Confusiao : Part 1 :)

adoptive with adopted: children are adopted, but parents are adoptive.

adverse, 'unfavourable, bad', with averse, which means 'strongly disliking or opposed to', as in I am not averse to helping out.

affect and effect: affect means 'make a difference to', whereas effect means 'a result' or 'bring about (a result)'.

ambiguous with ambivalent: ambiguous primarily means 'having more than one meaning, open to different interpretations', while ambivalent means 'having mixed feelings'.

amoral with immoral: amoral means 'not concerned with morality', while immoral means 'not conforming to accepted standards of morality'.

appraise with apprise: appraise means 'assess', while apprise means 'inform'.

augur, 'be a sign of (a likely outcome)', with auger (a tool used for boring).

censure with censor: censure means 'express strong disapproval of', whereas censor means 'suppress unacceptable parts of (a book, film, etc.)'.

climactic, 'forming a climax', with climatic, which means 'relating to climate'.

complacent, 'smug and self-satisfied', with complaisant, which means 'willing to please'.

complement, 'a thing that enhances something by contributing extra features', with compliment, which means 'an expression of praise' or 'politely congratulate'.

continuous and continual: continuous primarily means 'without interruption', and can refer to space as well as time, as in the cliffs form a continuous line along the coast; continual, on the other hand, typically means 'happening frequently, with intervals between', as in the bus service has been disrupted by continual breakdowns.

council, an administrative or advisory body, with counsel, advice or guidance.

councillor with counsellor: a councillor is a member of a council, whereas a counsellor is someone who gives guidance on personal or psychological problems.

credible with creditable: credible means 'believable, convincing', whereas creditable means 'deserving acknowledgement and praise'.

definite ('certain, sure') with definitive, which means 'decisive and with authority'.

defuse, 'remove the fuse from (an explosive device)' or 'reduce the danger or tension in (a difficult situation)', with diffuse, which means 'spread over a wide area'.

desert (a waterless area) with dessert (the sweet course)!

discreet, 'careful not to attract attention or give offence', with discrete, which means 'separate, distinct'.

draft and draught. In British English draft means 'a preliminary version' or 'an order to pay a sum', whereas a draught is a current of air or an act of drinking; in North American English the spelling draft is used for all senses. The verb is usually spelled draft.


Source: askoxford

Intentionally posting only from a-d. Please learn this before we move on to other alphabets.
Hope that helps.

Present Perfect USAGE...important!!!

[ Present Perfect Tense - When to use ] [ Present Perfect Tense - How to form ] [ Present Perfect Tense - Already and Yet ] [ Present Perfect Tense - For and Since ] [ Present Perfect and Past Simple tenses ]

The Present Perfect Tense - When to use

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We use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about experiences. It is important if we have done it in our lives or not. It is not important when we did it. Examples I have been abroad two times. Anna has never broken a leg. Have you ever eaten sushi? Tip! We often use never and ever with the Present Perfect Tense to talk about experience. We use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about an action which started in the past and continuous up to now. Examples I have been a teacher for more than ten years. We haven't seen Janine since Friday. How long have you been at this school? Tip! We often use since and for to say how long the action has lasted. We also use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about a past action that has the result in the present. Examples I have lost my wallet. = I don't have it now. Jimmy has gone to South America. = He isn't here now. Have you finished your homework? = Is your homework ready? Tip! We often use just, already and yet with the Present Perfect Tense for an action in the past with the result in the present.

Uses of the Present Perfect - Practice

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Exercise: chose for or since.

1. You have broken my watch! --- experience continues up to now present result
2. I have never been to Paris. --- experience continues up to now present result
3. How long have you been here? --- experience continues up to now present result
4. Angela has bought a new flat. --- experience continues up to now present result
5. How many times have you been married? --- experience continues up to now present result
6. We haven't worked on a farm. --- experience continues up to now present result
7. This building has been an office since 1998. --- experience continues up to now present result

Quick Spelling Hint: Make sure you DO NOT spell this tense as Present Pefect that appear to be a very typical spelling mistake.

Learn how to form the Present Perfect Tense.

http://www.eclecticenglish.com/grammar/PresentPerfect1A.html

Artilcles' Usage

Using Articles

Summary: This handout discusses the differences between indefinite articles (a/an) and definite articles (the).

Contributors:Paul Lynch, Allen Brizee
Last Edited: 2010-04-17 05:55:27

What is an article? Basically, an article is an adjective. Like adjectives, articles modify nouns.

English has two articles: the and a/an. The is used to refer to specific or particular nouns; a/an is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. We call the the definite article and a/an the indefinite article.

the = definite article

a/an = indefinite article

For example, if I say, "Let's read the book," I mean a specific book. If I say, "Let's read a book," I mean any book rather than a specific book.

Here's another way to explain it: The is used to refer to a specific or particular member of a group. For example, "I just saw the most popular movie of the year." There are many movies, but only one particular movie is the most popular. Therefore, we use the.

"A/an" is used to refer to a non-specific or non-particular member of the group. For example, "I would like to go see a movie." Here, we're not talking about a specific movie. We're talking about any movie. There are many movies, and I want to see any movie. I don't have a specific one in mind.

Let's look at each kind of article a little more closely.

Indefinite Articles: a and an

"A" and "an" signal that the noun modified is indefinite, referring to any member of a group. For example:

• "My daughter really wants a dog for Christmas." This refers to any dog. We don't know which dog because we haven't found the dog yet.
• "Somebody call a policeman!" This refers to any policeman. We don't need a specific policeman; we need any policeman who is available.
• "When I was at the zoo, I saw an elephant!" Here, we're talking about a single, non-specific thing, in this case an elephant. There are probably several elephants at the zoo, but there's only one we're talking about here.

Remember, using a or an depends on the sound that begins the next word. So...

• a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a boy; a car; a bike; a zoo; a dog
• an + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an elephant; an egg; an apple; an idiot; an orphan
• a + singular noun beginning with a consonant sound: a user (sounds like 'yoo-zer,' i.e. begins with a consonant 'y' sound, so 'a' is used); a university; a unicycle
• In some cases where "h" is pronounced, such as "historical," use an:

An historical event is worth recording.

In writing, "a historical event" is more commonly used.

Remember that this rule also applies when you use acronyms:

Introductory Composition at Purdue (ICaP) handles first-year writing at the University. Therefore, an ICaP memo generally discusses issues concerning English 106 instructors.

Another case where this rule applies is when acronyms start with consonant letters but have vowel sounds:

An MSDS (material safety data sheet) was used to record the data. An SPCC plan (Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures plan) will help us prepare for the worst.

