Exploring Writing 2nd Edition by John Langan

Exercise 86

Not all frequently confused words are homonyms. Here is a list of other words that people often confuse. Complete the activities for each set of words, and check off and study the words that give you trouble.
a, an Both a and an are used before other words to mean, approximately, "one."
Generally you should use an before words starting with a vowel ( a, e, i, o, u ):
an orange an umbrella an indication an ape an effort
Generally you should use a before words starting with a consonant (all other letters):
a genius a movie a speech a study a laptop
Fill in the blanks: The morning after the party, I had ______ pounding headache and ______ upset stomach.
accept ( k s pt') to receive; agree to
except ( k s pt') excluding; but
I wanted to accept the job offer, except that I already committed to staying at my current job for another year.
Fill in the blanks: Do you _____ your spouse for who he or she is, or do you say, "I love you ______ for your faults"
advice ( d v s ' ) noun meaning "an opinion"
advise ( d v s ' ) verb meaning "to counsel, to give advice"
I have learned not to take my sister's advice on straightening out my life.
A counselor can advise you about the courses you'll need next year.
Fill in the blanks: Karen is so troubled about losing her job that I will ______ her to seek the ______ of a professional counselor.
affect (uh f kt ' ) verb meaning "to influence"
effect ( f kt ' ) verb meaning "to cause something"; noun meaning "result"
The bad weather will definitely affect the outcome of the election.
If we can effect a change in George's attitude, he may do better in his courses.
One effect of the strike will be dwindling supplies in the supermarkets.
Fill in the blanks: Scientists have studied the ______ of large quantities of saccharine on lab animals but have yet to learn how similar amounts ______ human beings.
among implies three or more
between implies only two
The committee had to choose one person among five applicants, not between two applicants as previously thought.
Fill in the blanks: ______ you and me, I would rather live by myself than ______ friends.
beside along the side of
besides in addition to
Besides doing daily inventories, I have to stand beside the cashier whenever the store gets crowded.
Fill in the blanks: ______ those books on the table, I plan to use these magazines stacked me while doing my research paper.
fewer used with things that can be counted
less refers to amount, value, or degree
I've taken fewer classes this semester, so I hope to have less trouble finding time to study.
Fill in the blanks: This beer advertises that it has ______ calories and is ______ filling.
former refers to the first of two items named
latter refers to the second of two items named
Sherry enjoys cooking and gardening: the former allows her to try new recipes, and the latter provides her with fresh vegetables, which she uses in her dishes.
Fill in the blanks: When Nikki learned that she had the flu, she immediately called her shift manager and her history professor. She told the ______ that she would miss work, and she told the ______ that she would miss class.
learn to gain knowledge
teach to give knowledge
I can't learn a new skill unless someone with lots of patience teaches me.
Fill in the blanks: Because she is quick to ______ new things, Mandy has offered to ______ me how to play the latest video games.
loose (l s) not fastened; not tight-fitting
lose (l z) to misplace; fail to win
In this strong wind, the house may lose some of its loose roof shingles.
Fill in the blanks: A ______ wire in the television set was causing us to ______ the picture.
quiet (kw ' t) peaceful
quite (kw t) entirely; really; rather
Jennifer seems quiet and demure, but she has quite a temper at times.
Fill in the blanks: Most people think the library is ______ a good place to study, but I find the extreme ______ distracting.