Confusing Words Sets 1-5: Application
As the car plummeted down the hill, its (brakes/breaks) began to fail.
brakes (stop)
Does your bicycle have hand or coaster (brakes/breaks)?
brakes (stop)
I didn't say anything; I just put on the (brakes/breaks) and let him out of the car.
brakes (stop)
During a (brake/break) in the action at a baseball game, I eavesdropped on conversations.
break (pause)
"Thank you," he said. "I do hate to (brake/break) up the party, though."
break (shatter/burst/pause)
As the sun began to (brakes/breaks) through the clouds, the air warmed noticeably.
break (shatter/burst/pause)
If your pencil lead (brakes/breaks), use the pencil sharpener.
breaks (shatter/burst/pause)
"I wish someone would (chose/choose) me," said the boy as the teams picked sides.
choose (2 choices & happening now)
"You can (chose/choose) to do whatever you want," I said. "If you're sick, you won't have a good time anyway."
choose (2 choices & happening now)
How can I possibly (chose/choose) between cookies and ice cream?
choose (2 choices & happening now)
We (chose/choose) that location because we had none of us had ever been there.
chose (1 choice & happened in the past)
In the 1800s, many people (chose/choose) to go west to start a new life.
chose (1 choice & happened last year)
The eighth graders (chose/choose) Kurt to be their student council president last year.
chose (1 choice & happened last year)
The two men behind me (choose/chose) to talk about the weather.
chose (1 topic)
"Don't (desert/dessert) me!" the injured mountain climber called to his companion through the falling snow.
desert (abandon/leave)
"I'm feeling sick, guys," said one of my friends, as soon as we picked him up at his house. "Would you be offended if I decided to (desert/dessert) you?"
desert (abandon/leave)
In wartime some frightened soldiers (desert/dessert) their posts and run away.
desert (abandon/leave)
Once, my friends and I planned a trip to the (desert/dessert).
desert (place/1 s = sand)
People often use camels instead of horses to cross the (desert/dessert).
desert (place/1 s = sand)
Water is a very important commodity in the (desert/dessert).
desert (place/1 s = sand)
"Please can we have (desert/dessert) before supper?" asked the little girl.
dessert (ss = something sweet)
I hope we have strawberry shortcake for (desert/dessert).
dessert (ss = something sweet)
The couple to my right talked about what they would have for (desert/dessert) after supper.
dessert (ss = something sweet)
We packed a lunch and some (desert/dessert) and headed out early in the morning.
dessert (ss = something sweet)
Can you (hear/here) what he is saying?
hear (with your ear)
I could (hear/here) what people all around me were saying.
hear (with your ear)
If you aren't quiet, you may not (hear/here) the teacher's instructions.
hear (with your ear)
"(Hear/Here) is your order, sir," said the man behind the counter.
here (where?)
I couldn't believe that famous band was playing (hear/here) in our town!
here (where?)
The person behind the counter said, "I don't recommend putting whipped cream on the pie you buy (hear/here)."
here (where?)
"I can't eat butter because (its/it's) made of animal fat," said the vegan.
it's (it is)
Get ready because (its/it's) about time to leave.
it's (it is)
I know (its/it's) not polite to listen in, but sometimes I can't help it!
it's (it is)
In fact, whipped cream would probably have spoiled (its/it's) flavor.
its (ownership: his, hers, its)
The old gate was falling off (its/it's) hinges.
its (ownership: his, hers, its)
The wolf guarded (its/it's) den faithfully as the pups grew.
its (ownership: his, hers, its)
My shoelace came (loose/lose), causing me to trip.
loose (rhymes with goose/extra O for excess)
Running in (loose/lose) sand is difficult.
loose (rhymes with goose/extra O for excess)
I was so happy with the worker's recommendation that I left all of my (loose/lose) change as a tip.
loose (rhymes with goose; extra O due to excess)
How could our team possibly (loose/lose) to them?
lose (4 letters: loss, lose, lost)
The women in front of me talked about whether the home team would win or (loose/lose).
lose (4 letters: loss, lose, lost)
Try not to (loose/lose) your key, or if it is lost, you will have to pay for a new one.
lose (4 letters: loss, lose, lost)
I also prefer the (peace/piece) I get in my car to the noisy hubbub of an airline terminal.
peace (calm & peace are synonyms; both are spelled with A's)
At the end of the day, there is finally (peace/piece) in the hallways of the school.
peace (calm and peace are synonyms & both spelled with an A)
The beauty pageant contestant said she wished for world (peace/piece).
peace (calm and peace are synonyms & both spelled with an A)
At the coffee shop, I ordered a (peace/piece) of pie with whipped cream on top.
piece (piece of something like pie)
May I please have another (peace/piece) of cake?
