A brief guide to some of the most commonly confused words.

affect and effect

These two words have numerous applications, but let’s focus on the more common uses:

• affect means to produce an effect or change. (The tragedy affected us deeply.)
• effect means a result or consequence (The drought had a bad effect on the farmer’s income) or bringing something into operation or execution (The rescue plan came into effect.)

dependant and dependent

• dependant is a noun meaning a person who relies on someone for financial support. (She was supporting five dependants.)
• dependent is an adjective (which modifies a noun) meaning depending on or conditional. (The location of the picnic was dependent on the weather.)

ie and eg

• ie means that is. It is used when further elaboration is required. However, it does not introduce examples.
• eg means for example.

its and it’s

• its denotes possession, as do the words his and hers. (The dog slept in its kennel.)
• it’s is the abbreviation of the words it and is. (It’s almost time to go home.)

practice and practise

• practice is a noun or a thing. (The dentist opened his practice at 9 am.)
• practise is a verb or an action. (She had to practise her speech.)

stationery and stationary

• stationary means keeping still.
• stationery is what you write on or with – letterhead, notepads, pens, pencils, etc.

their and there

• their signifies possession, as in his and hers.
• there is the opposite of here.

to, too and two

• to is a preposition indicating a limit (bad to the bone), contact (apply the paint to the wall), until and including (Monday to Friday), expressing an intention or destination (we’re going to the meeting), etc.
• too can mean an excessive amount (too much food) or in addition (tall, dark and handsome too).
• two is the number 2.