Common errors explained!

Many people find that English can be a confusing language - even the English!

Answers to the quiz in the last post (correct sentences in italics):

1. Sites are places where something happens - camp site, building site
A sight is something worth looking at (NB sightseeing):

Tower Bridge is one of the most famous sights in London.

2. Past is a preposition (go past the station) or a noun (The past is a mystery)
To pass is a verb meaning to succeed or to overtake:

Only seven out of a class of 16 passed the examination.

3. Quiet is an adjective meaning not loud. But it is often confused with the modifier quite:

The students agreed that the lecture was quite interesting.

4. Loose is an adjective meaning 'not tight' (a loose fitting sweater)
To lose is a verb - the opposite of 'gain' or 'find'.

Millions of people are trying to lose weight.

5. Rise and raise are both verbs with a similar meaning. But to raise needs an agent -
He raised his arm, but the sun rises at seven thirty:

The oil company is planning to raise prices next year.

6. Effect is generally a noun - The worries had an effect on her health
Affect is a verb, but it has a similar meaning:

Sunspots often affect radio communication.

7. Accept is a verb - to accept a prize or a point of view
Except means 'apart from':

Except for two students all the class spoke Arabic.

8. It's is a contraction for 'it is'.
Its is a possessive pronoun:

The ancient symbol showed a snake eating its own tail.

9. Principle is a noun meaning a kind of rule or belief
Principal is an adjective or noun meaning 'chief or 'leading':

Zurich is the principal city of Switzerland.

10. Compliment is a noun or verb mean to praise.
Complement is a verb meaning to enhance or add to:

The taste of lemon complemented the rich flavour of the fish.