Accept vs. Except |
Accept is a verb (action) and it means to agree to take something. |
Except is a preposition or conjunction, which means “not including.” |
Affect vs. Effect |
Affect is a verb (action). Hint: if it's something you're going to do, use “affect.” EX: The noise affected my performance. |
Effect is a noun (person, place or thing). If it's something you've already done, use “effect.” Also remember that “effect” usually comes after the words an, the and before the word on. EX: His words had a lasting effect on me. |
Been vs. Gone |
Been is the past participle of be. It is used to describe completed visits. If you have been to England twice, you have traveled there and back twice. |
Gone is the past participle of go. If you have gone to England, you have not yet returned. |
Until vs. By
(Both words mean “anytime before, but not later than”) |
Until tells us how long something continues. EX: They lived there until September. (They stopped living there in September) |
By is often used to indicate a deadline; it happens at or before that time. EX: The report is due by October 8th. (October 8th is the last day you can finish; you may submit the report before this day).By is also used in questions: Will the report be ready by October 8th? |
For vs. Since |
For indicates a period of time; the duration. EX: I have been working here for 2 years. |
Since indicates a certain point in time; a moment. EX: I have been working here since 2005. |
Lay Down vs. Lie Down |
Lay or Laid usually refers to moving a physical or hypothetical thing. EX: She laid her pillow on the bed. / She laid the rules for the program. |
Lie or Lied usually refers to moving your body in a flat position. EX: I am going to lie on the bed. / I lied on the bed to get some rest. |