If the noun is modified by an adjective, the choice between a and an depends on the initial sound of the adjective that immediately follows the article:

• a broken egg
• an unusual problem
• a European country (sounds like 'yer-o-pi-an,' i.e. begins with consonant 'y' sound)

Remember, too, that in English, the indefinite articles are used to indicate membership in a group:

• I am a teacher. (I am a member of a large group known as teachers.)
• Brian is an Irishman. (Brian is a member of the people known as Irish.)
• Seiko is a practicing Buddhist. (Seiko is a member of the group of people known as Buddhists.)

Definite Article: the

The definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is specific or particular. The signals that the noun is definite, that it refers to a particular member of a group. For example:

"The dog that bit me ran away." Here, we're talking about a specific dog, the dog that bit me.

"I was happy to see the policeman who saved my cat!" Here, we're talking about a particular policeman. Even if we don't know the policeman's name, it's still a particular policeman because it is the one who saved the cat.

"I saw the elephant at the zoo." Here, we're talking about a specific noun. Probably there is only one elephant at the zoo.

Count and Noncount Nouns

The can be used with noncount nouns, or the article can be omitted entirely.

• "I love to sail over the water" (some specific body of water) or "I love to sail over water" (any water).
• "He spilled the milk all over the floor" (some specific milk, perhaps the milk you bought earlier that day) or "He spilled milk all over the floor" (any milk).

"A/an" can be used only with count nouns.

• "I need a bottle of water."
• "I need a new glass of milk."

Most of the time, you can't say, "She wants a water," unless you're implying, say, a bottle of water.

Geographical use of the

There are some specific rules for using the with geographical nouns.

Do not use the before:

• names of most countries/territories: Italy, Mexico, Bolivia; however, the Netherlands, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, the United States
• names of cities, towns, or states: Seoul, Manitoba, Miami
• names of streets: Washington Blvd., Main St.
• names of lakes and bays: Lake Titicaca, Lake Erie except with a group of lakes like the Great Lakes
• names of mountains: Mount Everest, Mount Fuji except with ranges of mountains like the Andes or the Rockies or unusual names like the Matterhorn
• names of continents (Asia, Europe)
• names of islands (Easter Island, Maui, Key West) except with island chains like the Aleutians, the Hebrides, or the Canary Islands

Do use the before:

• names of rivers, oceans and seas: the Nile, the Pacific
• points on the globe: the Equator, the North Pole
• geographical areas: the Middle East, the West
• deserts, forests, gulfs, and peninsulas: the Sahara, the Persian Gulf, the Black Forest, the Iberian Peninsula

Omission of Articles

Some common types of nouns that don't take an article are:

• Names of languages and nationalities: Chinese, English, Spanish, Russian
• Names of sports: volleyball, hockey, baseball
• Names of academic subjects: mathematics, biology, history, computer science

past tense questions

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Past tenses (English exercise n°5884 - Please quote this number when contacting us) Other English exercises on the same topic Past tenses Use the correct past tense. Advanced English exercise "Past tenses" created by bridg (23-01-2006) with The test builder Click here to see the current stats of this English test 1. As we were talking we (to be interrupted) by a phone call. 2. I (to start) learning Spanish... but I suddenly stopped 2 months ago. 3. (you / ever/ to be) to Scotland ? 4. They (to buy) a new car recently. 5. He seemed tired. He (to wander) in town all day. 6. No sooner (to wash + my mother) the windows than it started raining. 7. A huge amount of money (to be stolen) but the employees remained tight-lipped. 8. She (to work) there for 30 years until she retired. 9. Tom (not to do) the washing-up yet! You must do it! 10. John (just + to arrive) at home when it started raining.

LINKS

Best site for grammar--

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/601/02/

Using the correct sequence of tenses

Sometimes you combine parts of a sentence that are in different tenses - one part may be in the present tense and the other part may be in the future tense; for instance, like this one:

This sentence is fine - there’s a logical progression of tenses. The first part says what I am doing right now, the next part tells what I will be doing in the future. But there are tenses that you can’t combine. For instance:

I was running in the park, although it is snowing.

Whoa! Doesn’t quite sound right when you read it aloud. This is because there’s an error with the tenses - the main clause is in the past progressive tense - ‘was running’, but the dependent clause that comes after it is in the simple present tense - ‘it is snowing’.

Here are some tree diagrams that show you what tense combinations are acceptable. The tense on the left of the diagram is the tense of the main independent clause, and the tense options on the right are what you can use for the subordinate or dependent clauses in the sentence. An example sentence is given with each one.

One of the tricky tense things I’ve always had problems with is combining the simple past or progressive past with the present tense, like in this sentence.

You can do this when the present tense clause is saying something that is a general belief about something. Of course, you may disagree, but as long as it’s something that could be a general belief, it’s fine. Usually the ‘something’ that you’re describing is from the first part of the sentence and hasn’t changed significantly from the past until now. This sort of tense combination often comes up when you’re writing historical essays, and you’re talking about what the people of the time believed:

A few hundred years ago, people believed the world was flat, even though it is round.

