speech, since they are a main part of grammar. I'm going to post a bit later about confusing words and knowing what I'm talking about would help. Also, I'd like a reference for myself. :) The following chart is from an ESL website called easypacelearning.com.


Sometimes the parts of speech are divided into 8 or 10 parts, so different people may have different opinions. But I am happy with the pretty chart with 9. There's so much more to it, but this covers the basics nicely. I can always go into more detail later- this is a blog, after all!

Hi there!

I suppose I should have introduced myself first. I'm AJ. I currently write fan fiction at fanfiction.net and LiveJournal. I am constantly looking for ways to improve my own writing and I aim to do that by helping everyone else along with me. At least other English-speakers.


Here are my credentials:


At least at writetodone.com. Granted, the quiz is only 5 questions. :) Their quiz is here.

At any rate, I can't help but pick out grammatical errors wherever and whatever I read. Not that I'm perfect, but they just pop out at me. Especially commonly confused words, like affect and effect. Verb and noun, respectively, argh. I actually like to hang out at Dictionary.com, and I did used to read the dictionary as a kid.

So my main idea behind this is to put grammar tips here so I can remember them. And if I can help anybody else along the way, fantastic! Thank you and welcome! :)




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Hi! I'm Ane. I am a wife and mother of 3, soon to be an empty nester. Join me as I discover what I like to write.
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