10.5: Trouble Spots in Language- More Easily Confused Words

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In this unit, we continue to look at words that are often confused in writing. For each of the following sentences, write the correct word in each gap. Use each word only once.

of | off

a) Would you like another cup _______________ coffee?

b) Could you please turn _______________ the light?

peace | piece

a) I ate two _______________ s of chicken and some French fries.

b) At the end of the war, the two countries signed a _______________ treaty.

principal | principle

a) My high school _______________ encouraged me to go to college.

b) The minimum wage should be increased. It’s a matter of _______________.

quiet | quite

a) Please be _______________! I’m trying to think!

b) It’s _______________ cold today. You’ll need a jacket.

root | route

a) River Road is the most direct _______________ to the town centre.

b) Turnips, parsnips, and carrots are all _______________ vegetables.

sight | site

a) Sam is working as a carpenter on a construction _______________.

b) The mountains in winter are a beautiful _______________.

their | there | they’re

a) Who is that man over _______________?

b) Chris and Jamie won’t be at hockey practice. _______________ both sick.

c) The Canucks lost _______________ first game of the season.

than | then

a) First, we lived in Kitimat. _______________, we moved to Terrace.

b) Terrace is a larger town _______________ Kitimat.

to | too

a) I don’t like fast food. It’s _______________ greasy.

b) Send a text _______________ your teacher if you need to miss a class.

weather | whether

a) The _______________ forecast says it’s going to snow tonight.

b) Do you know _______________ classes will be cancelled because of the snow?

which | witch

a) Jennifer dressed up as a _______________ for the costume party.

b) _______________ courses are you taking next term?

who’s | whose

a) I’m going to the cafeteria. _______________ coming?

b) _______________ boots are these? They are not mine.