Affect or Effect?

Affect is a verb meaning "to influence or alter." Effect is usually a noun, with many meanings. Effect can be used as a verb when it means "to cause or bring about." If you need a noun, use effect. I think the special effects will affect her opinion of the film. But will it effect a change in her movie review?

Assure, Ensure, or Insure?

Assure means "to give confidence to" or "to convince." Ensure means "to make safe or guarantee." Insure means "to get insurance for." I want to assure you that if you insure your car, I will ensure that we pay your claim quickly.

e.g. or i.e.?

E.g. means "for example." I.e. means "that is" or "in other words." If you are illustrating your point, use e.g. If you are rephrasing your point, use i.e. The child loved his toys (e.g., his blocks, teddy bear, and truck), but was not interested in games (i.e., he didn't like playing tag or hide-and-seek with other children).

It's or Its?

Its is the possessive pronoun. It's is the contraction meaning "it is." It's not a good idea to judge a book by its cover.

Good or Well?

Good is an adjective, so it describes nouns. Well is an adverb, so it describe verbs and adjectives. I feel well because I got a good night's sleep.

Toward or Towards?

Use toward. Towards is the British usage. Please walk toward me. (FYI, the same goes for forward and backward.)

Want More?

Order "150 Commonly Confused Words and How to Pick the Right Ones." When you use the wrong words, your readers will assume, rightly or wrongly, that you aren't well educated or are just plain sloppy. For just $9.00, our Tip Sheet will help you always select the right word. Our Tip Sheet Covers scores of confusing word pairs, like among and between, anybody and any body, because and since, conscience and conscious, fewer and less, than and then, that and which, who and whom, and many more Includes verbs with confusing past tenses, like lay and lie and sit and set Includes homonyms, like to, too, and two Provides easy-to-understand definitions Uses the words in sample sentences so you can see how to use them correctly Explains why words with apostrophes are so confusing

Please Note: All tip sheets are delivered electronically as PDF files as soon as your payment is processed. We do not ship hard copies. We offer a 100% money-back guarantee on our tip sheets and e-courses. Please see our Ordering FAQs for details.