Quick Answer To shows direction or comes before a verb. Too means “also” or “too much.” They sound the same but mean very different things. ✓ I went to the shop. (direction) ✓ This bag is too heavy. (too much) To and Too — See the Difference Look at these sentences. Can you spot when…
Quick Answer Both shined and shone are correct past tense forms of shine. Use shined when someone does something to an object (like polishing shoes). Use shone when something gives light by itself (like the sun or stars). Shine, Shined, Shone — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. Can you see when we use…
Quick Answer There means a place, or starts a sentence like “there is.” Their means something belongs to them. They’re is short for “they are.” They all sound the same, but they mean three very different things. There, Their, and They’re — See the Difference These three words sound exactly the same when you say…
Quick Answer A principle is a rule or belief. A principal is the main person or thing (like the head of a school). “Honesty is an important principle.” “The principal spoke to the students.” Principle and Principal — See the Difference These two words sound exactly the same, but they mean different things. Look at…
Quick Answer Use there is before one thing. Use there are before two or more things. For example: “There is a cat on the bed” but “There are two cats on the bed.” There Is and There Are — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. Can you see when we use there is and…
The use of “illicit” implies a judgment about the legality or appropriateness of an action, such as “illicit trade.” Whereas “elicit” focuses on the action of extracting or bringing forth a reply or reaction, as in, “The question elicited a strong response.” It’s important to not only recognize the grammatical differences—adjective versus verb—but also to…
Quick Answer Ensure = make sure something happens. Insure = buy insurance (money protection). Assure = tell a person “do not worry.” “I will ensure the door is locked.” “We insured the car.” “She assured me it was safe.” Ensure, Insure, and Assure — See the Difference These three words look and sound almost the…
Quick Answer Awhile (one word) means “for a short time.” Use it after a verb. A while (two words) means “a period of time.” Use it after words like for, in, or after. ✓ Stay awhile. (= Stay for a short time.) ✓ Stay for a while. (= Stay for a period of time.) Awhile…
Quick Answer Cite means to mention or quote a source. Site means a place or location. Sight means the ability to see, or something you see. They all sound the same, but they mean three very different things. Cite, Site, and Sight — See the Difference These three words sound exactly the same when you…
Quick Answer The past tense of sweep is swept. “Sweeped” is not a real word. Use swept for the past and with have/has/had. Every day: I sweep the floor. Yesterday: I swept the floor. Many times: I have swept the floor this week. Sweep, Swept — See the Pattern Read these sentences. Look at how…
