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Affect: Use as a verb.
Effect: In most cases, use as a noun, meaning the result. Effect as a verb means to cause.
The wind affects the velocity.
The effects of the wind are minimal.
It was a law of little effect.
She will effect many changes.
Since: Use for time.
Because: Use for cause/effect relationships.
She fell because the ground was icy.
It has been a long time since we ate here.
While: Use for time.
Although: Use for in spite of the fact or granting that.
Although it was warm, she wore a coat.
While they were shopping, it clouded up.
Fewer: Use with items that can be counted.
Less: Use for general amounts.
We had less money this year.
Fewer than 10 applicants called.
Put less sugar in my tea.
Fewer people are living in the city.
Farther: Use farther for distance.
Further: Use for quantity or degree.
Chicago is farther than I thought.
After further analysis, the verdict stands.
Between: Generally, use with two items.
Among: Generally, use with more than two items.
We divided the money between you and your sister.
They divided the prize among several contestants.
However, between is the correct word when two or more items are considered one at a time.
Negotiations on a debate are continuing between the network and the Ford, Carter and McCarthy committees.
Ensure: Means to guarantee.
Insure: Use for references to insurance.
Steps were taken to ensure accuracy.
The policy insures his property.
Entitled: A right to do something.
Titled: The name of something.
They are entitled to fringe benefits.
John Steinbeck's novel was titled "The Grapes of Wrath."
All right: Use in all cases to mean okay.
Alright: Colloquial; do not use.
Under way: Use in most cases to indicate something is ongoing.
Underway: Use only as an adjective in a nautical sense.
The project is under way.
The naval maneuvers are under way.
The underway flotilla is approaching.
Like: A preposition used to compare nouns and pronouns.
As: A subordinating conjunction used to introduce clauses.
They play tennis like amateurs.
They play doubles as they should.
You don't know her as I do.
Awhile: An adverb meaning for a time.
A while: Two words when the object of a preposition.
They told us to wait awhile.
We should stay here for a while.
Allude: Verb meaning to speak of something without mentioning it specifically.
Elude: To escape or avoid.
Refer: To mention directly.
The speaker alluded to the article.
The convict eluded authorities.
The article referred to the mayor.
Accept: To receive.
Except: To exclude.
I accept all packages except that one.
Capital: Refers to a city, wealth or resources.
Capitol: Refers to a building.
Washington is the nation's capital.
Congress meets in the Capitol.
Anticipate: To expect and prepare for it.
Expect: Does not include preparation.
They expect a record crowd.
They anticipated it by adding more seats.
Persuade: Use when someone is trying to get you to do or agree with something. You are persuaded to do something.
Convince: Use when you agree with or have decided to do something. You are convinced of or that a decision or principle is correct.
The robbers persuaded him to open the vault.
He was convinced that it was the right thing to do.
Drunk: Use as an adjective after a form of the verb to be.
Drunken: Use as an adjective before nouns.
They were drunk.
She is accused of drunken driving.
Hang: One hangs (present tense) a picture, a criminal or oneself.
Hanged: Use for the past tense or the passive when referring to executions or suicide. Use hung for other actions.
The state will hang (future tense) the prisoner.
He hanged (past tense) himself in the cell.
The picture hangs (present tense) on the wall.
We hung (past tense) it there yesterday.
Half-staff: Use on land except naval stations.
Half-mast: Use for ships and naval stations ashore.
The flag was hung at half-staff to honor the senator, who died yesterday.
The ship hung its flag at half-mast.
Each other: Use with two people.
One another: Use with more than two people.
They loved each other.
We must trust one another.
Principal: An official of a school as a noun and the main as an adjective.
Principle: A basic truth.
She was the school's principal.
Truth-telling was the principal (adjective) idea.
Do no harm is the guiding principle.
Imply: Writers or speakers imply with their words; they suggest or state indirectly.
Infer: Readers or listeners infer something from their words; they draw a conclusion.
John implied that he knew about computers.
A computer expert in the audience inferred that he didn't.
Continual: Means repeated, happens frequently.
Continuous: Means uninterrupted.
The merger has been a continual source of problems.
She saw a continuous stretch of desert ahead.
Cite: Verb meaning to quote as an authority.
Site: Noun meaning location.
Sight: Noun meaning something seen or the ability to see.
They cited the stylebook.
They selected the site for the new jail.
You are a sight to behold.
She has lost her sight.
Elicit: To draw forth.
Illicit: Illegal.
The story elicited a positive response.
They are accused of dealing in illicit drugs.
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