Common Usage Error Practice

The medicine affected/effected my sleep.

affected (verb)

effects (noun)

The affects/effects of the medicine would take several weeks.

everyday (adjective)

You can’t wear your everyday/every day shoes with your prom dress!

every day (when)

The restaurant on the corner serves breakfast everyday/every day.

well (adverb)

I did good/well on the exam because I studied so hard.

good (adjective)

She is a good/well tennis player.

Badly (an adverb describing how something is done)

I did bad/badly on the exam because I didn’t study.

Bad (adjective that describes a noun)

She is actually a bad/badly tennis player.

Whose (shoes possession)

Who’s/Whose books are on the desk?

Who’s (contraction for who is)

Who’s/Whose the boy in the baseball cap?

Who’s (who is)

The girl who’s/whose wearing red is my cousin.

Whose (shows possession)

Who’s/whose car is parked in my spot?

Incorrect! Should be “I”

Correct or incorrect: Delia, Mary, and myself went to the library to do homework.

Correct! Me is an object pronoun!

Incorrect or correct: my dad took me to the football game.

Me!! It is still an object pronoun—just take “Patrick” out.

My dad took Patrick and I/me/myself to the football game.

I (It’s a subject pronoun)

My sister and me/I/ myself both have freckles.

cars’ (plural possessive)

All of the cars/car’s/cars’ tires were slashed on Halloween!

Children’s (children is already plural)

The children’s/childrens’ toys are all over the floor!

animals’

the animal’s/animals’ cages in the zoo were filthy.

characters (just plural)

The descriptions of the characters/characters’ were beautiful.

lie (lie yourself down)

If you feel sick, you should lay/lie down.

Lay

We will lay/lie all the clothes on the bed before we pack.

affect (verb)

How will the changed effect/affect you?

Every day (when?)

Every day/everyday I walk my dog two miles.

Well (adverb, describes HOW something was done)

I actually feel like I did good/well on the physics exam.

Effects (noun)

I can tell Gwen is feeling the effects/affects of her second concussion.

Who’s (Who is)

She is one of those students whose/who’s always early for class.

We (SUBJECT PRONOUN, comes before the verb)

We/Us kids are going to the basement to watch movies.

Lied

I just lied/laid down for a minute, but I woke up the next morning.

Coaches’ (Plural possessive)

All of our coaches/coach’s/coaches’ instructions are difficult to understand!