Affect vs. Effect
Affect is a verb meaning to influence. Effect is a noun meaning result.
While the student didn’t see how studying affected his test-taking, the positive effects soon became clear.
Lie vs. Lay
Lie is a verb meaning to recline or rest on a surface. Lay is a verb meaning to put or place.
Kim lies down to take a nap every day at 3:30 p.m. Before falling asleep, Kim lays her bracelet on the table.
Lose vs. Loose
Lose is a verb meaning to misplace. Loose is an adjective meaning slack, moveable, or weak.
I always manage to lose my loose-fitting tank top.
Anyway vs. Any way
Anyway is an adverb meaning regardless. Any way is a phrase meaning any manner or method.
I don’t want to go to the party, anyway. We could take any way we want to get to the party.
That vs. Which
That is used when the phrase or clause that follows it is necessary in the sentence. Which is used when the phrase or clause that follows it is not necessary.
Students that fail to thoroughly proofread often miss unnecessary points. Procrastinated papers, which students write often, fail to lead to the desired grades for their classes.
Who vs. Whom
Who is a pronoun used as the subject of a sentence. Whom is a pronoun used as a direct object.
Who is responsible for the research on this group project? We assigned research to whom for this group project?
NOTE: As a general rule, if you can substitute “she” then “who” is the appropriate choice. If you can substitute “her” then “whom” is the appropriate choice.
