The right word.
Every time.
Memorable explanations for commonly confused words, with examples, quick tests, and FAQs that make the difference clear.
Latest word guides
10 articlesAffect vs. Effect
Affect is usually a verb meaning “to influence,” while effect is usually a noun meaning “a result.” If something changes another thing, it affects it; the change that follows is the effect.
Your vs. You’re
Your shows possession: your idea, your phone, your turn. You’re is a contraction of you are. If you can replace the word with you are and the sentence still works, use you’re.
To vs. Too
To usually marks direction, destination, or an infinitive verb. Too means “also” or “more than necessary.” If you can replace the word with also or excessively, choose too with two o’s.
Led vs. Lead
Led is the past tense and past participle of the verb lead: she led the team. Lead, pronounced “leed,” is the present-tense verb. Lead, pronounced “led,” is also the name of a metal.
Canceled vs. Cancelled
Canceled and cancelled are both correct. Canceled, with one l, is preferred in American English. Cancelled, with two l’s, is preferred in British English and is also common in other varieties of English.
Separate vs. Seperate
Separate is the correct spelling. Seperate is a common misspelling and should not be used in standard English. Separate can be a verb meaning divide or an adjective meaning distinct.
Its vs. It’s
Its is the possessive form of it: the company changed its policy. It’s is a contraction of it is or it has. If you can expand the word to it is or it has, use the apostrophe.
Who’s vs. Whose
Who’s is a contraction of who is or who has. Whose asks about or identifies possession. If who is or who has fits the sentence, use who’s; otherwise, possession usually requires whose.
Was vs. Were
Was is generally used with I, he, she, it, and singular subjects in the past. Were is used with you, we, they, and plural subjects. In hypothetical statements, formal English often uses were for every subject.
Former vs. Latter
Former refers to the first of two people or things just mentioned; latter refers to the second. Use the pair only when exactly two choices are clear, and repeat the nouns when either reference could confuse the reader.