Bare means uncovered. Bear means to carry or endure — and it is also the animal. Bare feet. I cannot bear it. The test that settles it If you can put naked or minimal in its place, it is bare. Otherwise it is bear. Try it “the ___ minimum” → the smallest amount, so bare….

Because always gives a reason. Since gives either a reason or a point in time — which is why it can be misread. We left because it was late. I have not seen him since Tuesday. The test that settles it Try replacing the word with from the time that. If that reading is possible,…

Beside means next to. Besides means in addition to, or apart from. Sit beside me. Besides, it is too late. The test that settles it The s adds something. Beside is position; besides adds an item or an argument. Try it “He stood ___ the door” → a position, so beside. “___ the cost, there…

Breath is the noun. Breathe is the verb. Take a deep breath. Try to breathe slowly. The test that settles it The silent e marks the verb, and it changes the sound: breath rhymes with death, breathe with seethe. Try it “out of ___” → a thing you can run out of, so the noun…

Bring moves something towards the speaker. Take moves it away. Bring it here. Take it there. The test that settles it Ask where you are standing in the sentence. Movement towards that point is bring; movement away from it is take. Try it “Please ___ the file to my desk” → towards me, so bring….

To allude is to hint at something. To elude is to escape it. He alluded to the delay. The answer eludes me. The test that settles it Ask whether something is being mentioned or being avoided. Mentioned indirectly is allude; escaping or slipping away is elude. Try it “She ___ to a possible merger” →…

An allusion is an indirect reference. An illusion is a false impression. A literary allusion. An optical illusion. The test that settles it Ask whether something is being pointed at or being faked. Pointed at indirectly is allusion; not what it seems is illusion. Try it “an ___ to Shakespeare” → a reference, so allusion….

An altar is a table in a place of worship. To alter is to change. They married at the altar. Please do not alter the file. The test that settles it Only one is a verb. If the word is doing something, it is alter. If it is a thing, it is altar. Try it…

Use between for distinct, named things. Use among for an undivided group. A treaty between three states. Popular among students. The test that settles it Ask whether you could list the items. If each one is being considered separately, use between — however many there are. If they are a mass, use among. Try it…

Immoral breaks a moral rule. Amoral stands outside morality altogether. An immoral act. An amoral algorithm. The test that settles it Ask whether the thing is capable of knowing right from wrong. If it is and it chose wrong, that is immoral. If the question does not apply, that is amoral. Try it “He lied…

Advice is the noun — the thing you give. Advise is the verb — what you do. She gave good advice. I advise caution. The test that settles it Listen to the ending. Advice ends in an S sound, like ice. Advise ends in a Z sound, like wise. The spelling follows the sound. Try…

Both can mean to influence. Affect is the safe verb; impact as a verb still irritates careful readers. The delay affected sales. The delay had an impact on sales. The test that settles it If you need a verb, use affect. If you need a noun, impact is natural — and so is effect. Try…

You’re is short for you are. Your means belonging to you. You’re late. Bring your coat. The test that settles it Say you are in place of the word. If the sentence survives, you want the apostrophe. Try it “___ going to love this” → you are going works, so you’re. “Take ___ time” →…

Fewer is for things you can count. Less is for amounts you cannot. Fewer cars. Less traffic. The test that settles it Try to put a number in front of the noun. If three of them makes sense, use fewer. If it does not, use less. Try it “___ chairs” → three chairs works, so…

Accept is a verb meaning to receive or agree to. Except means apart from. She will accept the offer. Everyone came except him. The test that settles it Ask whether you are leaving something out. If you are, it is except. If someone is taking something in, it is accept. Try it “Everyone ___ me”…