10 Chapter 10 – Working With Words: Which Word is Right?

Just as a mason uses bricks to build sturdy homes, writers use words to build successful documents. Consider the construction of a building. Builders need to use tough, reliable materials to build a solid and structurally sound skyscraper. From the foundation to the roof and every floor in between, every part is necessary. Writers need to use strong, meaningful words from the first sentence to the last and in every sentence in between.

You already know many words that you use every day as part of your writing and speaking vocabulary. You probably also know that certain words fit better in certain situations. Letters, e-mails, and even quickly jotted grocery lists require the proper selection of vocabulary. Imagine you are writing a grocery list to purchase the ingredients for a recipe but accidentally write down cilantro when the recipe calls for parsley. Even though cilantro and parsley look remarkably alike, each produces a very different effect in food. This seemingly small error could radically alter the flavor of your dish!

Having a solid everyday vocabulary will help you while writing, but learning new words and avoiding common word errors will make a real impression on your readers. Experienced writers know that deliberate, careful word selection and usage can lead to more polished, more meaningful work. This chapter covers word choice and vocabulary-building strategies that will improve your writing.

 

1.       Commonly confused words

2.       Spelling

3.       Word choice

4.       Prefixes and suffixes

5.       Synonyms and antonyms

6.       Using context clues

 

1. Commonly confused words

Some words in English cause trouble for speakers and writers because these words share a similar pronunciation, meaning, or spelling with another word. These words are called commonly confused words.

For example, read aloud the following sentences containing the commonly confused words new and knew:

I liked her new sweater.

I knew she would wear that sweater today.

These words may sound alike when spoken, but they carry entirely different usages and meanings. New is an adjective that describes the sweater, and knew is the past tense of the verb to know. To read more about adjectives, verbs, and other parts of speech see Chapter 8, “Writing Basics: What Makes a Good Sentence?”.

 

Recognizing Commonly Confused Words

New and knew are just two of the words that can be confusing because of their similarities. Familiarize yourself with the following list of commonly confused words. Recognizing these words in your own writing and in other pieces of writing can help you choose the correct word.

 

Commonly Confused Words

A, An, And

• A (article). Used before a word that begins with a consonant.
• a key, a mouse, a screen
• An (article). Used before a word that begins with a vowel.
• an airplane, an ocean, an igloo
• And (conjunction). Connects two or more words together.
• peanut butter and jelly, pen and pencil, jump and shout

Accept, Except

• Accept (verb). Means to take or agree to something offered.
• They accepted our proposal for the conference.
• Except (conjunction). Means only or but.
• We could fly there except the tickets cost too much.

Affect, Effect

• Affect (verb). Means to create a change.
• Hurricane winds affect the amount of rainfall.
• Effect (noun). Means an outcome or result.
• The heavy rains will have an effect on the crop growth.

Are, Our

• Are (verb). A conjugated form of the verb be.
• My cousins are all tall and blonde.
• Our (pronoun). Indicates possession, usually follows the pronoun we.
• We will bring our cameras to take pictures.

By, Buy

• By (preposition). Means next to.
• My glasses are by the bed.
• Buy (verb). Means to purchase.
• I will buy new glasses after the doctor’s appointment.

Its, It’s

• Its (pronoun). A form of it that shows possession.
• The butterfly flapped its wings.
• It’s (contraction). Joins the words it and is.
• It’s the most beautiful butterfly I have ever seen.

Know, No

• Know (verb). Means to understand or possess knowledge.
• I know the male peacock sports the brilliant feathers.
• No. Used to make a negative.
• I have no time to visit the zoo this weekend.

Loose, Lose

• Loose (adjective). Describes something that is not tight or is detached.
• Without a belt, her pants are loose on her waist.
• Lose (verb). Means to forget, to give up, or to fail to earn something.
• She will lose even more weight after finishing the marathon training.

Of, Have

• Of (preposition). Means from or about.
• I studied maps of the city to know where to rent a new apartment.
• Have (verb). Means to possess something.
• I have many friends to help me move.
• Have (linking verb). Used to connect verbs.
• I should have helped her with that heavy box.