Tenses

tense	Affirmative/Negative/Question	Use	Signal Words
Simple Present	A: He speaks. N: He does not speak. Q: Does he speak?	action in the present taking place once, never or several times facts actions taking place one after another action set by a timetable or schedule	always, every …, never, normally, often, seldom, sometimes, usually if sentences type I (If I talk, …)
Present Progressive	A: He is speaking. N: He is not speaking. Q: Is he speaking?	action taking place in the moment of speaking action taking place only for a limited period of time action arranged for the future	at the moment, just, just now, Listen!, Look!, now, right now
Simple Past	A: He spoke. N: He did not speak. Q: Did he speak?	action in the past taking place once, never or several times actions taking place one after another action taking place in the middle of another action	yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday if sentence type II (If I talked, …)
Past Progressive	A: He was speaking. N: He was not speaking. Q: Was he speaking?	action going on at a certain time in the past actions taking place at the same time action in the past that is interrupted by another action	when, while, as long as
Present Perfect Simple	A: He has spoken. N: He has not spoken. Q: Has he spoken?	putting emphasis on the result action that is still going on action that stopped recently finished action that has an influence on the present action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speaking	already, ever, just, never, not yet, so far, till now, up to now
Present Perfect Progressive	A: He has been speaking. N: He has not been speaking. Q: Has he been speaking?	putting emphasis on the course or duration (not the result) action that recently stopped or is still going on finished action that influenced the present	all day, for 4 years, since 1993, how long?, the whole week
Past Perfect Simple	A: He had spoken. N: He had not spoken. Q: Had he spoken?	action taking place before a certain time in the past sometimes interchangeable with past perfect progressive putting emphasis only on the fact (not the duration)	already, just, never, not yet, once, until that day if sentence type III (If I had talked, …)
Past Perfect Progressive	A: He had been speaking. N: He had not been speaking. Q: Had he been speaking?	action taking place before a certain time in the past sometimes interchangeable with past perfect simple putting emphasis on the duration or course of an action	for, since, the whole day, all day
Future I Simple	A: He will speak. N: He will not speak. Q: Will he speak?	action in the future that cannot be influenced spontaneous decision assumption with regard to the future	in a year, next …, tomorrow If-Satz Typ I (If you ask her, she will help you.) assumption: I think, probably, perhaps
Future I Simple (going to)	A: He is going to speak. N: He is not going to speak. Q: Is he going to speak?	decision made for the future conclusion with regard to the future	in one year, next week, tomorrow
Future I Progressive	A: He will be speaking. N: He will not be speaking. Q: Will he be speaking?	action that is going on at a certain time in the future action that is sure to happen in the near future	in one year, next week, tomorrow
Future II Simple	A: He will have spoken. N: He will not have spoken. Q: Will he have spoken?	action that will be finished at a certain time in the future	by Monday, in a week
Future II Progressive	A: He will have been speaking. N: He will not have been speaking. Q: Will he have been speaking?	action taking place before a certain time in the future putting emphasis on the course of an action	for …, the last couple of hours, all day long
Conditional I Simple	A: He would speak. N: He would not speak. Q: Would he speak?	action that might take place	if sentences type II (If I were you, I would go home.)
Conditional I Progressive	A: He would be speaking. N: He would not be speaking. Q: Would he be speaking?	action that might take place putting emphasis on the course / duration of the action
Conditional II Simple	A: He would have spoken. N: He would not have spoken. Q: Would he have spoken?	action that might have taken place in the past	if sentences type III (If I had seen that, I would have helped.)
Conditional II Progressive	A: He would have been speaking. N: He would not have been speaking. Q: Would he have been speaking?	action that might have taken place in the past puts emphasis on the course / duration of the action

Doubts not yet clarified

Doubts not yet clarified-

1. SC

Question of the Day (23-Apr-10)

Given below are 5 sentences. One or more of these sentences is grammatically, contextually incorrect or inappropriate. Select the option that indicates the total number of such sentences.

1. The resentments, grievances and national divisions would not have grown and multiplied if the preferences had been based on household income.
2. The hundreds of unsuccessful candidates would not fault their own inadequacies in an open system, but end up nursing grievances against the system and the polity in a quota based system.
3. It is an anomaly that in an assembly of leading powers, China and India, the countries with the largest economies of the world in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, are not represented.
4. I can hear the bass line of retro music pounding through the foundation and overpowering the strain of classical music.
5. It is impossible, Kant argues, to extend our currant knowledge to the realm of metaphysics- the characteristics of the human mind restrict us to the empirical realm of space and time.

OPTIONS
	1)	1
	2)	2
	3)	3
	4)	4
	5)	5

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Solution

In sentence 2, the comparison is not made between two similar entities. The statement can be repaired in two ways By removing not - "The hundreds of unsuccessful candidates would fault their own inadequacies in an open system, but end up nursing grievances against the system and the polity in a quota based system". By keeping the comparison of their own faults in both the parts of the sentence - "The hundreds of unsuccessful candidates would not fault their own inadequacies in an open system, but end up accepting the same in a quota based system" In sentence 5, current has been mis-spelled as currant which changes the meaning entirely and is contextually incorrect. 2 sentences have issues. Hence, the correct answer is option 2. Didn't get the explanation for sentence 2??

Doubts and clarifications

Correct Answer: C The group of children from that school has never seen the ocean.

Explanation: "Group" is a singular collective noun so takes a singular verb. With "has" or "have," use "seen," not "saw." "Never" could be considered part of the complete verb.

Your Answer: B The group of children from that school have never seen the ocean.

Capitalization

Table of Contents: Spacing With Punctuation Periods Ellipsis Marks Commas Semicolons Colons Question Marks Exclamation Points Quotation Marks Parentheses Apostrophes Hyphens Dashes Capitalization

Rule 1. Capitalize the first word of a quoted sentence. Examples: He said, "Treat her as you would your own daughter." "Look out!" she screamed. "You almost ran into my child."

Rule 2. Capitalize a proper noun. Example: Golden Gate Bridge

Rule 3. Capitalize a person's title when it precedes the name. Do not capitalize when the title is acting as a description following the name. Examples: Chairperson Petrov Ms. Petrov, the chairperson of the company, will address us at noon.

Rule 4. Capitalize the person's title when it follows the name on the address or signature line. Example: Sincerely, Ms. Haines, Chairperson

Rule 5. Capitalize the titles of high-ranking government officials when used before their names. Do not capitalize the civil title if it is used instead of the name. Examples: The president will address Congress. All senators are expected to attend. The governors, lieutenant governors, and attorneys general called for a special task force. Governor Fortinbrass, Lieutenant Governor Poppins, Attorney General Dalloway, and Senators James and Twain will attend.

Rule 6. Capitalize any title when used as a direct address. Example: Will you take my temperature, Doctor?

Rule 7. Capitalize points of the compass only when they refer to specific regions. Examples: We have had three relatives visit from the South. Go south three blocks and then turn left. We live in the southeast section of town. Southeast is just an adjective here describing section, so it should not be capitalized.

Rule 8. Always capitalize the first and last words of titles of publications regardless of their parts of speech. Capitalize other words within titles, including the short verb forms Is, Are, and Be. Exception: Do not capitalize little words within titles such as a, an, the, but, as, if, and, or, nor, or prepositions, regardless of their length. Examples: The Day of the Jackal What Color Is Your Parachute? A Tale of Two Cities

Rule 9. Capitalize federal or state when used as part of an official agency name or in government documents where these terms represent an official name. If they are being used as general terms, you may use lowercase letters. Examples: The state has evidence to the contrary. That is a federal offense. The State Board of Equalization collects sales taxes. We will visit three states during our summer vacation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been subject to much scrutiny and criticism lately. Her business must comply with all county, state, and federal laws.

Rule 10. You may capitalize words such as department, bureau, and office if you have prepared your text in the following way: Example: The Bureau of Land Management (Bureau) has some jurisdiction over Indian lands. The Bureau is finding its administrative role to be challenging.

Rule 11. Do not capitalize names of seasons. Example: I love autumn colors and spring flowers.

Rule 12. Capitalize the first word of a salutation and the first word of a complimentary close. Examples: Dear Ms. Mohamed: My dear Mr. Sanchez: Very truly yours,

Rule 13. Capitalize words derived from proper nouns. Example: I must take English and math. English is capitalized because it comes from the proper noun England, but math does not come from Mathland.

Rule 14. Capitalize the names of specific course titles. Example: I must take history and Algebra 2.

