ACCEPT/EXCEPT
Accept = to agree to do, to agree to receive
Except = not including
This is one of the pairs where in writing the mistake rarely happens – but when speaking, it may sound like a native speaker might be saying something like ‘Everyone accept me went for a drink after work.’ Sometimes, they could well be saying this…make sure you aren’t one of those who does, and remember the difference between the two!
I accepted the promotion gladly.
Nobody except me dared to argue with him.
ADVISE/ADVICE
Advise = a verb, meaning to recommend someone do something
Advice = a noun, a recommendation
The soft /s/ (think of the first sound in the word ‘six’) is the sound made in the noun ‘advice’, whilst the hard /z/ (the first sound in the word ‘zoo’) is the sound made in the verb ‘advise’, even though it’s spelt with an ’s’.
He advised me to talk to my friend about our argument.
The advice he gave me was excellent.
DRAUGHT/DRAFT
Draught = a current of air
Draft = the first version of something, e.g a piece of writing
The pronunciation is exactly the same for these words, which is why they are commonly confused when written down.
Can you shut the window? There’s a terrible draught in here.
Please submit your first draft of the composition by Tuesday.
STATIONARY/STATIONERY
Stationary = not moving
Stationery = materials for writing
The train was stationary for a few minutes, but then continued on its journey.
Before starting school, we need to go and buy you some stationery.
PRINCIPAL/PRINCIPLE
Principal = the most important, the head of a school
Principle = fundamental rule or belief
Our principal objective is to make a large profit.
My principle in life is that you should treat others as you would expect to be treated.
AFFECT/EFFECT
Affect = to change or make a difference to
Effect = a result, to bring about a result
The heat really affects me, so I try to stay in the shade.
The effects of sun damage are long-lasting, if not permanent.
The only thing that you can do with these words is memorise them – as they are pieces of vocabulary, there is no rule to help you. Testing yourself on spelling (something which all English-speaking children have to go through to improve their own spelling at school!) is an important part of learning the English language. If you come across a word like this in your own writing, and you’ve spelt it the incorrect way, or used it with the wrong meaning, try to write the word out several times, and test yourself on it again at a later date. Words like this can only be learned through practice and correction!
Born in Adelaide, South Australia, senior staff member Kym has been teaching at Callan Barcelona since September 2013. Previously, he studied his TEFL course in Prague (Czech Republic). Kym is a very well-seasoned traveller and has been to over 30 countries worldwide, including 22 in Europe.
An avid hiker, he has been all over the Iberian peninsula from Pamplona to Granada, and did the Camino de Santiago in 2018. He also enjoys writing and playing the guitar.
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