English
Language Difficulties
There are various mistakes commonly made in English, even by native
speakers. Here is the index of current and upcoming lessons on English
difficulties.
Accept vs Except
These two English words are sometimes confused by native speakers.
Please accept my invitation to learn the difference with this lesson.
Addition vs Edition
This lesson will make a nice addition to your English understanding.
Affect vs Effect
These words are sometimes confused by native speakers - don't
let their mistakes affect your English.
All Together vs Altogether
The terms all together and altogether can be confusing in English. Once you've read through this lesson, you'll have an altogether better understanding of them.
Amused vs Bemused
The English words amused and bemused are confused by some
native English speakers.
Ancestor vs Descendant
The English words ancestor and descendant are sometimes
confused by native speakers. In fact, they're exact opposites.
Apostrophe s
The English apostrophe s and s apostrophe cause a lot of problems, even
for native speakers. This lesson's task is to help you learn about
possessives and contractions that need apostrophes and plurals that
don't.
Assure, Ensure, Insure
These three English words all mean "to make sure or certain." This lesson will ensure that
you understand the difference.
Between you and me vs
Between you and I
Between you and me, the phrase "between you and I" grates on my ears
like nails on a chalkboard. I hear the wrong version about 3 times as
often as I hear it said the right way, so lets get this straightened out
once and for all.
Bi- vs Semi-
The English prefixes bi- and semi- are often mixed up by native speakers.
A semi-annual reading of this lesson will help more than a bi-annual
one.
Borrow, Lend, Loan
What's the difference between borrow, lend, and loan?
Two of them are synonyms and the third is the opposite - lend me your
eyes and I'll tell you about them.
Complement vs Compliment
The words complement and compliment are commonly confused in
English. Once you've read through this lesson, your friends will
compliment you on your mastery of English.
Despite vs In spite of
The English terms despite and in spite of are very similar in meaning
and usage; in spite of this, English speakers sometimes find them
confusing.
e.g. vs i.e.
The Latin abbreviations e.g. and i.e. are commonly used in
English, and nearly as commonly mixed up. If this sounds like you,
i.e., you are never sure whether to use e.g. or i.e.,
read through this lesson to learn the difference.
Either and Neither
The English words either and neither can cause some
problems for native and non-native speakers of English. Sometimes you
can use either one and sometimes you have to choose either one or the
other, but neither one is very difficult.
Everyday vs Every day
Everyday and every day are commonly confused in
English. There's no difference in pronunciation, but using the wrong one when writing is a
mistake in the everyday English you use every day.
Farther vs Further
These two English words are very similar; keep reading for further information.
Fewer vs Less
The words fewer and less are commonly confused in English,
or rather, less is used while fewer tends to fall by the
wayside. You'll be less confused and make fewer mistakes after reading
through this lesson.
Good vs Well
The English words good and well are often confused by native
and non-native speakers of English - this is a good lesson that will put
you well on your way to understanding the difference.
Hers vs Her's
What's the difference between hers and her's?
I vs Me
Mistakes made with these two English pronouns have been increasing
exponentially for years. The difference is actually very simple - let me
explain it to you.
If I would have...
When talking about something that didn't happen in the past, many
English speakers use the conditional perfect (if I would have done) when
they should be using the past perfect (if I had done).
Its vs It's
These two English words are very often used incorrectly by native speakers.
It's important that you understand the difference.
Lay vs Lie
The English verbs lay and lie are commonly confused by
even native English speakers. I'm not lying when I say that you can now
lay your fears of not knowing the difference to rest.
Lightening vs Lightning
The English words lightening and lightning are only one letter apart in
spelling and pronunciation, but worlds apart in meaning. The lightning
bolt of comprehension you get after reading this lesson will start
lightening your confusion.
Loose vs Lose
The words loose and lose are mixed up in writing; for some
reason, many people write loose when they really mean lose. But
there's no reason to lose your mind worrying about this, just lose the
extra o!
Me vs Myself
Me, myself, and I may refer to the same person, but they are not
interchangeable. Myself should be the one you hear the least, but
it's often used incorrectly in place of me.
Ours vs Our's
What's the difference between ours and our's?
Spelling
Lessons on some tricky topics in English spelling including the apostrope s
and i before e.
Than vs Then
The English words than and then look and sound a lot alike,
but they are completely different. If this distinction is harder than it
should be, read this lesson and then try again.
Their, There, They're
What's the difference between their, there, and they're?
They're really not that complicated; once you understand their
differences there shouldn't be any more confusion.
Theirs vs Their's
What's the difference between theirs and their's?
To, Too, Two
What's the difference between to, too, and two?
It's not too difficult to use them, once you take the time to learn what
they mean - and do some practicing too.
Weather vs Whether
The words weather and whether have nothing in common other than their
pronunciation, but English speakers are sometimes unsure which one to use. Find out whether you
need to correct your spelling.
Who vs Whom
For those who want to know the
difference between who and whom, here is an explanation.
Who's vs Whose
Who knows the difference between who's and whose? Here's a
lesson whose time has come.
Your vs You're
What's the difference between your and you're? Your
presence on this page means you're about to find out.
Yours vs Your's
What's the difference between yours and your's?
Coming Soon
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