Quite, Quiet, Quit

• Quite (adverb). Means really or truly.
• My work will require quite a lot of concentration.
• Quiet (adjective). Means not loud.
• I need a quiet room to complete the assignments.
• Quit (verb). Means to stop or to end.
• I will quit when I am hungry for dinner.

Right, Write

• Right (adjective). Means proper or correct.
• When bowling, she practices the right form.
• Right (adjective). Also means the opposite of left.
• Begin the dance with your right foot.
• Write (verb). Means to communicate on paper.
• After the team members bowl, I will write down their scores.

Set, Sit

• Set (verb). Means to put an item down.
• She set the mug on the saucer.
• Set (noun). Means a group of similar objects.
• All the mugs and saucers belonged in a set.
• Sit (verb). Means to lower oneself down on a chair or another place
• I’ll sit on the sofa while she brews the tea.

Suppose, Supposed

• Suppose (verb). Means to think or to consider
• I suppose I will bake the bread because no one else has the recipe.
• Suppose (verb). Means to suggest.
• Suppose we all split the cost of the dinner.
• Supposed (verb). The past tense form of the verb suppose, meaning required or allowed.
• She was supposed to create the menu.

Than, Then

• Than (conjunction). Used to connect two or more items when comparing
• Registered nurses require less schooling than doctors.
• Then (adverb). Means next or at a specific time.
• Doctors first complete medical school and then obtain a residency.

Their, They’re, There

• Their (pronoun). A form of they that shows possession.
• The dog walkers feeds their dogs every day at two o’clock.
• They’re (contraction). Joins the words they and are.
• They’re the sweetest dogs in the neighborhood.
• There (adverb). Indicates a particular place.
• The dogs’ bowls are over there, next to the pantry.
• There (explitive used to delay the subject). Indicates the presence of something
• There are more treats if the dogs behave.

To, Two, Too

• To (preposition). Indicates movement.
• Let’s go to the circus.
• To. A word that completes an infinitive verb.
• to play, to ride, to watch.
• Two. The number after one. It describes how many.
• Two clowns squirted the elephants with water.
• Too (adverb). Means also or very.
• The tents were too loud, and we left.

Use, Used

• Use (verb). Means to apply for some purpose.
• We use a weed whacker to trim the hedges.
• Used. The past tense form of the verb to use
• He used the lawnmower last night before it rained.
• Used to. Indicates something done in the past but not in the present
• He used to hire a team to landscape, but now he landscapes alone.

Who’s, Whose

• Who’s (contraction). Joins the words who and either is or has.
• Who’s the new student? Who’s met him?
• Whose (pronoun). A form of who that shows possession.
• Whose schedule allows them to take the new student on a campus tour?

Your, You’re

• Your (pronoun). A form of you that shows possession.
• Your book bag is unzipped.
• You’re (contraction). Joins the words you and are.
• You’re the girl with the unzipped book bag.

Figure 10.1 “Camera Sign”

 

The English language contains so many words; no one can say for certain how many words exist. In fact, many words in English are borrowed from other languages. Many words have multiple meanings and forms, further expanding the immeasurable number of English words. Although the list of commonly confused words serves as a helpful guide, even these words may have more meanings than shown here. When in doubt, consult an expert: the dictionary!

 

Strategies to Avoid Commonly Confused Words

When writing, you need to choose the correct word according to its spelling and meaning in the context. Not only does selecting the correct word improve your vocabulary and your writing, but it also makes a good impression on your readers. It also helps reduce confusion and improve clarity. The following strategies can help you avoid misusing confusing words.

1. Use a dictionary. Keep a dictionary at your desk while you write. Look up words when you are uncertain of their meanings or spellings. Many dictionaries are also available online, and the Internet’s easy access will not slow you down. Check out your cell phone or smartphone to see if a dictionary app is available.

2. Keep a list of words you commonly confuse. Be aware of the words that often confuse you. When you notice a pattern of confusing words, keep a list nearby, and consult the list as you write. Check the list again before you submit an assignment to your instructor.

