Lesson 2: Confusing Words

Hello again. Time for some grammar and usage! Today we are going to discuss some words that people misuse often. Grammar is not a fun subject to talk about or learn (even for us English majors), but this is a pretty simple topic to start the series of grammar lessons. Even though it is hard to master these words, one thing that makes it very nice and manageable is the motto of "when in doubt, look it up."

1. Affect/ effect. Affect is a verb, meaning "to influence/have an effect on." Effect as a noun means "an outcome/result." As a verb it means "to make happen or produce."

2. Already/ all ready. Already refers to time while all ready refers to preparation. Ex.- The class had already started by the time Suzi woke up. She had to get all ready to go in 5 minutes.

3. Altogether/ all together. Altogether means "entirely/wholly" and all together means "unity of time of place."

4. Born/ borne. Born is an adjective (ex.- a born ruler) or a passive-voice verb (ex.- the child was born on Christmas Eve). Borne is the past participle (kind of like past tense) of bear (ex.- he has borne many burdens alone).

5. Can/ may. Can refers to physical or mental ability while may refers to possibility. (Remember grade school when you got reprimanded for saying "Can I go to the bathroom?")

Okay, now the list can go on forever and ever and ever. But you get the idea. And, the bottom line is, look it up! Don't think that you can memorize all these things, because you'll end up making some pretty grievous mistakes if that's your mind set. Remember, always better safe than sorry!