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.
8. His (principal, principle) reason for taking the job was its location.
9. The hotel (formally, formerly) known as the Sands (formally, formerly) reopened as the Oasis.
10. If there are no (farther, further) objections, we will (precede, proceed) with the agenda items.
Confusing Words Key
1. In business reports writers must cite their sources of information.
2. It is too soon to know whether either of the two plans will work.
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.
5. They’re going to put their backpacks over there near the door.
6. News of the merger immediately affected the stock market.
7. Elena was surprised and grateful when she received the award.
8. His principal reason for taking the job was its location.
9. The hotel formerly known as the Sands formally reopened as the Oasis.
formerly: in the past
formally: in a formal manner
10. If there are no further objections, we will proceed with the agenda items.
11. We should not imply agreement with an Asian’s head nod; it may merely mean I hear what
12. The CEO had a stationary bicycle in his office.
13. So frightened was she that her eyes wavered from side to side.
14. When flames began to envelop the building, fire fighters knew they were losing
15. Rick was certain he could finish the 16-week course.
coarse: rough texture
course: a route; a part of a meal; a unit of learning