Commonly Confused Words

Front

lead (noun)

Back

a heavy, soft metal (This box is made of lead.)

Front

led (verb)

Back

past tense of the verb "to lead." (From the classroom, I led you to the office.)

Front

than (conjunction)

Back

used to compare (I like chocolate more than vanilla.)

Front

then (adverb)

Back

next in order (I will do my homework. Then I will play.). At a certain time (I was living in San Jose then.)

Front

your (adjective)

Back

belonging to you (Is this your book?)

Front

you're (contraction)

Back

contraction for “you” + “are” (You’re doing well.)

Front

gray

Back

the more common spelling in American English spelling.

Front

grey

Back

the standard British spelling.

Front

lay

Back

to put or to place. One way to remember this is that there is an a in both “lay” and “place” (Please lay the glass carefully on the table.)

Front

lie

Back

to recline. One way to remember this is that there is an “i” in both “lie” and “recline” (I will lie on the couch because I am tired.)