17 Confusing Word Combos That Make You Want to Quit Writing

As if writing a book isn’t hard enough, the English language can make it downright aggravating when it comes to editing your book. I know some writers who refuse to edit their own work because it’ll make them never want to write again! 

Between the complicated punctuation rules, the FANBOYS, the sentence-ending prepositions, and the participles that seem to always want to dangle… it’s a LOT to manage. And then there’s these sneaky buggers: homophones and homonyms (words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings… and make you lose your marbles). 

But never fear! We’re going to make it easier for you to keep the words flowing without wanting to throw the keyboard in the nearest trash can. Let’s break down 17 of the most commonly confused word combos that I see as an editor. 

And I’m going to keep it real with you (because we’re friends): If you can figure out how to keep these straight, your editor will love you. If you can’t, your editor will still love you. (We’re basically the Grammar Police, so this is kind of how we get down with our bad selves.)

Accept vs. Except

• * Accept is to receive. (She accepts criticism well.)
• * Except is to take or leave out. (You can call me anytime except after 7pm.)

Chose vs. Choose

• * Chose is the past tense form of this verb. (She chose to stay home yesterday.)
• * Choose is the present tense form. (She will choose the tacos if we eat there.

Entire vs. Whole  

• * Entire comes from “complete” and means that no part has been left out. This typically refers to a set or collection. (I watched the entire series of Schitts Creek in one weekend.) 
• * Whole comes from “unhurt” and means a single object that has not been subdivided. (I tried not to eat the whole cake, but somehow it’s gone!)

Farther vs. Further

• * Farther refers to physical distance. (I drove farther in one day than I did the previous three days.)
• * Further refers to distance metaphorically rather than in a measurable sense. (I work hard every day to further advance my career.)

For vs. Four vs. Fore

• * For is a preposition that means “because of,” “directed to,” or “in favor of.” (I would go for the black dress.)
• * Four is the number 4 spelled out. (I have four kids.)
• * Fore means “earlier” or “forward” as an adjective; as a noun, it means “the front.” (That issue came to the fore in our last meeting.)

Home vs. Hone

• * Home is used as a verb meaning to move or be aimed toward a particular target. (He used the radar to home in on the target.)
• * Hone means to sharpen or make more accurate. (He practiced for weeks to hone his archery skills.)

Its vs. It’s

• * Its is a possessive pronoun meaning “belonging to it.” (When I read a book, I always look up its author.)
• * It’s is a contraction of “it” and “is.” (With the library just one block from my house, it’s no wonder I love to read.)

Lead vs. Led vs. Lead

• * Lead when it has a hard “e” sound means to guide or to be first. (Lead the way, Captain!)
• * Led is the past tense of the verb “to lead,” which means to guide or to be first. (He led us through the forest.)
• * Lead when it rhymes with “head” refers to a type of metal. (Is this metal frame made of lead?)

Lie vs. Lay

• * Lie means to recline; the past tense is “lay,” so you have to watch this one. (She will lie down for a nap. OR, She lay back and looked up at the stars.)
• * Lay means to put or to place; the past tense is “laid.” (She will lay your clothes on the bed. OR, She laid your clothes on the bed.)

Lose vs. Loose

• * Lose is a verb that means to misplace something or to not win at a game or contest. (He was worried he would lose his keys. OR, He was sad to lose the game.)
• * Loose is the opposite of tight. (His pants were loose from all that weight he lost.)

Passed vs. Past

• * Passed is the past tense verb of “to pass,” meaning to have moved. (She passed my house four times now. OR, I passed my class with an A.)
• * Past means to belong to a former time or place. (She spent the past three years teaching elementary school. OR, She drove past my house four hours ago.)

Peak vs. Peek vs. Pique

• * Peak is the topmost point of something. (She climbed to the mountain’s peak. OR, I hit my peak performance in my 20s.)
• * Peek is to take a small look at something. (He took a peek at her cards when she wasn’t looking.)
• * Pique is to upset or excite someone. (Her intent in wearing that red dress was to pique his interest.)

Than vs. Then

• * Than is used to compare two things. (Sally is taller than Jimmy.)
• * Then is used to indicate sequence or timing. (We stopped at my parents’ house for a quick visit, and then traveled north to the cabin.)

Their vs. There vs. They’re

• * Their is the possessive form of “they.” (Their kids are wild maniacs!)
• * There indicates a location. (We looked there but couldn’t find it.)
• * They’re is a contraction of “they” and “are.” (They’re so nice but almost too nice.)

To vs. Too vs. Two 

• * To is a preposition that can indicate direction; it can also be used in the infinitive form of verbs. (She drove to work. OR, He likes to be the center of attention.)
• * Too is used to mean “also”; it is also used as an intensifier. (I want to come too! OR, That line is too long for me.)
• * Two is the number 2 spelled out. (She is two years old.)

Whose vs. Who’s

• * Whose is a possessive pronoun meaning “belonging to.” (Whose car is parked in my driveway?)
• * Who’s is a contraction of “who” and “is.” (Who’s going to pick me up from work?)

Yield vs. Wield

• * Yield, as used today, is to “give way” or surrender, relinquish, or capitulate. (Expect him to yield to the enemy.)
• * Wield is to command, rule over, possess, or handle with skill and ease. (If he comes at me, I shall wield my sword!)

Phew! If you’re not anxiously biting your nails by now, there’s hope for you yet! I’d love to hear in the comments what word combos you’d add to this list (because, we all know there’s more than 17!). 

And if you’d like to work with a pro to navigate the editing minefield, check out our editing services to see how we can help.

Stay calm and write on!

Creatively yours,