…on facebook, messages, writings, etc. And from people around me today who i like a lot and respect. Church folk too. I feel the need to correct these errors simply because they cause unavoidable confusion in communication for any intense reader. I just want to help our communication in general to be more effective.
I’m not exactly an English teacher and i often make my own errors so please bear with me if my examples are not perfect or i don’t explain things properly.
1.) Apart vs “a part” – Apart means “separate from” so if you say something like: I’m so glad i got to be apart of that event…” you’re saying you are glad you got to be separate from the event not actually a PART of it. Big difference family.
2.) Your vs you’re – “Your refers to you owning something. Example: Your shoe. Your phone.
“You’re” means “You are”. Example: You’re funny. You’re happy.
3.) There vs they’re vs their –
There = A location close-by. Ex: the tv is over there.
They’re = They are. Ex: they are standing. They’re standing. They’re walking.
4.) Woman vs women –
Woman = one woman. Singular. Ex: His wife is a beautiful woman.
Women = more than one. Plural. Ex: When you get married, all other women should not compete with your wife.
5.) To vs too –
To = I am going to church
Too = He ate the chips too! Like saying “also”.
6.) This vs these
This refers to some thing nearby. Ex: i like this couch in front of me.
These refers to multiple things nearby. Ex: what do you intend to do with these crayons?
7.) Accept vs Except
“Accept” refers to receiving something. Ex: please accept my apology. I accept Jesus Christ as Lord.
“Except” refers to the exclusion of something. Ex: i want all the accessories on that table except the ugly earmuffs.
He like every message except that of Jesus Christ.
BIG DIFFERENCE guys.
8.) Secular vs Circular
Secular: I try not to listen to secular music because i prefer the message of gospel music.
Circular refers to something round. Ex: Every wedding ring is round so it can fit on a finger.
9.) Lose vs Loose
“Lose” refers to misplacing something. Ex: please don’t lose your keys at school.
“Loose” refers to something being the opposite of tight. Ex: The screw on that chair is loose so be careful.
10.) Were vs We’re vs Wear
Were: Were you at the party yesterday?
We’re: We are (We’re going to the party tomorrow)
Wear: What will you wear to the party when we go?
11.) Patient vs Patience
“Patient” either refers to the singular form of a person on admission to a hospital for care (noun form), or the act of being long-suffering (verb form) Ex: that patient is sick. Or please be patient while we resolve these issues.
Patience refers to the noun form of long-suffering.
Ex: patience is a virtue when you are standing in a long line.
12.) Advise vs Advice
Advise refers to a verb…To do the advising. Ex: I would advise you to stay calm around dogs.
Advice refers to the information given. Ex: His advice was that i stay calm around dogs.
13.) Relief vs Relieve vs Relive
Relief: the ease from something. Ex: what a relief! I finished my test.
Relieve: a verb form; to ease someone or something. Ex: May i relieve you of the weight of your luggage ma’am?
Relive: To live again. Re live basically.
14.) Through vs threw
Through: i went through so much just to get here.
Threw: He actually threw the ball so the dog could go fetch it.
15.) Bless vs Blessed
“Bless” is a verb. To bless. I bless you in Jesus name.
“Blessed” refers to a state or condition. Ex: I am blessed. NOT I am bless.
16.) Being vs been (like been there vs being there)
My car is being washed as it goes through the carwash. It refers to something continuous.
“Been” refers to something past. Ex. My car had been washed yesterday when i went through the carwash.
17.) Either vs neither
“Either” refers to an accepting choice between two options. And it often comes in conjunction with the word “Or”
For example – You either want the orange juice OR the apple juice so please pick one.
“Neither” refers to a rejecting of two options given. And it usually comes in conjunction with the word “NOR”
For example – I neither want the apple NOR the orange. I’d like Cranberry juice please.
18.) Flea vs flee (Fleas vs Flees)
Fleas are those obnoxious little bugs that plague dirty dogs.
“Flees” refers to an action of a character running expediently away from something, somewhere or someone. The lady flees the shop every time that groping guy shows up.
19.) Quit vs Quite vs Quiet
Quit: stop something, give up, relent
Quite – ex: that was quite a task! It was quite a long journey. It’s an adverb.
Quiet: the opposite of loud. It refers to a state of decreased noises or volumes of sound. Ex: It’s quiet when the baby sleeps.
20.) Prophecy vs Prophesy
“Prophecy” refers to the the thing foretold
“Prophesy” refers to the the act of foretelling what will occur.
21.) Decent vs Descent
“Decent” refers to a graceful or relatively good form of presentation. Ex: That’s a decent car you drive.
“Descent” refers to a downward motion from a higher point of reference. Ex: The plane’s descent onto the runway from the air was spectacular!
22.) Imminent vs Eminent vs Immanent
Imminent: About to happen, or close; at hand.
Ex: Christ’s return is Imminent and can happen any day now.
Eminent: conspicuous, standing out, distinguished
Have you seen that eminent structure erected by the state of Texas?
Immanent: indwelling, inherent, intrinsic
There is immanent danger behind the walls of that factory from the chemicals and heat.
23.) Fill vs Feel
Fill: Please fill my cup with water
Feel: Do you feel the heat coming from that kitchen?!
24.) Alot vs a lot
Alot: Because i’m in charge, I alot you 10 pieces of land as your portion in this country.
A lot: A phrase referring to much. I have a lot of friends who live outside my city.
25.) Great vs grate
Great: Wow! That was a great performance!
Grate: If you grate the chalk on that board again, i’ll throw something at you!
26. There is no such thing as “intervain”; It’s intervene. And that basically means to step in to a situation
27. It’s not “ungreatful”…it is ungrateful
28. Sea vs See
Sea = big water collection…
Ex: The ship sailed the sea.
See = Vision, sight.
Ex: I see you standing up.
