More Troublesome Words
Accept vs Except
A. "Accept" means to receive.

EXAMPLE
I accept your invitation.

B. "Except" means to omit or to exempt.

EXAMPLE
Everyone except Bill will attend.

Affect vs Effect
A. "Affect" may be a verb or a noun, but for the purposes of this lesson, treat each instance of "affect" as a verb meaning "to influence or to change."

EXAMPLE
The illness affects his patience.
She attempted to affect a caring attitude.

B. "Effect" may be a verb or a noun. As a verb it means to bring about. Example: We will effect the changes we want. As a noun it means result of a cause.

EXAMPLE
What effect will this bring?

Advice vs Advise
A. "Advice" is a noun meaning a suggestion or recommendation.

EXAMPLE
What is your advice?

B. "Advise" is a verb meaning to recommend.

EXAMPLE
I have been advised to attend.

Between vs Among, Amongst
A. "Between" shows connection with two persons or things and may refer to space or time.

EXAMPLE
There was an alley between the buildings.

B. "Among" and "amongst" show connection with more than two persons or things. Sometimes people use "between" when they want to show a connection with more than two things, but this is not correct.

EXAMPLE
They stood among the trees.

Breath vs Breathe
A. "Breath" is the noun pronounced to rhyme with death.

EXAMPLE
I lost my breath.

B. "Breathe" is the verb pronounced as to rhyme with sheathe.

EXAMPLE
Breathe deeply.

Complement vs Compliment
A. "Complement" means that which completes. It can also be a complete number or set of people or things.

EXAMPLE
Those shoes complement that outfit.

B. "Compliment" means an expression of admiration or approval given freely as a courtesy.

EXAMPLE
Her compliment on the outfit was appreciated.

C. Sometimes the adjective "complimentary" also means free.

EXAMPLE
The hotel provided a complimentary breakfast.

Emigrate vs Immigrate
A. To "emigrate" is to leave one's country for residence in another.

EXAMPLE
I emigrated from my home country.

B. To "immigrate" is to come into a country of which one is not a native.

EXAMPLE
The person arrived in the new country as an immigrant.

Principal vs Principle
A. "Principal" as an adjective means main, chief, leading. As a noun, "principal" means a leader, a head, or a sum placed at interest.

EXAMPLE
The bus was his principal means of transportation.
The principal of the school was new.

B. "Principle" means a rule of action, a moral standard, or a fundamental truth.

EXAMPLE
The principle of the statement was understood by all.