Confusing Words Name __________________________
Employers continue to complain about employees who can’t spell or who confuse common words. Poor
language skills make employees and employers look bad. Try your skill with these sentences. Check your
responses against the key and vow to master the definitions of any words you confuse.
1. In business reports writers must (site, cite, sight) their sources of information.
2. It is (to, too, two) soon to know whether either of the (to, too, two) plans will work.
3. My manager checks sales (everyday, every day) as part of his (everyday, every day) routine.
12. The CEO had a (stationery, stationary) bicycle in his office.
13. So frightened was she that her eyes (wavered, waivered) from side to side.
Confusing Words Key
1. In business reports writers must cite their sources of information.
cite: to quote; to summon
site: location
sight: a view; to see
3. My manager checks sales every day as part of his everyday routine.
every day: each single day
everyday: ordinary
4. After the restructuring, the company then offered higher salaries than anyone expected.
then: adverb meaning “at that time”
than: conjunction showing comparison
6. News of the merger immediately affected the stock market.
affect: to influence
effect: (n) outcome, result; (v) to bring about, to create
7. Elena was surprised and grateful when she received the award.
grateful: appreciative
greatful: misspelled word
10. If there are no further objections, we will proceed with the agenda items.
further: additional precede: to go before
farther: a greater distance proceed: to continue
11. We should not imply agreement with an Asian’s head nod; it may merely mean I hear what
you are saying.
13. So frightened was she that her eyes wavered from side to side.
waiver: abandonment of a claim
waver: to shake or fluctuate
14. When flames began to envelop the building, fire fighters knew they were losing
the battle.