Some words create trouble everywhere they appear, but this list will help you understand these commonly confused words and how to use them correctly:
Affect: Generally a verb meaning "to influence." Effect: Usually a noun meaning "result."
Good: Describes a person, place, thing, or idea. Well: Describes an action.
Lie: As a verb, "to rest or recline." Lay: As a verb, "to place in a certain position."
Its: Shows possession. It's: Contraction of "it is."
There: Indicates a position or place. Their: Shows possession. They're: Contraction of "they are."
Like: As a preposition, means "similar to." As: Precedes a subject/verb statement.
Because: Introduces a reason. Since: Makes a statement about time.
If: Indicates a possibility. Whether: Introduces two choices (whether or not).
That: Preceding a subject/verb statement, usually introduces essential information and isn't preceded by a comma. Which: Preceding a subject/verb statement, indicates extra information and is preceded by a comma.
Between: For two choices. Among: For a group of three or more.
Farther: Use for distance. Further: Used for time or intensity.
Different from: The correct expression! Different than: Not correct in Standard English.
Healthy: Refers to physical or mental well-being. Healthful: Refers to habits or food that contribute to good health.
Who's: A contraction meaning "who is." Whose: A possessive pronoun (belonging to whom).
