Chapter 7 Verbal and Written Communications 169
8. affect vs effect
Incorrect: Leonard’s terrible cold effected his performance on
the science test.
Rule: When you are referring to a thing (noun), you mean effect
in almost all cases. When you are meaning an action (verb), you
use affect.
Correct: Leonard’s terrible cold affected his performance on the
science test.
Another example: The effect of Leonard’s terrible cold was that
his grade on the test was negatively affected.
9. lay vs lie
Incorrect: I asked the patient to lay down on the bed.
Rule: To lay is to place something (there always is a noun or a
“something” that is being placed). To lie is to recline.
Correct: I asked the patient to lie down on the bed.
Another example: Lay your book on the table and lie down on
the couch.
10. lose vs loose
Incorrect: I always loose my car keys.
Rule: Loose and lose are spelled similarly, but have very different
defi nitions. Loose means something is not fastened, tied up, or
confi ned; able to move freely. To lose something means you no
longer have it or cannot fi nd it.
Correct: I always lose my car keys.
Another example: I lose my lecture notes when they are loose
in my binder.
11. among vs between
Incorrect: Among the two of us, I don’t like to work with people.
Rule: Among refers to three or more individuals. Between refers
to two individuals.
Correct: Between the two of us, I don’t like to work with people.
Another example: Among the four of us, three want to be nurses.
12. is vs are
Incorrect: Is those two going to interview for the same job?
Rule: Is must be used with a singular noun. Are is used with a
plural noun.
Correct: Are those two going to interview for the same job?
Another example: She is going to the interview, but Paul and
Don are not going to interview for that job.