Click the MISUSED WORDS button to highlight possible misused words in your text. Misused words are common words that sound alike but mean differently.
For example, the Robert Gunning Editor will highlight such words as:
There / Their / They’re
There: Refers to a place or position.
Example: “The book is over there.”
Their: Possessive form of “they.”
Example: “Their car is parked outside.”
They’re: Contraction of “they are.”
Example: “They’re going to the concert.”
Your / You’re
Its / It’s
Affect / Effect
Affect: Usually a verb, meaning to influence.
Example: “The weather will affect our plans.”
Effect: Usually a noun, meaning a result.
Example: “The medicine had a positive effect.”
To / Too / Two
To: Indicates direction or purpose.
Example: “I am going to the store.”
Too: Means “also” or “excessively.”
Example: “I want some ice cream too.”
Two: The number 2.
Example: “I have two brothers.”
Than / Then
Than: Used in comparisons.
Example: “She is taller than her brother.”
Then: Refers to time or sequence.
Example: “Finish your homework, then we can play.”
Loose / Lose
Passed / Past
Passed: Past tense of “pass.”
Example: “She passed me the ball.”
Past: Refers to a time before now.
Example: “In the past, people used typewriters.”
Mouse over any highlighted word to see the reason for the highlight and if you are using the correct word. Not all highlights mean an incorrect word.
The Robert Gunning Editor checks for more than 400 common misused words in English texts.