5.4 Spelling and Commonly Confused Words
Key Takeaways
- Affect is usually a verb (to influence); effect is usually a noun (result)
- Their (possessive), there (location), they're (they are) have distinct meanings
- Its (possessive) has no apostrophe; it's means "it is"
- I before E except after C (with exceptions like "weird")
- Double final consonants in CVC words when adding vowel suffixes (stop → stopping)
Last updated: January 2026
The TEAS tests your knowledge of correct spelling and the ability to distinguish between commonly confused words. These skills are essential for clear medical documentation.
Commonly Confused Words
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| affect | Verb: to influence | The medication will affect her mood. |
| effect | Noun: result | The medication had a positive effect. |
| accept | Verb: to receive | She will accept the diagnosis. |
| except | Preposition: excluding | Everyone except the patient left. |
| then | Indicates time | First check vitals, then give medication. |
| than | Comparison | The patient is older than expected. |
| their | Possessive pronoun | Their results are ready. |
| there | Location | The chart is over there. |
| they're | Contraction: they are | They're waiting for results. |
| your | Possessive pronoun | Your appointment is tomorrow. |
| you're | Contraction: you are | You're scheduled for surgery. |
| its | Possessive pronoun | The hospital updated its policy. |
| it's | Contraction: it is | It's important to wash your hands. |
| whose | Possessive | Whose chart is this? |
| who's | Contraction: who is | Who's the attending physician? |
| to | Preposition/infinitive | She went to the lab. |
| too | Also; excessive | That's too much medication. |
| two | Number 2 | Give two pills daily. |
More Commonly Confused Pairs
| Words | Usage |
|---|---|
| lose / loose | Lose = fail to keep; Loose = not tight |
| principal / principle | Principal = main/head of school; Principle = rule/belief |
| stationary / stationery | Stationary = not moving; Stationery = paper supplies |
| complement / compliment | Complement = complete; Compliment = praise |
| council / counsel | Council = group; Counsel = advice/advisor |
| cite / site / sight | Cite = quote; Site = location; Sight = vision |
| passed / past | Passed = went by (verb); Past = previous time |
| breath / breathe | Breath = noun; Breathe = verb |
| conscious / conscience | Conscious = aware; Conscience = moral sense |
Spelling Rules
1. I Before E Rule
- General: i before e except after c
- Examples: believe, receive, ceiling
- Exceptions: weird, neither, leisure, seize
2. Dropping the Silent E
- Drop e when adding suffix starting with vowel: hope → hoping
- Keep e when adding suffix starting with consonant: hope → hopeful
- Exception: judgment, acknowledgment
3. Changing Y to I
- Change y to i when adding suffix (if y follows consonant): happy → happiness
- Keep y if suffix starts with i: carry → carrying
- Keep y if y follows vowel: play → played
4. Doubling the Final Consonant
- Double when:
- Word ends in consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC)
- Word is one syllable OR stress is on last syllable
- Suffix starts with vowel
- Examples: stop → stopping, begin → beginning
- Don't double: open → opening (stress not on last syllable)
Medical Terminology Spelling
| Word | Common Misspelling |
|---|---|
| hemorrhage | hemmorage, hemorhage |
| diarrhea | diarhea, diarrea |
| abscess | abcess |
| occurrence | occurence, occurance |
| accommodate | accomodate |
| necessary | neccessary, necesary |
| maintenance | maintainance |
| separate | seperate |
| definitely | definately |
| occurred | occured |
Strategies for Spelling Success
1. Learn Root Words Understanding roots helps spell related words:
- "Cardi-" (heart): cardiac, cardiologist, cardiovascular
- "Derm-" (skin): dermatology, epidermis
2. Use Mnemonics
- "There" has "here" in it (location)
- "Stationery" has an "e" like "envelope"
- "Principal" is your "pal"
3. Sound Out Syllables Break words into parts: ne-ces-sar-y, sep-a-rate
4. Visualize the Word Picture the correct spelling in your mind.
5. Proofread Carefully Spell-check doesn't catch correctly spelled wrong words (their/there).
Test Your Knowledge
Choose the correct sentence.
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
Which sentence uses "their," "there," and "they're" correctly?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
Which word is spelled correctly?
A
B
C
D