Two is the number. Too means also or excessively. To is everything else. Two of us went to the shop, and it was too far. The test that settles it Deal with the number first — if you mean 2, it is two. Then try also or excessively; if either fits, it is too. Otherwise…

Complement completes something. Compliment praises someone. The wine complements the dish. She paid him a compliment. The test that settles it Look at the middle letter. Complement has an e, like complete — and that is what it does. Try it “The scarf ___ the coat” → it completes the outfit, so complements. “He ___…

Stationary means not moving. Stationery is paper and pens. The bus was stationary. She ordered new stationery. The test that settles it Stationery holds envelope’s e. Stationary holds the a of stand. Try it “traffic was ___” → it was standing still, so stationary. “the ___ cupboard” → it holds paper, so stationery. Stationary: not…

There is a place. Their shows possession. They’re is they are. Put it over there. Their car. They’re late. The test that settles it Try they are. If the sentence still works, the answer is they’re. If not, ask whether you mean a place or an owner. Try it “___ coats are wet” → the…

Whose shows possession. Who’s is who is or who has. Whose turn is it? Who’s next? The test that settles it Expand the apostrophe to who is. If the sentence still works, it is who’s. Try it “___ bag is this” → who is bag fails, so whose. “___ calling” → who is calling works,…

Lose is a verb — to no longer have something. Loose is an adjective — not tight. Do not lose your keys. The handle is loose. The test that settles it Count the letter O. One o and you are losing something. Two, and it is loose, which rhymes with goose. Try it They are…

It’s is short for it is or it has. Its means belonging to it. It’s raining. The dog wagged its tail. The test that settles it Read the sentence with it is in place of the word. If it still makes sense, you want the apostrophe. Try it “___ been a long day” → it…

Than compares. Then is about time or what comes next. Taller than me. We ate, then left. The test that settles it Ask whether you are holding two things up against each other. If you are, it is than. If you could say next or at that time, it is then. Try it “Cheaper ___…

Who does the action. Whom receives it. Who called? To whom did you speak? The test that settles it Answer the question with he or him. If him is the natural answer, use whom — the two words end in the same letter. Try it “___ wrote this?” → he wrote it, so who. “___…

Lay needs an object — you lay something down. Lie does not — you simply lie down. Lay the book on the table. Go and lie down. The test that settles it See whether a thing can follow the verb. If something is being put down, use lay. If a person or thing is settling…

Affect is almost always a verb. Effect is almost always a noun. The rain affected the match. The rain had an effect on the match. The test that settles it Put the in front of the word. If the sentence still works, you want effect — because only a noun takes the. Try it “The…