Affect
/ Effect

"Affect"
and "effect" are two words which have a similar or identical
pronunciation in spoken English, but have different meanings when used correctly
in written English. "Affect' is most commonly used as a verb and means
"to influence or change" or "arouse feelings". The word
"affect" is rarely used as a noun and when it is it is in a fairly
narrow field of psychology in connection with emotional states. In contrast to
"affect", the word "effect" is most often used as a noun.
"Effect" as a noun means "a result". "Effect" is
rarely used as a verb and means to make something happen.

 

Now test your
own knowledge of the use of "affect'' and "effect":

 

The prisoners
- - - - - - - -
effected
an escape.

 

His words
- - - - - - - -
affected
me greatly.

 

She had been
deeply
- - - - - - - -
affected
by her parents' divorce.

 

Any change in
temperature will have an
- - - - - - - -
effect
on the plants.

 

Polish companies
were suffering the adverse
- - - - - - - -
effects
of joining the European Union.

 

I didn't like
the acting in the film but the special
- - - - - - - -
effects
were great.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Definite
/ Definitive

 

Something
which is clearly defined is "definite", and so is an intention which is
not going to change. Where the word "definite" is used for what is
exact and firm, "definitive" is used for what is not only decisive but
also conclusive and final, perhaps a benchmark.

 

Now test your
own knowledge of the use of "definite'' and "definitive":

 

His work is the
- - - - - - - -
definitive
biography of Heinrich Himmler.

 

The internet is
a
- - - - - - - -
definite
help in learning languages.

 

We don't have
any
- - - - - - - -
definite
plans for the long weekend.

 

Doctors have
been unable to make a
- - - - - - - -
definitive
diagnosis

 

 

If you are still unsure of the difference in meaning between "definite' and "definitive" try these links to online English dictionaries:

Dictionary
reference for the word 'definite'.

Cambridge
University Dictionary - definite

 

Dictionary
reference for the word 'definitive'.

Oxford
University Dictionary - definitive

 

 

 

Practise
/ Practice

In many parts
of the English speaking world (UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and South Africa)
“practice” is the noun, “practise” the verb. However, in the U.S.A the
spelling “practice” is more often used for both the noun and the verb.
Contrary to popular belief a significant minority of the American population
also observe the distinction. If you are not sure about what a verb or noun is,
it might be safer to just use the spelling "practice", as many
Americans do!

 

Now test your
own knowledge of the use of 'practise' and 'practice':

 

I need to practise
my English.

 

Dr Haines has a practice
in Hudson Way.

 

Magda is a 
practising
Roman Catholic.

 

Dictionary
references to the word 'practise'.

Cambridge
University Dictionary - practise
Hyper English Dictionary - practise
Merriam Webster Dictionary - practise
Princeton University - practise

Microsoft
Encarta - practise