Weird, Tricky Words Weird Words and Tricks to Remember Them
Weird, Tricky Words
Weird Words and Tricks to Remember Them
Lay vs. Lie
Definitions: Lie = to rest, to recline, to be in a place Lay = to put something in place Sentences:– Once upon a time, there was a malevolent dragonthat liked to _________ on top of his stupendoustreasure.– The villagers __________ extra treasure at his doorto keep his odious fire breath from consuming theirhomes.
Lay vs. Lie
Trick to RememberLIE= RECLINE
VS.LAY=PLACE
Sit vs. Set
Definitions:Sit=to rest in a seated position Set= to put (something) in placeSentences:
One humid summer day, dapper knight was___________ outside the towns large gate.
When he __________ his shield beside him, he found a fey sword wedged in the ground.
Sit vs.Set
Trick to RememberSIT= POSITION
VS.SET= WHERE IT GOES
Rise vs. Raise
Definitions:Rise = to go up or get up Raise = to lift upSentences:The dapper knight tried to ___________ fromhis seat; meanwhile, he attempted to___________ the fey object from the damp,soft ground.
Rise vs. Raise
RISE=“RISE and Shine” When you GET UPout of bed.
VS.RAISE=I RAISE my hand to voice myopinion.
Accept VS. Except
Definitions:Accept= to receive; to getExcept= to exclude; leave outSentences:The dapper knight knew that unless he_______________ help from someoneincredibly strong, that the fey fork wouldnever be his. _____________, of course, if he was helpedby one stronger than he.
Accept VS. Except
Trick to Remember:ACCEPT = GET something
Vs.EXCEPT = EXclude something or someone
Affect vs. Effect
Affect vs. EffectDefinitions:Affect = to influence; to change (verb)Effect = the result of an action; consequence (noun)Sentences:The heat of the day and the weight of hisgleaming armor was _____________ hisability to pull the fork.
This ___________ frustrated the poor, dapperknight.
Affect vs. Effect
Trick to Remember:AFFECT = CHANGE
VS.EFFECT = special EFFECTS
To VS. Too VS. Two
Definitions:To = moving in a direction toward.
Too = also or in addition to
Two= 1+1=2Sentences:The dragon moved his head through the ground______ help the dapper knight. The _________warriors together, were able to devise a plan thathelped the villagers, _______.
To VS. Too VS. Two
Trick to Remember:TO = going towards
TOO = ALSO; to include an extra
TWO = number
There VS. Their VS. They’re
There VS. Their VS. They’reDefinitions:There = a place away from where you areTheir = possessive form of they.They’re = contraction meaning they are.
Sentences:– “_________ seems to be a miscommunication, dearsir,” the knight retorted. “The villagers, ___________scared of you, if you helped me you could end_______________ fear of you.”
There VS. Their VS. They’re
Trick to Remember:THERE = wHERE (both end in HERE)
THEIR = possessIve (contains I; I OWN)
They’re = They are
Capital VS. Capitol
Definitions:Capital = an upper case letterVS.Capitol = the governing city of a state or country.
Sentences:– “A witch?” the dapper knight pondered. “Oh, yes, awitch,” the dragon indignantly replied. “She lives in acastle at the _______, and she is a witch with a______ W, if you know what I mean…”
Capital VS. Capitol
Capital = A is the first letter in the alphabetso it means a capital letter.
VS.Capitol = O like the dome of the capitolbuilding
Its VS. It’s
Definitions:Its: possessive form of it; it ownsIt’s: contraction meaning it is
Sentences: “____ not going to be easy,” the dragonreplied, ____ head bowing in fear. “But Iwould be honored to fight alongside you.”
Its VS. It’s
ITS= Possessive
IT’S = It is
Principal VS. Principle
Definitions:Principal: the person in charge of a schoolPrinciple: a rule or standard
Sentences: Once they reached the formidable wall of thecapit_l, the dragon and knight were halted byan eloquent man. “Hello, I am the only _____in this town,” he said. “We have a _____ herethat no one can enter the capit_l without doinga scintillating rendition of the hokey pokey.”
Principal VS. Principle
PRINCIPAL = the principal should be yourPAL
PRINCIPLE = RULE
Stationary vs. Stationery
Definitions:Stationary –standing stillStationery – writing materials
SentencesThe prince was ___________ as the dragon entered. The scribe got out the _________ to record the events of the day.
Stationary –STAND still
Stationery – WRITE something
May vs. Can
DefinitionsMay – to be permitted (verb)Can – to be able (verb)
The key difference between can and may is that can talks about ability and may talks about permission.
Which is correct?Can I go to the bathroom?May I go to the bathroom?
Leave vs. Let
DefinitionsLeave (verb used with an object)To go out of or away from, as a placeLet (verb used with an object)To allow or permit
SentenceThe knight was going to _________ the kingdom for the
battle.The queen will ______ him take the noble steed with him
on his journey.
Teach vs. Learn
Teach -is an irregular verb (teach / taught / taught - teaching), that means to give someone knowledge or to train someone; to instruct.
Learn - is an irregular verb (learn / learnt / learnt - learning), that means to gain knowledge or skill in a new subject or activity and make yourself remember it.
SentencesMy teacher _______ me not to use slang.I will _________ not to use slang in formal writing.
Between Vs. Among
Between - (preposition)Used with two itemsAmong – (preposition)Used with three or more items
SentencesThe negotiations between Argentina and Chile are going well.The negotiations among the countries of South America are going well.
Ok, now it is your turn…
To test your shoulder partner,You should write 5 fill-in-the-blank
sentences. Then, exchange them so that they can fill in the correct answers
Example: All of you will receive an A+ on your test, _____
the one student that does not study. (accept, except)
What grade did you earn?