3. Study the list of commonly confused words. You may not yet know which words confuse you, but before you sit down to write, study the words on the list. Prepare your mind for working with words by reviewing the commonly confused words identified in this chapter.

Figure 10.2 ” A Commonly Misused Word on a Public Sign”

 

 

 

 

2. Spelling

One essential aspect of good writing is accurate spelling. With computer spell checkers, spelling may seem simple, but these programs fail to catch every error. Spell checkers identify some errors, but writers still have to consider the flagged words and suggested replacements. Writers are still responsible for the errors that remain.

For example, if the spell checker highlights a word that is misspelled and gives you a list of alternative words, you may choose a word that you never intended even though it is spelled correctly. This can change the meaning of your sentence. It can also confuse readers, making them lose interest. Computer spell checkers are useful editing tools, but they can never replace human knowledge of spelling rules, homonyms, and commonly misspelled words. Also, autocorrect can sometimes make the wrong correction, changing the meaning of your statement.

 

Common Spelling Rules

The best way to master new words is to understand the key spelling rules. Keep in mind, however, that some spelling rules carry exceptions. A spell checker may catch these exceptions, but knowing them yourself will prepare you to spell accurately on the first try. You may want to try memorizing each rule and its exception like you would memorize a rhyme or lyrics to a song.

Write i before e except after c, or when pronounced ay like “neighbor” or “weigh.”

• achieve, niece, alien
• receive, deceive

When words end in a consonant plus y, drop the y and add an i before adding another ending.

• happy + er = happier
• cry + ed = cried

When words end in a vowel plus y, keep the y and add the ending.

• delay + ed = delayed

Memorize the following exceptions to this rule: day, lay, say, pay = daily, laid, said, paid

When adding an ending that begins with a vowel, such as –able, –ence, –ing, or –ity, drop the last e in a word.

• write + ing = writing
• pure + ity = purity

When adding an ending that begins with a consonant, such as –less, –ment, or –ly, keep the last e in a word.

• hope + less = hopeless
• advertise + ment = advertisement

For many words ending in a consonant and an o, add –s when using the plural form.

• photo + s = photos
• soprano + s = sopranos

Add –es to words that end in s, ch, sh, and x.

• church + es = churches
• fax + es = faxes

 

 

 

Homonyms

Homonyms are words that sound like one another but have different meanings.

 

Commonly Misused Homonyms

Principle, Principal

• Principle (noun). A fundamental concept that is accepted as true.
• The principle of human equality is an important foundation for all nations.
• Principal (noun). The original amount of debt on which interest is calculated.
• The payment plan allows me to pay back only the principal amount, not any compounded interest.
• Principal (noun). A person who is the main authority of a school.
• The principal held a conference for both parents and teachers.

Where, Wear, Ware

• Where (adverb). The place in which something happens.
• Where is the restaurant?
• Wear (verb). To carry or have on the body.
• I will wear my hiking shoes I when go on a climb tomorrow morning.
• Ware (noun). Articles of merchandise or manufacture (usually, wares).
• When I return from shopping, I will show you my wares.

Lead, Led

• Lead (noun). A type of metal used in pipes and batteries.
• The lead pipes in my homes are old and need to be replaced.
• Led (verb). The past tense of the verb lead.
• After the garden, she led the patrons through the museum.

Which, Witch

• Which (pronoun). Replaces one out of a group.
• Which apartment is yours?
• Witch (noun). A person who practices sorcery or who has supernatural powers.
• She thinks she is a witch, but she does not seem to have any powers.

Peace, Piece

• Peace (noun). A state of tranquility or quiet.
• For once, there was peace between the argumentative brothers.
• Piece (noun). A part of a whole.
• I would like a large piece of cake, thank you.

Passed, Past

• Passed (verb). To go away or move.
• He passed the slower cars on the road using the left lane.
• Past (noun). Having existed or taken place in a period before the present.
• The argument happened in the past, so there is no use in dwelling on it.

Lessen, Lesson

• Lessen (verb). To reduce in number, size, or degree.
• My dentist gave me medicine to lessen the pain of my aching tooth.
• Lesson (noun). A reading or exercise to be studied by a student.
• Today’s lesson was about mortgage interest rates.

