Some words are very similar in spelling, having slightly one or two spellings different but give different meaning and are of different form.

Example:

effect (noun) = produce an effect on … affect (verb) = result of an action
principal (post) = chief of school ………principle (verb) = fundamental truth
practice (noun) = habitual action practise ……. (verb) = carry out an action

Example:

1. Complete the following sentence choosing the correct word in the brackets.
(a) Marry was greatly ……….ed by her father’s death. (affect/effect)
(b) His death had a terrible ……….. on her. (affect/effect)
(c) There were a few ………. sheets of paper on the table. (loose/lose)
(d) He expected to ……… the election. (loose/lose)
(e) My doctor has a private ……. (practice/practise)
(f) Ann must …….. for the exam. (practice/practise)

Answers:
(a) affected (b) effect (c) loose (d) lose (e) practice (f) practise

2. Rewrite the following sentences choosing the correct words from the pair given in the brackets.
(a)Someone rules and regulations will come into (effect, affect) from the coming year.
(b) Your handwriting should be (illegible, eligible)
(c) There were a few (loose, lose) sheets of paper over there.
(d) The students are(taking, giving)the HSEB examination.

Answers:
(a) Some new rules and regulations will come into effect from the coming year.
(b) Your handwriting should be legible.
(c) There were a few loose sheets of paper over there.
(d) The students are taking the HSEB examination.

3. Rewrite tense sentences filling in the gaps with the appropriate words from the brackets:
(a) She hasn’t finished the work…………..(yet/ already)
(b) We must be……….of our country.(pride/proud)
(c) I offered her a cup of tea. But she……….(accepted/refused)
(d) Your ……………..helped me to find a job. (recommendation/accommodation)

Answers:
(a) She hasn’t finished the work yet.
(b) We must be proud of our country.
(c) I offered her a cup of tea, but she refused.
(d) Your recommendation helped me to find a job.

Exercise:

1. Complete the following sentence choosing the correct word in the brackets.
(a) She was … enough to carry an umbrella during the monsoon period.(sensible/sensitive)
(b) Please, could you ….. me your book? (borrow/ lend)
(c) What did you ……. to her. (say/ speak)
(d) He was …….. in the earthquake last year. (died/killed)
(e) She said she was ………. in playing badminton. (interested/interesting)
(f) The thief ……….. the bank. (robbed/stole)
(g) I will ……… for you near the entrance. (expect/wait)
(h) Could you …….. some tea for me? (bring/take)
(i) I am sorry, but your handwriting is ……….. (eligible/illegible)
(j) That man cannot read or write. He is ……… (illiterate/literate)

2. Rewrite these sentences filling in the gap with the appropriate words from the brackets:
(a) Anuradha runs ………….a shop. (stationary/stationery)
(b) Utah is …………mid-west USA.(to/in)
(c) I’m sorry. But your hand writing is ………(eligible/illegible)
(d) His shirt is torn………. he needs a new one. (however/therefore)

3. Rewrite the following sentences choosing the correct word from the pair given in the brackets.
(a) I would strongly ……….you to use the dictionary (advice, advise)
(b) He arrested to see her ……….in the day. (later/ latter)
(c) That man can’t read or write: he is…….. (literate/illiterate)
(d) She said she was………….in playing volleyball. (interested/interesting)