Welcome to grammar day on Seriously Write. Ready to test your skills? Today, we’re looking at some commonly misused words. Try not to look at the answers below.
Have fun!
Which word is correct?
1) My friend learned how to paint with water colors by taking a coarse/course at the community college.
2) After performing her solo in church last Sunday, Mary received a wonderful compliment/complement from the pastor.
3) When trying to decide between two career paths, my niece sought council/counsel from her mentor, a favorite teacher.
4) Grandma asked if we’d like apple pie, cheesecake, brownies, or carrot cake for dessert/desert.
5) The remark made by the reporter at the scene of the accident sounded callous/callus.
6) After sitting all day at the computer, it really felt good to take a break/brake.
7) Karen strolled down the grocery aisle/isle looking for the whole wheat pasta.
8) Before purchasing an older home, it would be wise to get advise/advice from a building inspector.
Corrected sentences:
1) My friend learned how to paint with water colors by taking a course at the community college.
If something is coarse, it’s rough.
2) After performing her solo in church last Sunday, Mary received a wonderful compliment from the pastor.
A complement is something that completes or goes well with something else.
3) When trying to decide between two career paths, my niece sought counsel from her mentor, a favorite teacher.
A council is an advisory or legislative group of people.
4) Grandma asked if we’d like apple pie, cheesecake, brownies, or carrot cake for dessert.
A desert is an arid region.
5) The remark made by the reporter at the scene of the accident sounded callous.
A callus is hard, thickened area on skin.
6) After sitting all day at the computer, it really felt good to take a break.
A brake is the part of a machine that slows it down or stops it.
7) Karen strolled down the grocery aisle looking for the whole wheat pasta.
An isle is another term used for an island.
8) Before purchasing an older home, it would be wise to get advice from a building inspector.
To advise is to suggest or recommend and is a verb.
Advice is a suggestion or recommendation and is a noun.
How well did you do?
Like anyone else, I’m not perfect. I use The Chicago Manual of Style, The Christian Writers Manual of Style, and Webster’s Dictionary as my sources.
