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Use this checklist as a list of reminders while you are editing your paper.

  1. Sentence fragments
  2. Sentence sprawl
  3. Misplaced and dangling modifiers
  4. Faulty parallelism
  5. Unclear pronoun reference
  6. Incorrect pronoun case
  1. Omitted commas
  2. Superfluous commas
  3. Comma splices
  4. Apostrophe errors
  5. Words easily confused current page arrow
  6. Misspellings

11. Words easily confused

 

"Effect" is most often a noun (the effect), and "affect" is almost always a verb.

Other pairs commonly confused: "lead"/"led" and "accept"/"except."

Check a glossary of usage to find the right choice.
Confused word How to fix it

The recession had a negative affect on sales.

The recession had a negative effect on sales.

(or) The recession affected sales negatively.

The laboratory instructor chose not to offer detailed advise.

The laboratory instructor chose not to offer detailed advice.

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