Rule 15. After a sentence ending with a colon, do not capitalize the first word if it begins a list. Example: These are my favorite foods: chocolate cake, spaghetti, and artichokes.

Rule 16. Do not capitalize when only one sentence follows a sentence ending with a colon. Example: I love Jane Smiley's writing: her book, A Thousand Acres, was beautiful.

Rule 17.	Capitalize when two or more sentences follow a sentence ending with a colon.
	Example:	I love Jane Smiley's writing: Her book, A Thousand Acres, was beautiful. Also, Moo was clever.

Writing Numbers

Rule 1. Spell out single-digit whole numbers. Use numerals for numbers greater than nine. Correct Examples: I want five copies. I want 10 copies.

Rule 2. Be consistent within a category. For example, if you choose numerals because one of the numbers is greater than nine, use numerals for all numbers in that category. If you choose to spell out numbers because one of the numbers is a single digit, spell out all numbers in that category. If you have numbers in different categories, use numerals for one category and spell out the other. Correct Examples: My 10 cats fought with their 2 cats. My ten cats fought with their two cats. Given the budget constraints, if all 30 history students attend the four plays, then the 7 math students will be able to attend only two plays. (Students are represented with figures; plays are represented with words.) Incorrect Example: I asked for five pencils, not 50.

Rule 3. Always spell out simple fractions and use hyphens with them. Examples: One-half of the pies have been eaten. A two-thirds majority is required for that bill to pass in Congress.

Rule 4. A mixed fraction can be expressed in figures unless it is the first word of a sentence. Examples: We expect a 5 1/2 percent wage increase. Five and one-half percent was the maximum allowable interest.

Rule 5. The simplest way to express large numbers is best. Round numbers are usually spelled out. Be careful to be consistent within a sentence. Correct: You can earn from one million to five million dollars. Incorrect: You can earn from one million to $5,000,000. Correct: You can earn from five hundred to five million dollars. Correct: You can earn from $5 hundred to $5 million. Incorrect: You can earn from $500 to $5 million. Incorrect: You can earn from $500 to five million dollars.

Rule 6. Write decimals in figures. Put a zero in front of a decimal unless the decimal itself begins with a zero. Examples: The plant grew 0.79 of a foot in one year. The plant grew only .07 of a foot this year because of the drought.

Rule 7. With numbers that have decimal points, use a comma only when the number has five or more digits before the decimal point. Place the comma in front of the third digit to the left of the decimal point. When writing out such numbers, use the comma where it would appear in the figure format. Use the word and where the decimal point appears in the figure format. Examples: Examples: $15,768.13: Fifteen thousand, seven hundred sixty-eight dollars and thirteen cents $1054.21: One thousand fifty-four dollars and twenty-one cents Note: If the number has no decimal point, authorities disagree on whether to begin using the comma with four-digit numbers or to begin using the comma with five-digit numbers. When writing out these numbers, I recommend using the comma where it appears in the numerical form. 1,054 schools OR 1054 schools: one thousand, fifty-four schools OR one thousand fifty-four schools 12,154 schools: twelve thousand, one hundred fifty-four schools

Rule 8. The following examples apply when using dates: Examples: The meeting is scheduled for June 30. The meeting is scheduled for the 30th of June. We have had tricks played on us on April 1. The 1st of April puts some people on edge.

Rule 9. When expressing decades, you may spell them out and lowercase them. Example: During the eighties and nineties, the U.S. economy grew.

Rule 10. If you wish to express decades using incomplete numerals, put an apostrophe before the incomplete numeral but not between the year and the s. Correct: During the '80s and '90s, the U.S. economy grew. Incorrect: During the '80's and '90's, the U.S. economy grew.

Rule 11. You may also express decades in complete numerals. Again, don't use an apostrophe between the year and the s. Example: During the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S. economy grew.

Rule 12. Normally, spell out the time of day in text even with half and quarter hours. With o'clock, the number is always spelled out. Examples: She gets up at four thirty before the baby wakes up. The baby wakes up at five o'clock in the morning.

Rule 13. Use numerals with the time of day when exact times are being emphasized or when using A.M. or P.M. Examples: Monib's flight leaves at 6:22 A.M. Please arrive by 12:30 sharp. She had a 7:00 P.M. deadline.

Rule 14. Use noon and midnight rather than 12:00 P.M. and 12:00 A.M.

Rule 15. Hyphenate all compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine. Examples: Forty-three persons were injured in the train wreck. Twenty-three of them were hospitalized.

Rule 16.	Write out a number if it begins a sentence.
	Examples:	Twenty-nine people won an award for helping their communities. That 29 people won an award for helping their communities was fantastic! OR That twenty-nine people won an award for helping their communities was fantastic!

Spelling, Vocabulary, and Confusing Words

Page 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

Because many words in English sound or look alike, frequently causing confusion, this list will be very helpful.

