CONFUSING WORDS
TASK 1
Complete sentences with the correct form of confusing words.
1. a) This book includes descriptions of all species of birds __________
(except/accept) hummingbirds.
b) Despite all the consequences they __________ (except/accept) defeat
well.
2. a) The vacuum cleaner uses the heating __________ (affect/effect) of
electric current.
b) Lack of vitamins __________ (affect/effect) the quality of your health.
3. a) Dinner was __________ (all ready/already) done when he returned
home.
b) Dinner was __________ (all ready/already) when he returned home.
4. a) It's so cold outside that you can literally see your __________
(breath/breathe).
b) You will die if you do not __________ (breath/breathe).
5. a) Jimmy __________ (compliment/complement) Sarah`s beautiful hair.
b) French fries perfectly __________ (compliment/complement) fried
fish.
Key: 1. a) except; b) accepted;
2. a) affect; b) effect;
3. a) already; b) all ready;
4. a) breath; b) breathe;
5. a) complimented; b) complement.
TASK 2
Match confusing words with their meaning
I. 1) lose a) adjective, to not be tight;
2) loose verb (rarely used) - to release
b) verb, to misplace or not win
II. 1) principal a) a general or fundamental truth
2) principle b) adjective, most important;
noun, a person who has authority
III. 1) than a) use with comparisons
2) then b) at that time, or next
IV. 1) their a) indicates location (hint: think of "here and there")
2) there b) contraction for "they are"
3) they`re c) possessive form of they
V. 1) to a) also, or excessively
2) too b) toward
Key: I. 1) b; 2) a;
II. 1) b; 2) a;
III. 1) a; 2) b;
IV. 1) c; 2) a; 3) b;
V. 1) b; 2) a.
TASK 3
Replace the words in bold with the correct form of the appropriate confusing
words.
1. affect/effect
a) The performance of this bike could be influenced by many things.
b) Today kids studied chemical reaction of insulin.
2. to/too
a) Like John, Amy also drank alcohol and was unable to drive home.
b) She took a step toward the door.
3. procede/precced
a) Pre-writing comes before the rough draft of good papers.
b) He came forward to pass back the failing grades on the exam.
4. sight/site
a) The new office building was built on the position of a cemetery.
b) The vision of the American flag arouses different emotions in different
parts of the world.
Key: 1. a) affected; b) effect;
2. a) too; b) to;
3. a) precedes; b) proccedes;
4. a) site; b) sight.
TASK 4
Use the prompts to make complete sentences with confusing words.
1. altogether/all together
a) I thought / was well planned / altogether / that / the student`s
presentation.
b) last spring / the family reunion / we were / all together / at.
2. capitol/capital
a) today / the governor / given at the / his registration / capitol / in a
speech / announced.
b) to build / had enough / the firm / capital / the new plant.
Key: 1. a) Altogether, I thought that the student's presentation was well
planned.
b) We were all together at the family reunion last spring.
2. a) The governor announced his resignation in a speech given at the capitol
today.
b) The firm had enough capital to build the new plant.
TASK 5
Match the prompts from A, B, C columns to make sentences with confusing
words.
A B C
I. 1. The tornado past through the city quickly, but
it caused great damage.
2. Who was the
passed president of Microsquish
Computers?
II. 1) The imminent and not easily recognized.
2) The meaning
of the poem was eminent from the moment I enter my
3) A fight between my house.
sister and me is immanent
podiatrist won the Physician
of the Year award.
III. 1) He plowed right threw he looks tough on the
2) She outside.
3) John though
4) He's really a the other team's defensive
sweetheart thoroughly line.
through away his love letters.
cleaned his room; there was
not even a speck of dust
when he finished.
Key: I. 1) The tornado passed through the city quickly, but it caused great
damage.
2) Who was the past president of Microsquish Computers?
II. 1) The eminent podiatrist won the Physician of the Year award.
2) The meaning of the poem was immanent, and not easily recognized.
3) A fight between my sister and me is imminent from the moment I enter my
house.
III. 1) He plowed right through the other team's defensive line.
2) She threw away his love letters.
3) John thoroughly cleaned his room; there was not even a speck of dust when
he finished.
4) He's really a sweetheart though he looks tough on the outside.
