Lesson 6: Words Often Confused B and C

Definition

complement [noun] something that makes whole or complete [verb] to make whole or complete
compliment [noun] praise; respect [verb] to express praise, appreciation, or respect

Explanation

Think of a compliment with an 'i' as something nice I might say to someone. A complement, on the other hand, helps to complete something, like cheese complements a good wine. The spelling is your biggest clue! It's all about whether you are giving praise or making something whole.

Examples

• A beautiful frame can complement a piece of art. [to make complete]
• The teacher gave the student a compliment on her well-written essay. [praise]
• The sauce will perfectly complement the flavor of the pasta.

Definition

desert [noun] a dry, barren, sandy region; a wilderness [verb] to abandon; to leave
dessert [noun] a sweet, final course of a meal

Explanation

Here's a sweet tip: dessert has two 's's because you usually want a second serving! The dry, sandy desert only has one 's'. The verb desert, meaning to abandon, is spelled the same as the place but is pronounced differently. Always check the context to know which word is correct.

Examples

• Cacti and other succulents grow well in the hot desert. [dry region]
• A soldier must never desert their post. [to abandon]
• After the main course, we all enjoyed a delicious chocolate dessert.

Definition

formally [adverb] in a strict or dignified manner
formerly [adverb] previously

Explanation

To act formally means to follow a 'formal' or proper code of conduct, like at a fancy event. The word formerly contains 'former', which refers to something in the past. If you're talking about what something used to be, you need formerly.

Examples

• The guests were dressed formally for the wedding ceremony.
• This hotel was formerly a grand old movie theater.

Definition

its [possessive form of the pronoun it] belonging to it
it’s [contraction of it is or it has]

Explanation

Here is a simple test: if you can replace the word with 'it is' or 'it has', then you must use it's. If that substitution does not work, the correct choice is its. Remember that possessive pronouns like its, his, and hers do not use an apostrophe to show ownership.

Examples

• The company announced its plans for expansion.
• It's likely to snow tomorrow. [It is]
• It's been a very long day. [It has]

Definition

lead [verb, rhymes with feed] to go first; to guide or direct
led [verb, past tense of lead] went first
lead [noun, rhymes with red] a heavy metal; graphite used in a pencil

Explanation

Pronunciation is the key! The verb lead (to guide) rhymes with 'need'. Its past-tense form is led, which rhymes with 'bed'. The noun lead (the metal in a pencil) also rhymes with 'bed'. If you're describing an action that already happened, you almost always want led.

Examples

• Who will lead the discussion during the meeting? [verb, present tense]
• The detective led the suspect to the interrogation room. [verb, past tense]
• This old pipe is made of lead. [noun, metal]

Definition

loose [adjective, rhymes with goose] not tight; free; not confined
lose [verb, rhymes with snooze] to suffer loss

Explanation

If your belt is not tight, it is loose (it has two 'o's, just like 'goose'). If you misplace your keys, you lose them (it rhymes with 'choose'). Loose is an adjective that describes something, while lose is a verb that describes an action. The extra 'o' in loose can remind you of something 'roomy' or not tight.

Examples

• A loose wire was the cause of the electrical problem.
• I hope our team does not lose the championship game.

Definition

passed [verb, past tense of pass] went by; successfully completed a course of study
past [noun] time gone by [preposition] beyond; farther than [adjective] ended; gone by

Explanation

Passed is always a verb. It's the action of having 'passed by' something or 'passed a test'. Past is more versatile—it can be a noun referring to history (the past), a preposition showing location (walk past the school), or an adjective describing time (the past few weeks).

Examples

• The car passed us on the highway. [verb]
• He walked right past the store without noticing it. [preposition]
• In the past, people communicated mainly through letters. [noun]

Definition

quiet [adjective] still; silent
quite [adverb] completely; rather; very

Explanation

Don't let the similar spelling fool you! Quiet is an adjective that describes a state of silence or stillness, like a library. Quite is an adverb that intensifies another word, meaning 'very' or 'rather'. You can be quiet, but a movie can be quite exciting.

Examples

• The forest was quiet in the early morning.
• We were quite surprised to see her at the party.

Definition

than [conjunction used for comparisons]
then [adverb] at that time; next

Explanation

Use than with an 'a' when making a comparison. Use then with an 'e' when referring to time or a sequence of events. Think of it this way: 'A' is for comparing apples and oranges, while 'E' is for events that happen one after another.

Examples

• An elephant is much larger than a mouse.
• First, mix the ingredients; then, bake the cake for thirty minutes.

Definition

their [possessive form of the pronoun they] belonging to them
there [adverb] at that place [expletive, used to begin a sentence]

Explanation

Their shows ownership; notice it has the word 'heir' in it, which relates to inheritance and possession. There tells you 'where' something is; it contains the word 'here', which points to a location. Use their for what they own, and there for a place.

Examples

• The players celebrated their victory after the game.
• Can you please wait for me over there?
• There are cookies on the kitchen counter.