Grammar Lesson: Confusing Usage Words Practice Activities

Review the following study guide for confusing usage words help and definitions.

Grammar Lesson: Confusing Usage Words Study Guide

Activity 1- Matching up the Confusing Words

Match the fifteen words in Column A with their definitions in Column B. Write the correct letter on the line before the number in Column A. All of these words have been taken from the Confusing Usage Words lists that you have studied.

Activity 2- Which is the Correct Word?

Underline the correct word in the parentheses.

1. (Bring, Take) your supplies back to your desk.
2. Will you (borrow, lend) me a few dollars tonight?
3. The Olympic swimmer spent much time training (in, into) the pool.
4. Please (leave, let) me finish what I have to do here.
5. (It's, Its) going to rain tomorrow night.
6. Tell me some of your best (quotations, quotes).
7. Will you please (poor, pore, pour) me some milk?
8. The students were yawning so I figured that they were (disinterested, uninterested) in what was on the screen.
9. What did you (imply, infer) from what the district manager said?
10. A celebrity's (personal, personnel) life should be kept private.
11. Do you have more experience (than, then) the other candidates seeking this position?
12. Are you going to (set, sit) the table for tonight's meal?
13. Do you think that you could (have, of) saved more money over the years?
14. The criminals were quite (famous, notorious) in that part of the country.
15. (Unless, Without) they reach Minneapolis by dark, they might have to go to another motel.

Activity 3- Select the Correct Word

Part One:   Underline the correct word within the parentheses.

1. (Can, May) I have your permission to check the files?
2. As a homeowner, you are (liable, likely) for the damage.
3. Can you throw the ball any (farther, further)?
4. We sat right (beside, besides) the band members at the wedding.
5. My sister is studying to become a nurse's (aid, aide).
6. Wait for (farther, further) instructions about the new plan.
7. Fortunately, (fewer, less) problems plague the police department this year.
8. How many families have (emigrated from, immigrated to) their homeland to other countries?
9. The perfume's (cent, scent) was very pleasant.
10. Should I turn (right, rite, wright, write) here?
11. (Than, Then) I transferred to another college.
12. Will the weather greatly (affect, effect) the bus trip?
13. There seemed to be no parking (anywhere, any wheres).
14. (Learn, Teach) me how to play the guitar.
15. The religious leader plans to perform the (right, rite, wright, write) this afternoon.

Part Two: Write five sentences, each one using one of the words in the parentheses within the above sentences. Write your sentences on a separate sheet of paper.

Answers

Activity 1- Matching Up the Confusing Words

1. C
2. L
3. G
4. M
5. O
6. H
7. D
8. A
9. J
10. F
11. B
12. E
13. K
14. N
15. I

Activity 2- Which Is the Correct Word?

1. Take
2. lend
3. in
4. let
5. It's
6. quotations
7. pour
8. uninterested
9. infer
10. personal
11. than
12. set
13. have
14. notorious
15. Unless

Activity 3- Select the Correct Word

1. May
2. liable
3. farther
4. beside
5. aide
6. further
7. fewer
8. immigrated to
9. scent
10. right
11. Then
12. affect
13. anywhere
14. Teach
15. rite

Part Two: The answers will vary.