Word Differences

• "Affect" vs. "Effect": What's the Difference? — "Affect" is usually a verb (to influence); "effect" is usually a noun (a result).
• "Its" vs. "It's": What's the Difference? — "Its" shows possession (like "his" or "her"); "it's" is short for "it is" or "it has."
• "Then" vs. "Than": What's the Difference? — "Then" is about time/sequence ("and then..."); "than" is about comparison ("better than...").
• "There", "Their" or "They're": What's the Difference? — Three words, same sound, different jobs: there (place), their (possession), they're (they are).
• "Who" vs. "Whom": What's the Difference? — "Who" acts (subject); "whom" receives the action (object). The he/him trick makes it easy.
• "Farther" vs. "Further": What's the Difference? — "Farther" = physical distance you can measure; "further" = figurative distance, extent, or "additional."
• "Complement" vs. "Compliment": What's the Difference? — "Complement" (with E) completes something; "compliment" (with I) is a praising remark.
• "Principal" vs. "Principle": What's the Difference? — "Principal" = main, or the head of a school, or loan amount; "principle" = a rule or belief.
• "Fewer" vs. "Less": What's the Difference? — "Fewer" = countable items you can number (fewer books); "less" = uncountable quantity (less time).
• "Lay" vs. "Lie": What's the Difference? — "Lay" requires a direct object (lay something down); "lie" doesn't (you yourself lie down).