Commonly Confused Words Teacher Resources

Although not quite as confusing as their, they're, and there, many people have difficulty with lead, lead (the toxic metallic), and led. Review these basic sentences with your third and fourth graders, and have them complete the short...

Can is one of the most commonly misused words. In actuality, may should be used in many of the sentences can tends to appear in. Review these example sentences with your third and fourth graders, and then have them complete the short,...

So many words are easily confused in the English language. Take precede and proceed, for example. Look at the example sentences provided here, and then have your learners take the short quiz. Have they mastered these vocabulary terms?

Do your kids confuse role and roll? Discuss the difference with them, show them the example sentences provided, and have them take the short quiz that follows. 

Understanding the spelling and meaning of homophones is particularly difficult for English language learners. This online quiz focuses on 20 different sets of homophones. The learner reads the sentence and decides which word fits best. 

If you want a list of commonly confused words, this worksheet is useful; however, the exercise itself is not worth the paper it's printed on. It includes 20 words suitable for middle school. Examples include personal and personnel,...

Display this list of commonly misspelled and frequently confused words for your learners. Though there is no interactive component, this handout is a great reference tool comparing many homophones such as sole and soul. One tip...

Although this design is sorely lacking in rigor and is not appropriate for the designated eighth grade, the list of commonly misspelled words may be useful for you to design your own exercise. Examples include ascent and assent,...

The class works together to tackle easily confused words. Each learner receives a word and he or she must create a flashcard with the following things: the word, its definition, an original sentence that uses the word, and a picture...

For this easily confused words:  e.g. and i.e. worksheet, students read definitions and examples of both words, then interactively answer 3 multiple choice questions with immediate online feedback.

This instructional activity helps to understand when to use commonly confused words. It includes definitions, writing exercises, and questions that require paraphrasing the meaning of sentences. A good exercise for middle schoolers, or...

In this easily confused words:  descent, decent, dissent worksheet, students read the definitions and examples of each word, then interactively answer 3 multiple choice questions with immediate online feedback.

In this easily confused words:  that, which and who worksheet, students read the rules by linking to other lessons, then interactively select the correct word in 5 sentences with immediate online feedback.

In this easily confused words:  if and whether worksheet, middle schoolers read the explanations and examples for both words, then interactively complete 4 multiple choice sentences with immediate online feedback.

Keep your spellers and punctuators in tip-top shape with some practice with commonly misspelled words. Learners choose the correct option from two choices and then rewrite each sentence.

Affect or effect? Ensure, insure or assure? Here’s a presentation that focuses on commonly misused words that sound similar yet have different spelling and meanings. The homonyms are defined and then examples are presented. Consider...

What's the difference between an allegory and an alligator? Fifth graders work with malapropisms to determine the meanings of words that sound alike. Five sentences challenge them to find the malapropism and change it to the correct...

In this confusing words activity, students complete a ten question multiple choice on-line interactive quiz about easily confused words. From two similar words, students choose the correct answer.

In this easily confused words:  insight and incite worksheet, students read definitions and examples of both words, then interactively answer 4 questions as a test with immediate online feedback.

There are so many tricky words in the English language, and their pronunciation defies their spelling! Present your class with this list of 20 commonly misspelled words. They will rewrite the word and complete a coloring activity that...

Ten sentences provide practice in using accept or except correctly. Good for use after you review the meanings of these two commonly confused words. Online, the key is visible from the same page as the exercise. When you print it,...

For this advanced ESL conversation worksheet, students analyze 24 pairs of easily confused words such as: borrow/lend, watch/see and job/career. Students pick up a card with a word pair and tell the group what the difference is between...

If you’re going to get a tattoo, make sure your artist writes it right because it’s hard to correct their inkings. That’s the big idea in this short lesson on commonly misspelled words like their/there/they’re and it’s/its.  Images and a...

Examine the key strategies to proofreading a piece of writing for errors in sentence structure, usage, mechanics and spelling. Eighth graders practice putting into correct passage commonly confused words (too, two, to) when writing to a...