Patience, Patients

• Patience (noun). The capacity of being patient (waiting for a period of time or enduring pains and trials calmly).
• The novice teacher’s patience with the unruly class was astounding.
• Patients (plural noun). Individuals under medical care.
• The patients were tired of eating the hospital food, and they could not wait for a home-cooked meal.

Sees, Seas, Seize

• Sees (verb). To perceive with the eye.
• He sees a whale through his binoculars.
• Seas (plural noun). The plural of sea, a great body of salt water.
• The tidal fluctuation of the oceans and seas are influenced by the moon.
• Seize (verb). To possess or take by force.
• The king plans to seize all the peasants’ land.

Threw, Through

• Threw (verb). The past tense of throw.
• She threw the football with perfect form.
• Through (preposition). A word that indicates movement.
• She walked through the door and out of his life.

 

Commonly Misspelled Words

Below is a list of commonly misspelled words. You probably use these words every day in either speaking or writing. Each word has a segment in bold type, which indicates the problem area of the word that is often spelled incorrectly. If you can, use this list as a guide before, during, and after you write.

 

Figure 10.3 “Commonly Misspelled Words “

across	disappoint	integration	particular	separate
address	disapprove	intelligent	perform	similar
answer	doesn’t	interest	perhaps	since
argument	eighth	interfere	personnel	speech
athlete	embarrass	jewelry	possess	strength
beginning	environment	judgment	possible	success
behavior	exaggerate	knowledge	prefer	surprise
calendar	familiar	maintain	prejudice	taught
career	finally	mathematics	privilege	temperature
conscience	government	meant	probably	thorough
crowded	grammar	necessary	psychology	thought
definite	height	nervous	pursue	tired
describe	illegal	occasion	reference	until
desperate	immediately	opinion	rhythm	weight
different	important	optimist	ridiculous	written

 

 

 

3. Word choice

Effective writing involves making conscious choices with words. When you prepare to sit down to write your first draft, you likely have already completed some freewriting exercises, chosen your topic, developed your thesis statement, written an outline, and even selected your sources. When it is time to write your first draft, start to consider which words to use to best convey your ideas to the reader.

Some writers are picky about word choice as they start drafting. They may practice some specific strategies, such as using a dictionary and thesaurus, using words and phrases with proper connotations, and avoiding slang, clichés, and overly general words.

Once you understand these tricks of the trade, you can move ahead confidently in writing your assignment. Remember, the skill and accuracy of your word choice is a major factor in developing your writing style. Precise selection of your words will help you be more clearly understood—in both writing and speaking.

Using a Dictionary and Thesaurus

Even professional writers need help with the meanings, spellings, pronunciations, and uses of particular words. In fact, they rely on dictionaries to help them write better. No one knows every word in the English language and its multiple uses and meanings, so all writers, from novices to professionals, can benefit from the use of dictionaries.

Most dictionaries provide the following information:

• Spelling. How the word and its different forms are spelled.
• Pronunciation. How to say the word.
• Part of speech. The function of the word.
• Definition. The meaning of the word.
• Synonyms. Words that have similar meanings.
• Etymology. The history of the word.

Look at the following sample dictionary entry to see which of the preceding information you can identify:

myth, mith, n. [Gr. mythos, a word, a fable, a legend.] A fable or legend embodying the convictions of a people as to their gods or other divine beings, their own beginnings and early history and the heroes connected with it, or the origin of the world; any invented story; something or someone having no existence in fact.—myth • ic, myth • i • cal

Like a dictionary, a thesaurus is another indispensable writing tool. A thesaurus gives you a list of synonyms, words that have the same (or very close to the same) meaning as another word. It also lists antonyms, words with the opposite meaning of the word. A thesaurus will help you when you are looking for the perfect word with just the right meaning to convey your ideas. It will also help you learn more words and use the ones you already know more correctly. However, be careful to avoid choosing words from the thesaurus that don’t fit the tone of your writing or whose meaning might not be a perfect fit for what you are trying to say.

precocious adj, She’s such a precocious little girl!: uncommonly smart, mature, advanced, smart, bright, brilliant, gifted, quick, clever, apt.