piece (piece of something like pie)
While walking around without shoes, I got a (peace/piece) of glass stuck in my foot.
piece (piece of something like pie)
I like my coffee (plane/plain), with no cream or sugar.
plain (simple & plain are synonyms & are both spelled with an I)
Some people like fancy clothes, but others prefer to wear something (plane/plain) and comfortable.
plain (simple & plain are synonyms & are both spelled with an I)
When my order came, it was (plain/plane), with no whipped cream.
plain (simple & plain are synonyms & are both spelled with an I)
However, I prefer driving a car to flying on a (plain/plane).
plane
Some people came by car, some by (plane/plain), and some by train.
plane (make into airplane to see if it fits)
Did he use a (plane/plain) in Basic Cabinetry to get the wood so smooth?
plane (tool that is complicated & not simple to use)
The wind rushing past the wings and the whine of the engines do not make for a very (quiet/quite) trip!
quiet
A well-lighted, (quiet/quite) place is best for reading.
quiet (2 syllables)
The woman used a pacifier to (quiet/quite) the baby.
quiet (2 syllables)
"Insects can actually taste (quiet/quite) good if prepared correctly," said the man on television.
quite (1 syllable/quite rhymes with white)
However, the pie was still (quiet/quite) good.
quite (1 syllable/quite rhymes with white)
I haven't (quiet/quite) figured out how to solve this problem.
quite (1 syllable/quite rhymes with white)
I like adventure stories better (than/then) romances.
than (and; 2 choices)
Is lime green more cheerful (than/then) yellow?
than (and; 2 choices)
Some people would rather fly (than/then) drive.
than (and; 2 choices)
Long before we saw the geese, we heard (their/there/they're) honks.
their (ownership; think of the i in the word as a person)
Unfortunately, (their/there/they're) fishing experience is ruined by lack of preparation.
their (ownership; think of the i in the word as a person)
Would you please ask the neighbors if we can borrow (their/there/they're) snow blower?
their (ownership; think of the i in the word as a person)
"If nobody else wants to go, (than/then) I will," said my brother.
then (next; time)
If you had a chance to live in the Old West, would you rather live now or (than/then)?
then (next; time)
They (than/then) complain when nothing goes right.
then (next; time)
"Have you ever been (their/there/they're) before?" asked my friend when I said I was going to New Orleans.
there (where?)
That tree over (their/there/they're) is over a hundred years old.
there (where?)
When heading out, a person should be ready to start fishing as soon as he or she gets (their/there/they're).
there (where?)
I suppose (their/there/they're) right sometimes, but usually fishing is fun.
they're (they are)
I like these exercises because (their/there/they're) so easy.
they're (they are)
Please bring me my keys; (their/there/they're) in the top right-hand drawer of my desk.
they're (they are)
The pitcher (threw/through) a curve ball, striking the batter out.
threw (throw)
They thought that if they simply (threw/through) their lines in, they would catch fish.
threw (throw)
When his gum got stale, Dante (threw/through) it in the trash.
threw (throw)
"I never want to go (threw/through) a storm like that again," said the pilot when he landed.
through (enter & exit; beginning & end)
For one thing, I hate going (threw/through) the metal detector line at the airport.
through (enter & exit; beginning & end)
Smoke billowed from the tunnel entrance as the steam engine came (threw/through).
through (enter & exit; beginning & end)
One of the hardest things to do in life is (to/too/two) forgive your enemies.
to
Some people go (to/too/two) the lake without really thinking about what they will do.
to
Yesterday we went (to/too/two) the amusement park.
to
I ordered a milkshake, and my sister ordered one, (to/too/two).
too (also; extra O because it's excessive)
My soup is (to/too/two) hot!
too (also; extra O because it's excessive)
Some people really like fishing; others think it is (to/too/two) boring.
too (also; extra O because it's excessive)
"Do you take one lump of sugar or (to/too/two)?" asked the lady as she served the tea.
two (number 2)
A v-twin engine has (to/too/two) cylinders.
two (number 2)
Having one or (to/too/two) rods rigged up and ready to go is a good idea.
two (number 2)
Bad (weather/whether) can be frightening when you are several miles in the air.
weather (eat outside if the weather is nice)
The (weather/whether) was so nice we stayed outside all day.
weather (eat outside if the weather is nice)
The announcer said the (weather/whether) over the weekend would be a mix of sleet and snow.
weather (eat outside if the weather is nice)
It doesn't matter (weather/whether) you win or lose, as long as you have fun playing the game.
whether (2 h's = 2 choices)
Pete couldn't decide (weather/whether) or not to go out for the play.
whether (2 h's = 2 choices)
One of the things that makes a difference is (weather/whether) or not you are properly prepared.
whether (2 h's; 2 options)