Avoiding Common Word Mistakes in Your Writing

Word problems and confusion can cause confusion for both writers and readers. Is it "affecting" or perhaps "effecting" the quality of your writing? And if "it's" (or is it "its") making it difficult for your readers to understand your writing, then you want to "insure" (or maybe "ensure") that you're using the correct word. Spell checkers are great, but they won't always catch when you use a word that sounds like the word you want to use, but you've actually used the wrong word.

Here are some words that cause the most confusion for writers today and some examples of their correct usage.

Advice vs. Advise

When spoken out loud, you can clearly hear the difference between these two words. One is a noun (with a "c") and the other is a verb (with an "s").

I would like your advice on this matter. I will advise the team not to go on the trip.

Insure vs. Ensure

When you "insure" something, you're taking out an insurance policy against it. To "ensure" means to make sure something happens.

I will ensure I protect this valuable painting. I will insure it for a lot of money.

Its vs. It's

"Its" is possessive while "it's" is "it is" shortened. The missing letters are replaced by the apostrophe.

The company will celebrate its anniversary with a party. It's going to be at the country club.

To vs. Too vs. Two

You should always use "to" unless you mean something in excess ("too") or the number "two."

Mary went to the party. There was too much food. It would take two people to eat all of it.

Who's vs. Whose

The contraction "who's" mean "who is" while "whose" means belonging to.

Who's going to the show? Whose jacket is this?

Your vs. You're

"Your" is possessive while "you're" is a contraction of "you are."

You're going to hurt yourself if you don't wear a helmet. Your helmet