9.6: Trouble Spots in Language- Easily Confused Words

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In Units 9 and 10, we will look at a few words that cause trouble in writing. Sometimes, the words sound the same, but the spelling is different—and so is the meaning. Sometimes, they are pronounced differently. For each of the following sentences, write the correct word in each gap. Use each word only once.

brake | break

a) Let’s work for another twenty minutes, then we’ll take a _______________.

b) Don’t _______________ suddenly if you’re driving on ice, or you’ll skid.

cereal | serial

a) For breakfast, I usually eat either _______________ or a muffin.

b) Remember to write down the _______________ number of your appliance.

councillor | counsellor

a) Alex has been seeing a _______________ because she suffers from anxiety.

b) I would like to help my community by becoming a band _______________.

desert | dessert

a) If you are going to the _______________, take sunscreen and a water bottle.

b) I have no room for _______________. I ate three hotdogs, and I’m full!

die | dye

a) I’m bored with my hair. Maybe I’ll _______________ it purple.

b) The doctor warned us that our grandmother might _______________ tonight.

eligible | illegible

a) I can’t read his letter; his handwriting is _______________.

b) Are you _______________ to apply for a bursary?

fair | fare

a) Why did you punish me and not her? That’s not _______________!

b) Can you lend me two dollars for my bus _______________?

idle | idol

a) Justin Bieber is a teenage _______________ in Canada.

b) My kids are so _______________! They need to help more in the house.

lead | lead | led

a) Does this road _______________ to the lake?

b) Last summer, Nick _______________ a week-long canoe trip in northern B.C.

c) Paint containing _______________ is toxic to humans.

lie | lay

a) I have a headache. I’m going to _______________ down for a while.

b) Please _______________ the flowers carefully on the table.

lose | loose

a) My jeans are _______________. I must have lost some weight.

b) Put your train ticket in your wallet so you don’t _______________ it.

miner | minor

a) There are only a few _______________ grammar mistakes in your writing.

b) Jim became a _______________even though he’s afraid of the dark.