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a vs. an	Rule. Use a when the first letter of the word following has the sound of a consonant. Keep in mind that some vowels sound like consonants when they’re sounded out as individual letters. Examples: a finger a hotel a U-turn (pronounced You-turn) a HUD program a NASA study Rule. Use an when the first letter of the word following has the sound of a vowel. Remember that some consonants sound like vowels when they’re spoken as individual letters. Examples: an FBI case (F is pronounced ef here) an honor (H is silent here) an unusual idea an HMO plan (H is pronounced aitch here) an NAACP convention (N is pronounced en here) Deciding whether to use a or an before abbreviations can be tricky. The abbreviation for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) causes confusion because it can be pronounced as a word (fak), or one letter at a time (F-A-Q). Using the guidelines above, one would say a FAQ when it is pronounced as one word, and an FAQ when it is pronounced one letter at a time.
accept except	to agree; to receive but, with the exception that
ad add	advertisement to perform addition
ades aides AIDS aids	fruit drinks people who help; assistants acronym for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome helps, assists
adverse averse	unfortunate; strongly opposed (refers to things, not people) Examples: an adverse reaction to the medication adverse weather conditions having repugnance (refers to people) Example: He is averse to a military draft.
advice (noun) advise (verb)	recommendation the act of giving a recommendation
affect vs. effect	Rule 1. Use effect when you mean bring about or brought about, cause or caused. Example: He effected a commotion in the crowd. Meaning: He caused a commotion in the crowd. Rule 2. Use effect when you mean result. Example: What effect did that speech have? Rule 3. Also use effect whenever any of these words precede it: a, an, any, the, take, into, no. These words may be separated from effect by an adjective. Examples: That book had a long-lasting effect on my thinking. Has the medicine produced any noticeable effects? Rule 4. Use the verb affect when you mean to influence rather than to cause. Example: How do the budget cuts affect your staffing? Rule 5. Affect is used as a noun to mean emotional expression. Example: She showed little affect when told she had won the lottery.
ail ale	to be ill; to cause pain or distress malt beverage more bitter than beer
air err heir	what we breathe make a mistake one who inherits something
aisle I’ll isle	passageway contraction for I will a small island
all awl	entire, everything a tool
allot a lot	to parcel out always two words meaning many
allowed aloud	gave permission to said out loud; spoken
all ready already	means all are ready Example: We are all ready to go. refers to time Example: Is it summer already?
all together altogether	refers to a group; all of us or all of them together Example: It is wonderful to be all together to celebrate your birthday. entirely Example: It is not altogether his fault.
altar alter	pedestal, usually religious Example: They exchanged wedding vows at the altar of the church. to modify Example: Please don't alter your plans until we have the final schedule approved.
allude elude illude	to refer indirectly Example: He alluded to his past as a spy. avoid capture Example: The fugitive eluded the police for a month. mislead Example: He illuded her about his age.
allusion illusion	an indirect mention of something false perception
ambiguous ambivalent	to have more than one meaning Example: The law was ambiguous. to have mixed feelings Example: She is ambivalent about her wedding dress.
amicable amiable	friendly (refers to things, not people) friendly (refers to people) Example: The amiable couple had an amicable divorce.
among between	involves three or more Example: Who among us has not lied? involves just two Example: She couldn’t decide between Chinese and Thai food.
amount number	used for things not countable Example: We couldn't handle that amount of ill will. used for things that can be counted Example: The number of accidents increased by ten percent.
ant aunt	a bug the sister of a parent
ante auntie	a bet placed before playing affectionate term for a parent’s sister
anxious eager	to have anxiety or worry Example: She is anxious about taking the test. excited Example: She is eager to get a puppy.
any more anymore	something additional or further Example: It didn’t rain any more this year than last year. any longer, nowadays Example: Harry doesn’t travel anymore.
appraise apprise	to put a value on something to notify
arc ark	arch, crescent, half moon a vessel or a refuge
ascent (noun) assent (noun or verb) consent	movement upward enthusiastic agreement; to agree agreement
assistance (noun) assistants (noun)	help people who help
assumption presumption	an idea not based on evidence an idea based on evidence
assure ensure insure	to promise or say with confidence to make sure something will/won't happen to issue an insurance policy
ate eight	past tense of eat the number after seven
aural oral	having to do with hearing having to do with the mouth
averse	(see adverse)
awed odd	in a state of amazement unusual; opposite of even when referring to numbers
aye eye I	yes organ one sees with pronoun
bald bawled	having no hair cried
ball bawl	a sphere to cry or wail loudly
band banned	a group, sometimes a group of musicians forbidden
bare bear	naked, unconcealed, plain the animal
base bass	the bottom; vulgar; headquarters (singular) low vocal or instrumental range (pronounced like lace); a type of fish (pronounced like lass)
based baste	be dependent or supported to moisten; to criticize or lash out at
bases (noun, verb) basis (noun)	headquarters (plural of base); builds on foundation; belief
be bee	to exist or live insect
beach beech	sandy area with water type of tree with smooth, gray bark
beat beet	to strike violently; to flutter or flap; to pound as with a drum; to defeat; to stir vigorously a plant with a fleshy red or white root
beau bough (noun) bow (noun) bow (noun, verb)	boyfriend (pronounced like owe) branch of a tree (pronounced like cow) part of a set with arrows (pronounced like owe) boat front, a male's form of curtsy, bending at the waist; comply (pronounced like cow)
because vs. since	Rule. Because and since can be used almost interchangeably although because always indicates cause and effect and since is used for a relationship or time. Example: Since I have some extra money, I will buy shoes. (not cause and effect) Example: I will go to the game because my daughter is on the team. (cause and effect) Example: I have wanted to talk to you since yesterday. (time)
been bin	form of be used with has or have container
bell belle	chime or alarm; a signal beautiful or charming woman
berth birth	a boat dock; bedroom or bed being born; beginning
better bettor	of higher quality someone who places bets
between	(see among)
biannual biennial semiannual	twice a year every two years twice a year (same as biannual)
bite byte	to use one’s teeth to tear food computer term for eight bits of information
billed build	charged a fee construct
blew blue	past tense of blow the color
bloc block	a group united for a particular purpose city street; a cube-shaped object
boar bore	male pig someone or something not interesting
board bored	piece of wood; a group of people uninterested
boarder border	someone who pays for room and food perimeter; boundary
bode bowed	predict bent (pronounced like owed)
bold bowled	daring to have gone bowling; knocked over
bolder boulder	more daring a large rock
boos booze	sounds made by disapproving audience alcohol
bough	(see beau)
bow	(see beau)
boy buoy	male child a naval beacon or marker
brake break	stop separate into pieces
bread bred	a food; slang for money past tense of breed; raised
brewed brood (verb, noun)	fermented mull over; a cluster or family
brews bruise	ferments a black-and-blue mark, contusion
bridal bridle	relating to brides a harness, usually for a horse
bring take	you bring something towards you take something away
broach brooch	to raise a topic a bauble; a piece of jewelry
brows browse	the hairs in the arch above the eyes search for, peruse
but butt (noun/verb)	except bottom; joke object; to ram
buy by bye	purchase, acquire near, next to short for goodbye
cache cash	hidden stash money
calendar colander	chart of days and months sieve to drain off liquids
can may	able to permission to
cannon canon	large, mounted gun rule, commandment
