Comments on: Commonly Confused Words

By: Cathy Stucker

Cathy Stucker — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:23:44 +0000

“Affect” is usually a verb and “effect” is usually a noun.

“Having a cold will affect your sense of smell.”
“The prescription had an immediate effect.”

One way to remember is that verbs are action words. “Action” begins with an “a,” as does “affect.” A little clumsy, but it may get the job done for you. ;o)

By: Doris

Doris — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:43:25 +0000

I have problems with effect and affect. Anyone have a hint and how to determine which one to use?

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:24:16 +0000

Working as a watchmaker for many years I was often presented with watches that were loosing – instead of losing – time. A very common error. I also hate to someone write “I could of…” instead of “I could have…”

By: Big Rick

Big Rick — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:27:53 +0000

Effect and affect – I never know which is appropriate.

By: Cathy Stucker

Cathy Stucker — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:53:16 +0000

Those would be easy to confuse because the spelling is so similar. I have probably mis-keyed them at times, too.

For the record, “where” is about a place: “Where did I leave my keys?” “Were” is the past plural of “was”: “We were all happy that I found my keys.”

By: momof5inpa

momof5inpa — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:31:56 +0000

Words that trip me up:

Where, were