Ant. slow, backward, stupid.

 

Using Proper Connotations

A denotation is the dictionary definition of a word. A connotation, on the other hand, is the emotional or cultural meaning attached to a word. The connotation of a word can be positive, negative, or neutral. Keep in mind the connotative meaning when choosing a word.

Scrawny

• Denotation: Exceptionally thin and slight or meager in body or size.
• Word used in a sentence: Although he was a premature baby and a scrawny child, Martin has developed into a strong man.
• Connotation: (Negative) In this sentence the word scrawny may have a negative connotation in the readers’ minds. They might find it to mean a weakness or a personal flaw; however, the word fits into the sentence appropriately.

Skinny

• Denotation: Lacking sufficient flesh, very thin.
• Word used in a sentence: Skinny jeans have become very fashionable in the past couple of years.
• Connotation: (Positive) Based on cultural and personal impressions of what it means to be skinny, the reader may have positive connotations of the word skinny.

Lean

• Denotation: Lacking or deficient in flesh; containing little or no fat.
• Word used in a sentence: My brother has a lean figure, whereas I have a more muscular build.
• Connotation: (Neutral) In this sentence, lean has a neutral connotation. It does not call to mind an overly skinny person like the word scrawny, nor does imply the positive cultural impressions of the word skinny. It is merely a neutral descriptive word.

Notice that all the words have a very similar denotation; however, the connotations of each word differ.

 

 

 

Avoiding Slang

Slang describes informal words that are considered nonstandard English. Slang often changes with passing fads and may be used by or be familiar to only a specific group of people. Most people use slang when they speak and in personal correspondences, such as e-mails, text messages, and instant messages. Slang is appropriate between friends in an informal context but should be avoided in formal academic writing.

 

 

Avoiding Clichés

Clichés are descriptive expressions that have lost their effectiveness because they are overused. Writing that uses clichés often suffers from a lack of originality and insight. Avoiding clichés in formal writing will help you write in original and fresh ways.

• Clichéd: Whenever my brother and I get into an argument, he always says something that makes my blood boil.
• Plain: Whenever my brother and I get into an argument, he always says something that makes me really angry.
• Original: Whenever my brother and I get into an argument, he always says something that makes me want to go to the gym and punch the bag for a few hours.

 

 

Avoiding Overly General Words

Specific words and images make your writing more interesting to read. Whenever possible, avoid overly general words in your writing; instead, try to replace general language with particular nouns, verbs, and modifiers that convey details and that bring yours words to life. Add words that provide color, texture, sound, and even smell to your writing.

• General: My new puppy is cute.
• Specific: My new puppy is a ball of white fuzz with the biggest black eyes I have ever seen.
• General: My teacher told us that plagiarism is bad.
• Specific: My teacher, Ms. Atwater, created a presentation detailing exactly how plagiarism is illegal and unethical.

 

 

4. Prefixes and suffixes

The English language contains an enormous and ever-growing number of words. Enhancing your vocabulary by learning new words can seem overwhelming, but if you know the common prefixes and suffixes of English, you will understand many more words.

Mastering common prefixes and suffixes is like learning a code. Once you crack the code, you cannot only spell words more correctly but also recognize and perhaps even define unfamiliar words.

 

Prefixes

A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a word to create a new meaning. Study the common prefixes in the table below.

 

 

Figure 0.4 ” Common Prefixes”

Prefix	Meaning	Example
dis	not, opposite of	dis + satisfied = dissatisfied
mis	wrongly	mis + spell = misspell
un	not	un + acceptable = unacceptable
re	again	re + election = reelection
inter	between	inter + related = interrelated
pre	before	pre + pay = prepay
non	not	non + sense = nonsense
super	above	super + script = superscript
sub	under	sub + merge = submerge
anti	against, opposing	anti + bacterial = antibacterial

 

Suffixes

A suffix is a word part added to the end of a word to create a new meaning. Study the suffix rules in the following boxes.