canvas canvass	awning cloth, tarp to poll; a poll
capital capitol	assets; essential; main city statehouse
carat caret carrot karat	unit of weight in gemstones a proofreading mark to show insertion (^) edible root a unit for measuring the fineness of gold
cast (noun, verb) caste	group of actors; to throw a social class, a rigid system of social distinctions
cay key quay	a small, low island (also spelled key) a small, low island; instrument for opening locks (pronounced key) wharf, dock, pier
cede seed	to surrender reproductive germ
cell sell	prison room; basic structural unit of an organism to exchange for money
censor (verb, noun) censure sensor	disallow; person who disallows Example: The soldier's letters were censored before mailing. to disapprove of; criticize strongly Example: The children were censured by the principal. a device that measures heat, light, etc. and transmits a signal to a control or measuring instrument
cent scent sent	a penny a smell, aroma transmitted
cereal serial	breakfast food a series or array
chance chants	accident(al) chorus, melody
chased chaste	went after pure, virginal
chews choose	how one eats food with teeth to pick
childish childlike	immature innocent
Chile chili chilly	a country in South America a type of pepper; a dish with peppers in it cold, brisk
choral coral chorale corral	a cappella, singing without instruments material that makes up reefs; orange color a hymn, a choir horse pen
chord cord cored	three or more musical tones sounded simultaneously; line segment joining two points on a curve a rope or strand of flexible material removed the center of something
chute shoot (verb, noun)	an inclined shaft to discharge from a weapon; a stem
cite sight site	to assert; to quote from; to subpoena vision, the power to see a location or position
classic classical	important; fundamental having to do with Greek or Roman antiquity; pertaining to eighteenth-to nineteenth-century music
clause claws	in grammar, a group of words containing a subject and verb; part of a contract an animal’s nails
click clique	a sound a group
climactic climatic	having to do with the climax having to do with the climate
close (verb, adjective) clothes	to shut (pronounced like rose); nearby (pronounced like dose) apparel
coarse course	rough, lacking in fineness of texture; crude a class; a path
colander	(see calendar)
colonel kernel	an officer in the military a seed
complement compliment	completing part of an order praise
confidant confident	someone confided in certain, sure
connote denote	to suggest, imply Example: A growling dog connotes danger. to be a sign of Example: Certain clouds denote rain on the way.
consent	(see assent)
continual continuous	repeated but with breaks in between; chronic Example: The continual problem of our car not starting forced us to sell it. without interruption in an unbroken stream of time or space Example: The continuous dripping of the faucet drove me crazy.
core corps corpse	center or crucial part trained group dead body
cosign cosine	to sign along with a trigonometry term
council counsel (verb, noun)	a group of people meeting for a purpose advise; advice, an attorney
creak creek	a sound a stream
crews cruise	many groups a trip or vacation by sea
criteria criterion	plural of criterion a standard for evaluating or testing something
cue queue	a hint; a stimulus a line of people waiting
currant current	type of small berry up to date
curser cursor	someone who swears or wishes misfortune on another a blinking symbol indicating position on a computer screen Spelling, Vocabulary, and Confusing Words Page 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 dam damn a barrier obstructing the flow of liquid a swear word or curse dammed damned blocked from flowing doomed days daze twenty-four-hour periods of time to stun or overwhelm dear deer affectionate term the animal denote (see connote) desert (noun, verb) dessert a desolate area; to abandon extra s for sugary treat desperate disparate lost all hope, in despair entirely dissimilar device (noun) devise (verb) an invention to invent dew do due condensation in the morning to take action owed by a certain date die dye to cease to live; the singular of dice to stain or color using an agent different from vs. different than vs. differently than Rule. Use different from not different than. Example: The weather was different from what we expected. You may use differently than when a clause precedes and follows the expression. Example: He works differently than she does. discreet discrete careful, confidential individual, distinct discussed disgust talked over repulsion does does female deer (plural) (pronounced like hose) a form of to do (pronounced like fuzz) doughs doze unbaked loaves of bread to sleep dual duel two-fold fight eager (see anxious) effect (see affect) e.g. i.e. for example Example: My living expenses have increased, e.g., rent, food, and utilities. that is, in other words Example: My living expenses have drained my finances, i.e., I have less money in the bank at the end of every month. eight (see ate) elicit illicit evoke, extract, draw out illegal elude (see allude) elusive illusive difficult to describe, evasive Example: The point of the novel is elusive to me. plausible or possible; deceptive Example: She had the illusive dream of finding happiness by traveling. (plausible, possible) Example: She had an illusive idea that she was qualified for the job. (deceptive, delusional) emigrate immigrate to exit one country in order to live in another country to enter a new country to live empathy sympathy to understand another's feelings to feel compassion or sadness for another ensure (see assure) epic epoch saga a period of time, an age err (see air) every day (every, adjective; day, noun) everyday (adjective) each day Example: I learn something new every day. ordinary Example: These are my everyday clothes. except (see accept) eye (see aye) facts fax objective data short for facsimile; technology that sends images by phone faint feint to go unconscious pretense fair (adjective, noun) fare impartial; an exhibition payment or expense for travel fairy ferry imaginary being possessing magical powers type of boat farther refers to physical distance only Example: We had to walk farther than the map indicated. further (adverb, adj.) refers to physical distance like farther; moreover; in addition; to a greater extent Examples: We need to discuss this further. Nothing could be further from the truth. We had to walk further. further (verb) To help forward, advance, or promote a work, undertaking, cause, etc. Example: Elisa had more desire to further her own interests than to further the mission of the organization. faux foe fake, imitation enemy, opponent faze phase to perturb or fluster a period or situation feat feet an extraordinary act or accomplishment twelve-inch increments; appendages at end of legs feted fetid celebrated, honored noxious, gross fewer less under refers to a number that can be counted Example: Fewer days off. refers to an uncountable amount Example: Less rain, less fear. used for direction Example: Under the mattress, not under $100. find fined discover penalized fir fur type of tree hairy coat of an animal flair flare style erupt flea flee insect to run away flew flu flue past tense of fly, to have moved through the air with wings a virus part of a chimney floe flow sheet of floating ice pour, proceed, spew flour flower grain the bloom of a plant for fore four preposition ahead the number after three forego forgo to go in front of, precede to do without foreword forward introduction to a book written by someone other than the author opposite of backward fort forte a military fortification someone’s strong point, talent forth fourth forward number after third foul fowl offensive, disgusting certain birds frees freeze frieze releases to make cold a decorative band on the wall further (see farther) gait gate a manner of walking or stepping, stride Examples: trotting, galloping, limping barrier gilt guilt gold-covered blame gone went used with has or have Examples: Ella has gone to the store. Barry and Ella have gone to the beach. past tense of go Examples: Ella went to the store. Barry and Ella went to the beach. gored gourd stabbed with a horn or tusk hard-shelled fruit gorilla guerrilla largest of the apes soldier using surprise raids; irregular tactics graft graphed attach; acquisition of money dishonestly diagrammed grate great a cover or partition of parallel or crossed bars excellent grill grille method