Breadcrumbs

Words that confuse

These are the grammar topics that were tested in the Words that Confuse PreQuiz.

They're | their | there
These three sound identical so people frequently get them muddled — especially in phone texts.
Bought | brought
One is the past of buy, and the other is the past of bring. How can you tell which is which?
Than | then
These words sound similar, but one signals comparison while the other signals a sequence of events.
Affect | effect
One is a verb which means 'to influence', while the other is a noun meaning 'the result of'. Learn to tell the difference between them.
Accept | except
One is a verb, meaning 'to agree to something', while the other is a preposition meaning 'not including'.
Whose | who's
One is asking about something belonging to someone, while the other is wanting to know who someone is.
Loose | lose
When something is not attached very tightly, and then it falls off and is never seen again.
Passed | past
The first is a verb and the other can be either a noun or a preposition.

Instructions: Hover or tap the questions below to see the relevant lessons for each item in the pre-quiz.

1. Instructions: Type into the correct word into the space below .
The variables in this experiment will undoubtedly _______ the outcome.
Is it affect or effect?

affect
Relevant lesson: Affect | effect

2. Instructions: Select the correct pronoun for each sentence below.
Suspect to policeman: "Nah man, ... not mine eh. That's _______ stuff man!" there ❍ their ❍ they're ❍
Can you tell me where ______ coming from? ❍ their ❍ they're ❍
I thought I'd left my stuff ______, but not it has gone! ❍ their ❍ they're ❍

their
they're
there
Relevant lesson: They're | their | there

3. Instructions: Type into the correct word into the space below .
We don't want to _____ any more time. Choose what you want and we'll go!
Is it loose or lose?

affect
Relevant Stage 4 lesson: Affect | effect

4. Instructions: Select the correct pronoun for each sentence below.
Someone has parked in my carpark again. _____ responsible for removing that car? who's ❍ whose ❍
______ car is it anyway? who's ❍ whose ❍
______ that man over there with that tow truck? who's ❍ whose ❍
Would the person _____ car is in my park please step forward! who's ❍ whose ❍
He says that it is not his car. ______ is it then? who's ❍ whose ❍

Who's
Whose
Who's
Whose
Whose
Relevant lesson: Who's | whose

5. Select the best option below if you think that Maria paid for her flowers.
Sentence: Maria bought some flowers at the fair.
❍ It is not clear whether she paid for the flowers or not.
❍ Yes, (she paid for them)
❍ No, (she didn't pay for them)

Yes (she paid for them)
Relevant lesson: Brought | bought

6. Instructions: Type into the correct word into the space below .
Before eating my breakfast I enjoy Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee more ____ any other.
Is it then or than?

than
Relevant lesson: Then | than

7. Select the option below that uses passed or past correctly.
❍ I think I just saw a monkey on a scooter ride passed me.
❍ We should look to the future, as we cannot change the past.
❍ I feel like my youth past me while I was sleeping.

We should look to the future, as we cannot change the past.
Relevant lesson: Passed | past

8. Instructions: Type into the correct word into the space below .
The judge will _______ your statement before deliberating on her decision.
Is it accept or except?

accept
Relevant lesson: Accept | except