M7-c Watch for words that are often spelled incorrectly because they sound like other words
In English, many words are not spelled as they sound. The endings of some words may be dropped in speech but need to be included in writing. For example, speakers often pronounce and as an’ or drop the -ed ending on verbs. Other common words sound the same but have entirely different meanings. Watch carefully for words such as the following:
already (“by now”: He is already in class.)
all ready (“fully prepared”: I’m all ready for the test.)
an (article: Everyone read an essay last night.)
and (conjunction: The class discussed the problem and the solution.)
its (possessive pronoun: The car lost its shine.)
it’s (“it is”: It’s too cold to go for a walk.)
maybe (“perhaps”: Maybe we should have tacos for dinner.)
may be (verb showing possibility: They may be arriving tonight.)
than (conjunction showing comparison: The house was taller than the tree.)
then (adverb showing time sequence: First she knocked and then she opened the door.)
their (possessive pronoun: They decided to sell their old car.)
there (adverb showing location: The car dealer is located there on the corner.)
they’re (“they are”: They’re going to pick up the new car tonight.)
your (possessive pronoun: I can see your apartment.)
you’re (“you are”: Call me when you’re home.)
For distinctions between other words, such as affect/effect, principal/principle, and to/too, see the Glossary of Frequently Misused Words.
Watch for and correct misspelled words that sound the same as other words.