of cooking; barbecuing an openwork barrier for a gate groan grown a low, mournful sound of pain or grief to have increased in size guessed guest conjectured, offered an opinion company, honoree guise guys appearance or assumed appearance men hair hare what grows on one’s head and body rabbit hall haul passageway or large room to pull, drag, or lower halve have divide into two to possess hangar hanger shed or shelter for housing airplanes something to hang a garment on in the closet haut/haute hoe high-class, fancy as in haute couture (pronounced oh or oht) flat-bladed gardening tool have vs. of should’ve, could’ve, and would’ve are contractions for should have, could have, and would have. No such wording as should of, could of, would of hay hey dried grass interjection used to call attention heal heel to alleviate or cure back part of the foot; scoundrel healthful healthy something that promotes health Example: Organic food is thought to be healthful. to have good health hear here to listen; to give an official hearing in this spot heard herd listened a flock of animals heir (see air) heroin heroine a narcotic derived from morphine female admired for courage or ability hi high a greeting, informal for hello elevated higher hire more elevated to pay for services him hymn pronoun referring to male person or animal song in praise of religious deity hoard horde stockpile, amass a large group, crowd hoarse horse cracked voice animal hoes hose flat-bladed gardening tools a flexible tube for conveying liquid hole whole an opening entire, complete holy wholly religious entirely, completely hostel hostile boarding house or inexpensive lodging antagonistic hour our sixty minutes possessive pronoun I (see aye) idle idol idyll or idyl not active; unemployed someone admired interlude, breathing space; romance, fairy tale i.e. (see e.g.) I'll (see aisle) illicit (see elicit) illude (see allude) illusion (see allusion) illusive (see elusive) immigrate (see emigrate) imply infer to indicate without being explicit to conclude from evidence in inn preposition; inside small hotel inc. ink abbreviation for incorporated fluid in pens incite insight to prompt to action understanding, comprehension incredible incredulous astonishing Example: Her gymnastic moves were incredible. skeptical Example: Citizens are incredulous about the reason for the increase in the price of gas. ingenious ingenuous clever naive or simple innocence innocents to be without guilt people who are without guilt insure (see assure) irregardless regardless no such word exists in spite of, without regard isle (see aisle) it's its contraction for it is or it has Example: It’s for a good cause. possessive pronoun Example: The cat hurt its paw. jewel joule gem in physics, a unit of work or energy karat (see carat) kernel (see colonel) key (see cay) knead kneed need work with bread dough hit with one’s knee to require knew new past tense of know, to have understood opposite of old knight night a soldier in the Middle Ages period between sunset and sunrise knot not interlacing of cord or rope used to express negation know no understand, comprehend a negative to express dissent knows nose understands part of the body one smells with Spelling, Vocabulary, and Confusing Words Page 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 lacks lax is deficient in slack, easy-going ladder latter the thing with rungs that you climb the second of two Example: If given a choice between vanilla and chocolate ice cream, I'll take the latter. lain lane past participle of lie as in lie down narrow road or passage lay vs. lie lay vs. lie chart Present Past Participle (A Form of Have) To recline lie, lying lay has/have/had lain To put or place (verb followed by an object) lay, laying laid has/have/had laid To tell a falsehood lie, lying lied has/have/had lied Examples in the Present Tense: I like to lie down for a nap at 2:00 p.m. I am lying down for a nap today. The hens lay eggs. The hen is laying eggs. I am tempted to lie about my age. I am not lying about my age. Examples in the Past Tense: I lay down for a nap yesterday at 2:00 p.m. The hen laid two eggs yesterday. He lied on the witness stand. Examples with a Participle (has, have): I have lain down for a nap every day this week. The hen has laid two eggs every day this week. He has lied each day on the witness stand. lead led a metal element (pronounced like red); present tense of led (pronounced like seed) guided, past tense of to lead leak leek unintended discharge of liquid or gas type of onion lean (adjective, verb) lien not fatty; to incline a claim on property to secure debt payment leased least rented smallest in size or amount less (see fewer) lessen lesson to make less a unit to be learned or studied lie lye a falsehood; present tense of lie down (see lay vs. lie chart above) a caustic substance lightening lightning to make lighter a brilliant electric spark in the sky loan lone something lent for temporary use only, solitary loose lose opposite of tight opposite of win; misplace Mach mock (adjective, verb) ratio with the speed of sound: Mach 1 = the speed of sound Mach 2 = twice the speed of sound artificial; ridicule made maid created cleaning lady mail male correspondence masculine; opposite of female main mane primary, chief, leading long hair on the back of a horse or lion maize maze corn labyrinth mall maul plaza, focal point abuse, claw manner manor behavior palatial residence marquee marquis canopy, shelter; projection over a theater entrance aristocrat, nobleman marry merry to wed cheerful marshal (verb, noun) martial assemble; a judge militant, aggressive may (see can) meat meet (verb, noun) mete animal flesh used for food to connect, touch; an event administer, allot medal meddle decoration, badge to interfere unwantedly metal mettle earth element boldness mind (noun, verb) mined intelligence; obey excavated to extract ores miner minor (noun, adjective) one who excavates to extract ores someone under legal age; small missed mist failed to hit fog, fine spray moan mown lament; sound of suffering cut grass mode mowed method, manner to have cut grass mood mooed an emotional state the sound a cow made moose mousse an animal type of dessert morning mourning start of the day, between night and afternoon sorrow over someone’s death muscle mussel fibrous tissue edible marine bivalve mustard mustered yellow condiment assembled, gathered naval navel pertaining to ships belly button, umbilicus need (see knead) new (see knew) night (see knight) no (see know) none nun not one, not any female member of a religious order nose (see knows) not (see knot) number (see amount) oar or ore a blade for rowing conjunction metal-bearing mineral or rock odd (see awed) of (see have) on to vs. onto Use onto if you can add up before on. Examples: He climbed (up) onto the roof. She held on to her child in the crowd. one won single unit past tense of win oral (see aural) ordinance ordnance a law military weapons and ammunition our (see hour) overdo overdue to do to excess past due packed pact past tense of pack an agreement or treaty pail pale bucket lacking color pain pane physical or emotional suffering a plate of glass or panel pair pare pear two of something to remove or peel type of fruit palate pallet palette roof of the mouth; taste a low, portable platform a range of colors; a board to hold and mix colors passed past past tense of pass the time before the present patience patients willingness to wait people under medical care pause paws a temporary stop animal feet peace piece calm a portion of something peak peek pique top of a mountain glance furtively to wound someone’s pride or to excite interest pealed peeled rang bells removed a layer pedal peddle foot-operated lever to sell, hawk, or dispense peer pier person who is an equal a structure extending out over water perpetrate perpetuate to commit, as in a crime to prolong or sustain Example: The myth that the sun revolved around the earth was perpetuated for centuries. phase (see faze) pi pie 3.1416, the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter baked food filled with fruit or meat pistil pistol female organ of a flower type of gun plain (adjective, noun) plane not fancy; evident; simple; treeless area of land a flat or level surface; short for airplane pleas please cries for help; appeals a polite word; to satisfy plum plumb a type of fruit perpendicular pole poll a long, cylindrical piece of wood or metal a collection of opinions; survey pore pour small hole to send