| A | B |
|---|
| different from | use in most cases |
| different than | use when it is followed by a clause |
| disburse | to pay out funds |
| disperse | to spread out or break up |
| discreet | showing good judgment, unobtrusive |
| discrete | distinct, separate |
| effect, affect | see affect |
| envelop | to cover or surround |
| envelope | a flat paper folder or case (usually for a letter) |
| example | prototype, or something that serves as a pattern (noun) |
| sample | as a verb – to take a sample of or from |
| sample | as a noun - representative item from a larger whole |
| accept | to receive or to believe |
| except | other than |
| farther | refers to physical distance |
| further | to a greater degree or extent |
| female | use in scientific or legal materials |
| woman | the more personal, acceptable term for female |
| fewer | refers to a number of countable units |
| less | refers to value, degree, or bulk quantity |
| fiscal | related to financial matters |
| physical | related to material things |
| for | directed to, or in favor of (preposition) |
| for | because of (conjunction) |
| fore | as an adjective – earlier or forward |
| fore | as a noun – the front |
| four | the number 4 |
| former | from an earlier time |
| latter | closer to the end or recent |
| former / latter | when speaking of two things, former refers to the first thing and latter to the second) |
| good | an adjective, never an adverb (Good work should be well rewarded) |
| well | nearly always an adverb, except state of health = well (Please go home if you’re not feeling well.) |
| hear | to perceive by the ear (verb) |
| here | of or in this place (adverb) |
| heard | past tense of the verb hear |
| herd | as a noun - group of animals |
| herd | as a verb – to keep or move a group of animals |
| hole | an opening or a gap (a noun) |
| whole | as an adjective – complete or entire |
| whole | as a noun – an entire or complete entity |
| immigrate (to) | to come into a new country to reside there |
| emigrate (from) | to leave one country to live in another |
| imply | to suggest, hint, or communicate indirectly (writers and speakers imply) |
| infer | to deduce, or conclude from (readers and listeners infer) |
| insure | to secure from harm or loss (refers to insurance car, house, life, health, and so on) |
| ensure | to make certain |
| assure | to put someone’s mind at rest |
| irregardless (not a word) | substandard form of regardless |
| regardless | irrespective of; notwithstanding; in spite of |
| it’s | contraction of it is (It's cold outside.) |
| its | possessive form of it (I like the sweater's color; I also like its fit and its size.) |
| kind of | used informally to mean somewhat or rather, avoid using in formal communication |
| sort of | used informally to mean somewhat or rather, avoid using in formal communication |
| knew | past tense of the verb know |
| new | recent, original, or fresh |
| later | as an adverb – after a period of time |
| latter | referring to the second of two things (noun) |
| lay | to put or place something (principal parts are lay, laid, laid--needs direct object) |
| lie | to rest or recline (principal parts are lie, lay, lain--no direct object) |
| learn | to acquire knowledge |
| teach | to impart knowledge |
| leave | to depart from or to let something remain behind |
| let | to allow |
| lend | to give the use of temporarily |
| borrow | to obtain for temporary use |
| fewer | refers to a number of countable units |
| less | refers to value, degree, or bulk quantity |
| liable | responsible according to the law or exposed to an adverse action |
| libel | a false or unfavorable written statement about someone |
| likely | very probable or reliable |
| like | use to introduce a phrase (preposition) |
| as | in formal writing, use to introduce clauses (conjunction) |
| as if | in formal writing, use to introduce clauses (conjunction) |
| man, mankind | use humankind, humans, or humanity; do not use mankind for the human race (excludes women) |
| amount | refers to things in bulk or mass |
| number | refers to separate units that can be counted |
| ok, okay | only use informally |
| passed | went by or gone by (past tense of the verb to pass) |
| past (noun) | as a noun – time gone by |
| past (adjective) | as an adjective preceding |
| past (preposition) | as a preposition after or beyond |
| percent | part of one hundred, is used with a specific number |
| percentage | refers to a portion of the whole and is not used with a specific number |
