accept, except

 

Accept means “to receive”. Example: Please accept my gift.

Except means “not including”. Example: I brought all the gifts except yours.

 

advice, advise 

 

Advice is an “opinion about what should be done”. Example: She gives good advice.

Advise means “to recommend”. Example: Please advise me on what to do.

 

affect, effect

 

Affect means “to influence”. Example: Do not let the loss affect you.

An effect is “a result”. Example: The loss did not have an effect on me

 

all ready, already

 

All ready means “everything is ready”. Example: We are all ready to move.

Already means “previously”. Example: We already moved our things yesterday.

 

buy, by 

 

Buy means “to purchase”. Example: Please buy me a ticket.

By means “beside”. Example: The book is by the table.

 

choose, chose

 

Choose means “to select”. Example: Today, I will choose a new house.

Chose is the past tense of choose. Example: Yesterday, I chose a new house.

 

complement, compliment

 

Complement means “to make complete”. Example: This hat will complement my new dress.

A compliment is something said in praise. Example: Thank you for the compliment about my dress.

 

emigrate, immigrate

 

Emigrate means “to leave one country to settle in another”. Example: I intend to emigrate from Hong Kong.

Immigrate means “to come to live in a new country”. Example: I intend to immigrate to Canada.

 

it’s, its

 

It’s is the short form of “it is”. Example: It’s in the dog house.

Its is a pronoun that shows ownership or possession. Example: The dog has its own house.

 

loose, lose

 

Loose means “not tight”. Example: My pants are loose.

Lose means “to be defeated or no longer have”. Example: I do not want to lose the game.

 

past, passed

 

Past means “gone by” or “history”. Example: The car drove past my house.

My past is very interesting.

Passed is the past tense of pass. Example: We passed the truck earlier.

 

principal, principle

 

A principal is the head of a school. Example: The principal spoke to us today.

A principle is an important fact or law. Example: The principle of democracy is important to Canadians.