Exercise A: Commonly Confused Words

 

Directions: Each sentence is followed by two commonly confused homonyms. Choose the correct word to fill in the blank by clicking on the letter that precedes it.

1 Justin was _____________ for the big exam when he discoved it had been cancelled.
all ready
already
2 It was _____________ seven o’clock by the time we reached Boston.
all ready
already
3 As a waitress, I was only allowed one fifteen-minute _____________ .
brake
break
4 I’m afraid the _____________ in this car aren’t very reliable.
brakes
breaks
5 The English _____________ I took last semester was the best I’ve ever taken.
course
coarse
6 This pattern works best with _____________, heavy fabric.
course
coarse
7 Why don’t you have the party _____________ in the garden?
here
hear
8 From my seat in the back of the auditorium, I could barely _____________ the performance.
here
hear
9 Did you eat the _____________ pizza by yourself?
whole
hoe
10 There is a _____________ in your new shirt.
whole
hole
11 Don’t blame me! _____ not my fault.
It's
Its
12 The airplane began _____ descent.
it's
its
13 After an hour, he _____________ Sharon wasn’t coming.
knew
new
14 Is that a _____________ hat?
knew
new
15 How did you _____________ it was going to rain?
know
no
16 There are _____________ onions on this half of the pizza.
know
no
17 As the years _____________, Gwen grew more and more like her mother.
passed
past
18 Did you drive _____________ the cemetary on your way home?
passed
past
19 Would you like another _____________ of cherry pie?
piece
peace
20 The contestant said she wished for world _____________ .
piece
peace
21 The book arrived in a _____________ brown envelope.
plain
plane
22 Robert’s _____________ was over an hour late.
plain
plane
23 Today was Justine’s eighth time in the _____________ office.
principal’s
principle’s
24 As a matter of _____________, Claire refused to attend the congresswoman’s rally.
principle
principal
25 I hate to admit it, but you were _____________ about my last boyfriend.
right
write
26 I promised my sister I would _____________ to her every week
right
write
27 Jake is a foot taller _____________ me.
then
than
28 If you come over, _____________ you can meet my new puppy.
then
than
29 Your shoes are over _____________.
there
they're
their
30 Have your friends forgotten _____________ manners?
there
they're
their
31 My parents are so pleased with my grades that _____________ throwing me a party.
there
they're
their
32 After graduation, he _____________ all of his papers out of the window.
threw
through
33 When you’re _____________ slicing the carrots, can you help me with the potatoes?
threw
through
34 There are only _____________ bagels left.
too
to
two
35 I haven’t been able to convince my father _____________ quit smoking.
too
to
two
36 That bag is _____________ big to fit in the trunk.
too
to
two
37 Did you _____________ your new suit to work today?
wear
where
38 Do you know _____________ I put my glasses?
wear
where
39 If the _____________ is nice, we’ll go to the park.
weather
whether
40 I’m not sure _____________ to wait or to come back later.
weather
whether
41 Do you know _____________ sweater this is?
who's
whose
42 _____________ at the door?
whose
who's
43 Did you remember to pack _____________ camera?
your
you're
44 _____________ the first guest to arrive.
Your
You're