There are several different word pairs that can be confusing. Once you learn the difference between these word pairs, you will improve your grammar skills. Here are some of the troublesome word pairs: affect/effect; there/their; two/to/too; its/it's; here/hear; who/whom; accept/except; desert/dessert; lay/lie; lose/loose; set/sit, etc.
Affect/Effect
Affect - The word affect is used as a verb, which means to influence or to change. For example: The weather affected our trip.
Effect - The word effect is used as a noun, which means a result. For example: Studying our vocabulary words will have an effect on our writing.
There/Their
There - There is similar to the word here. By thinking of the word here, you can remember which word to use. There means to place something somewhere such as: Put the book over there. You could also say: Put the book over here.
Theiir - Their is similar to the word heir. It shows possession. For example: This is their book. You can remember the word their by thinking of the word heir. For example: When his mother passed away, he was an heir. He inherited the house.
Two/To/Too
Two - Two means the number two. For example: I have $2.00 (Two dollars) left until I get paid.
To - To is used as a preposition. For example: We will go to the store.
Too - Too means also. We will go, too. We will go, also.
Its/It's
Its - Its shows possession. For example: The cat licked its paws.
It's - It's stands for the two words it is. For example: It's time for me to concentrate on my writing.
Here/Hear
Here - This word means a direction. For example: Put the book here. Think of the word there (here).
Hear - This word means to listen with your ears. For example: Can you hear me calling you? Think of the word ear (hear). Ear is the word in hear.
Who/Whom
Who - Who is used as a subject? For example: Who is coming today?
Whom - Whom is used as an object? For example: This book has been given to whom.
Accept/Except
Accept - Accept is used when you are being given something and you take it. For example: Will you accept this check?
Except - Except means everything but one or more things. For example: I know my vocabulary words except for this one.
Desert/dessert
Desert - This word means a place. For example: It is very hot in the desert.
Dessert - Dessert means something good to eat after a meal. For example: This dessert was very good. One way to remember these two words is to think of the two s's. Dessert has two s's. You would want two desserts and only one desert.
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