liquid flowing praise prays preys express approval makes requests to God hunts for food; victimizes precedence precedents presidents priority examples, criteria chief executives presence presents (noun, verb) appearance, being present gifts; offers presumption (see assumption) pries prize looks closely; wedges open award or reward principal (noun, adjective) principle head of school; chief; of first importance fundamental belief profit prophet gain predictor, seer pros prose professionals, experts literature quarts quartz units of liquid measure (four quarts to a gallon) a mineral quay (see cay) queue (see cue) rain reign rein water that falls in drops from the sky rule, administration bit, harness raise raze lift up flatten, tear down completely rap (noun, verb) wrap a type of music; to strike sharply to enclose in a covering rapped rapt wrapped struck sharply fascinated enclosed in a covering read red present and past tenses of to comprehend writing a color real reel actual, authentic stumble, falter recede reseed to move back, withdraw to seed again reek wreak to smell bad to cause trouble wreak havoc regardless (see irregardless) rest wrest relax take from retch wretch vomit lowly being, scoundrel review revue survey a satirical show right rite write correct; opposite of left ritual, ceremony to compose letters or words ring wring sound of a bell; jewelry worn around a finger to twist road rode rowed street, path, highway past tense of ride past tense of row roe row fish eggs aisle (pronounced like oh); propel with an oar (pronounced like oh); fight (pronounced like wow) role roll (noun, verb) part in a play or film a bun; to rotate roomer rumor one who rents a room innuendo, gossip root rout route base of a plant defeat (pronounced rowt) path (pronounced like root or rowt) rot wrought decay, decompose accomplished rote wrote by memory, formula past tense of write rude rued impolite, unmannerly regretted, repented rye wry seed from a grain mocking, ironic, droll Spelling, Vocabulary, and Confusing Words Page 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 sacks sax large bags saxophone saver savor one who saves to appreciate a taste scene seen a view, a setting to have viewed with eyes scent (see cent) sea see a body of salt water to view with eyes seam seem line formed by pieces of fabric sewn together appear sear seer sere scorch, burn, or char one who sees (as in the future) withered, dry seas sees seize bodies of salt water views with eyes to grab hold of seed (see cede) sell (see cell) semiannual (see biannual) sensor (see censor) sent (see cent) serf surf (noun, verb) slave breaking waves; to ride a surfboard serial (see cereal) set sit one sets a thing Example: Please set the table. one sits oneself Example: Please sit down at the table. sew so sow to stitch in the manner indicated to scatter or plant seed sewer suer a conduit for carrying off waste one who sues shear sheer to cut transparent shoe shoo foot attire interjection used to scare away an animal shoot (see chute) sic sick a Latin term used to indicate that something written is intentionally left in the original form, which may be incorrect. Example: She wrote, "They made there [sic] beds." ill sics six attacks a number sight (see cite) sign sine an indication a trigonometry term since see because sink synch or sync to submerge; to descend to a lower level; where you wash dirty clothes to synchronize, to coincide or match up site (see cite) slay sleigh kill snow vehicle, sled sleight slight cunning, skill slender, of little substance slew slough past tense of slay swamp (pronounced slew or slau) soar sore to fly at great height in pain soared sword flew at great height a bladed weapon sole soul bottom of foot; lone the spiritual part of humans some sum a certain unspecified number the total from adding numbers son sun male offspring star that is the central body of the solar system sonny sunny diminutive of son lit or warmed by the sun; cheerful spade spayed digging tool to have removed the ovaries of an animal staid stayed solemn, serious remained, waited stair stare step to look without blinking stake steak a pole cut of meat stationary stationery in one place writing paper steal steel (noun, adjective) rob iron alloy; determined step (verb, noun) steppe moving by lifting the foot; degree vast grasslands stile style turnstile, passageway fashion straight strait not curved or bent narrow passage of water connecting two bodies of water succor sucker relief, assistance fool suede swayed leather finished with a soft, napped surface past tense of sway; persuaded suite sweet a connected series of rooms opposite of sour summary summery an abstract or brief account of the summer sundae Sunday ice cream with syrup day of the week sympathy (see empathy) tacks tax short nails percent of earnings paid to the government tail tale hindmost animal appendage story take (see bring) tare tear (verb) allowance for the weight of packaging rip, pull apart taught taut past tense of teach tightly stretched tea tee a beverage a peg from which a golf ball is hit team teem group playing on the same side in a game swarm tear (noun) tier salt water coming from eyes when sad (pronounced like ear) a row or layer tense tents nervous strain portable shelters used for camping than then used for comparison indicates time, answers when their there they're possessive pronoun location contraction for they are threw through past tense of throw in one end and out the other throes throws agonizing struggles tosses, hurls throne thrown royal seat or office was tossed thyme time herb of the mint family past, present, future sequences of events ticks tics parasites; sounds of a clock facial twitches tide tied ebb and flow of the ocean past tense of tie to too two in the direction of, toward; used with the infinitive form of verbs (to go, to run, to hit) also, to an extensive degree Example: It is too hot to jog. the number after one toad toed towed similar to a frog having a toe pulled, hauled told tolled said sounded a bell tort torte a breach of contract a rich cake made with little or no flour tracked tract followed an extended area of land; a political or religious pamphlet troop troupe a body of soldiers a group of traveling performers vain vane vein excessively concerned about one’s appearance a blade moved by wind as in weather vane blood vessel vary very to change or alter extremely verses versus lines of poetry as compared to another choice; against vial vile small container for holding liquids repulsive, depraved vice vise bad habit; immoral practice device used to hold an object firmly wade weighed to walk through water to have put on a scale wail whale mournful cry marine mammal waist waste narrowest part of the human torso (usually) to squander or spend uselessly wait weight to be available or ready quantity of heaviness or mass waiver waver a relinquishment of some right to feel indecisive; vary warn worn to notify carried on the body; deteriorated warrantee warranty person who is given a written guarantee written guarantee way weigh direction to measure mass weak week lacking strength seven days starting with Sunday wear where to carry on the body in what place? weather whether state of the atmosphere in a location if weave we've to interlace thread or yarn to make a fabric contraction for we have went (see gone) were we're past tense of are contraction for we are wheeled wield moved on wheels to exercise power; to handle a weapon effectively which witch what one? sorceress while wile during or in the time that a trick to fool, trap, or entice whine wine complaining cry fermented grape juice that becomes an alcoholic beverage whined wind wined past tense of whine, complained what one does to keep a watch ticking on time (pronounced like kind); air current (pronounced like sinned) to supply with wine whirled world whorled spun rapidly planet Earth shaped like a coil whole (see hole) wholly (see holy) who's whose contraction for who is Example: Who’s at the door? possessive case of who Example: Whose coat is this? won (see one) wont (adjective, noun) won't accustomed; habit contraction for will not wood would tree trunk material expressing an intention Example: I would if I could. wrap (see rap) wrapped (see rapt) wreak (see reek) wrest (see rest) wretch (see retch) wring (see ring) write (see right) wrote (see rote) wrought (see rot) wry (see rye) yoke yolk harness for oxen yellow center of an egg yore you're your long past contraction for you are possessive pronoun