Commonly Confused WordsWeek #3

Anderson & Bult

Amount vs. Number Amount = refers to nouns that cannot be

counted. Number = refers to nouns that can be

counted.

A huge ________of lava spurted from the erupting volcano.

A ________of volcanoes are still active. Only a small ________ of people passed. Only a small ________ of butter is needed.

amount

number

number

amount

Borrow/Lend Borrow = verb - to take something with the

understanding that it must be returned The opposite of lend

Lend = verb - to give something with the understanding that it will be returned

Mari wants to ________ Victor’s bicycle. Victor will ________her the bicycle for today. Can I ________ some money? Can you _______ me some money?

borrow

lendborro

wlend

Altogether vs. All together Altogether = entirely All together = gathered, everything in one place

_________, I thought that the student’s presentation was well planned.

We were __________ at the family reunion last spring.

The critic wasn’t __________ impressed by the latest film selection.

We will leave once everything is __________.

Altogether

all together

altogether

all together

Are vs. Our Are = verb - present tense of “to be” Our = possessive pronoun meaning

“belonging to us”

We shared ______food. We _____ having fun. This is ______ time. Where ______ you going?

our

are

our

are

Assure/Ensure/Insure/Usher Assure = to convince or to guarantee Ensure = to make certain Insure = to guard against loss Usher =

Noun - a person who shows you to your seat Verb – to escort/show someone to a place

I ________you my intentions are good. Please ________ this valuable package. ________that you lock your car before leaving it. The ________took us to our seats. Security had to ________ out the unruly patron.

assure insur

eEnsure

usher

usher

Lead vs. Led Lead =

Noun - a type of metal Present tense verb – to guide

Led = verb – past tense of “lead”

Is that pipe made of _______? Which candidate will best _______the school? She _______the campers on an over-night

hike.

lead

lead

led