Writers today are dependent upon word-processing programs, which have definitely made the writing process easier. After all, unlike in the past, writers no longer have to retype pages or entire manuscripts in order to make changes. On the other hand, computer-dependency has led to carelessness on the part of many writers when it comes to word choice and spelling because writers rely upon Spell Check to identify any and all errors. The problem, however, is that Spell Check is not infallible, which is why writers need not only to proofread but also to know the difference between sound-alike words.
Although there are quite a few words that writers occasionally confuse and, therefore, misuse, some of the more common are accept and except, affect and effect, advise and advice, then and than, quite and quiet, and farther and further.
The Difference Between Accept and Except
Accept is a verb that means “to receive” or “to approve”:
- Tom’s dreamed that he accepted the Pulitzer Prize in Literature for his latest novel.
Except is a preposition that means “to exclude” or “to make an exception of”:
- Tom likes all NFL teams except the New Orleans Saints.
The Difference Between Affect and Effect
Affect is a verb that means “to influence, to attack, or to touch emotions”:
- Sue’s tears affected Tom deeply, but not enough to make him give up football.
Effect can be either a noun meaning the “result of a cause;” or a verb meaning “to produce an effect.”
- The effect of Sue’s tears on Tom was not profound enough to make him give up football.
- The hot toddy Tom drank for his cold effected a cure.
The Difference Between Advise and Advice
Advise is a verb meaning “to counsel,” “to recommend,” or “to give advice.”
- Tom’s agent, Barkley B. Bookworm, advised him to write a little every day.
Advice is a noun meaning “recommendation,” “guidance,” or “suggestion.”
- Tom decided that he needed to take his agent’s advice and write a little every day.
The Difference Between Then and Than
Then is an adverb meaning “after,” “afterward,” “next,” or “later.
- Tom watched tapes of a football game then fell asleep on the sofa.
Than is a conjunction used for comparison.
- Tom said, “The Atlanta Falcons are a much better team than the New Orleans Saints.”
The Difference Between Quiet and Quite
Quiet is an adjective meaning “free of noise,” “silent,” or “hushed;” or it can be a noun meaning “silence,” “stillness,” or “tranquility;” or it can be a verb meaning “to calm down,” “to silence,” “to cease being noisy.”
- Tom liked the house quiet so he could hear the football game. (Adjective)
- Tom found the cat’s yowling disturbed the quiet. (Noun)
- Tom quieted the cat by throwing a shoe at it. (Verb)
Quite is an adverb meaning “fairly,” “rather,” “moderately,” “very,” or “completely.”
- Sue glared at Tom and said, “I’ve had quite enough of your laziness. Now, get up off that sofa!”
The Difference Between Farther and Further
Although these two words are often used interchangeably, preferred usage is “farther” for geographic distance, and “further” when referring to “additional” or “time;” for example,
- Tom told Sue he was late for dinner because there was a detour and it was farther from town by the back roads.
- Sue said, “You’ll have to provide further proof than that if you expect me to believe you.”
- Without further ado, Tom stumbled from the room.
The examples provided are but a few of the many commonly confused words. The point, however, is that writers need to know the definitions of words and rely upon their own knowledge instead of some computer program that, while perhaps helpful, is really no match for the human brain.
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