DTW GED PREP

Commonly Confused Words

Many words in English sound similar or look alike but have different meanings. These are called commonly confused words, and using the wrong one can affect clarity and correctness. On the GED® Reasoning Through Language Arts test, you’ll need to recognize and correct such errors during editing tasks.

Strategy Tip:

If you’re unsure which word is correct, try replacing it in a sentence with its full form (for contractions) or think carefully about its part of speech and meaning.

1. Its vs. It’s

• Its is a possessive pronoun meaning “belonging to it.”
  • Example: The dog licked its paw.
• It’s is a contraction of “it is” or “it has.”
  • Example: It’s raining outside. (It is raining outside.)

Quick Check:
If you can replace the word with it is or it has, use it’s. If not, use its.

2. Their vs. There vs. They’re

• Their is a possessive pronoun (belongs to them).
  • Example: The students forgot their books.
• There is an adverb indicating place or existence.
  • Example: The car is parked there.
• They’re is a contraction of “they are.”
  • Example: They’re going to the concert. (They are going.)

3. Who’s vs. Whose

• Who’s is a contraction of “who is” or “who has.”
  • Example: Who’s in charge here?
• Whose is a possessive pronoun.
  • Example: Whose phone is ringing?

4. To vs. Too vs. Two

• To is a preposition (shows direction, place, or purpose).
  • Example: I am going to the store.
• Too means also or excessively.
  • Example: She is coming too. / That’s too much sugar.
• Two is the number 2.
  • Example: I bought two apples.

5. Knew vs. New

• Knew is the past tense of “know.”
  • Example: I knew the answer.
• New means not old or recent.
  • Example: He bought a new car.

6. Passed vs. Past

• Passed is the past tense of the verb “pass.”
  • Example: She passed the test.
• Past refers to a previous time or is used as an adjective or noun.
  • Example: In the past, he worked here.
  • Example: Her past behavior was concerning.

1.13 FREQUENTLY CONFUSED WORDS

Directions: Choose the correct word from the parentheses to complete each sentence.

1. This ______________ week has been extremely busy. (past, passed)
2. I will complete the extra work when I know ______________ time is available. (it’s, its)
3. I wanted to start a ______________ club, but no one showed interest. (new, knew)
4. Robert tried ______________ different types of medicine to treat the rash. (to, too, two)
5. ______________ going to the picnic this afternoon? (Who’s, Whose)
6. ______________ is no reason to change your outfit before the event. (Their, There, They’re)

1.13 FREQUENTLY CONFUSED WORDS

1.Sentence: This past week has been extremely busy.
Explanation:

• Past refers to a previous time period, which fits the context.
• Passed is the past tense of the verb to pass, and would not work as an adjective here.

2.Sentence: I will complete the extra work when I know it’s time is available.
Corrected Sentence: I will complete the extra work when I know its time is available.
Explanation:

• Its is the possessive form of it, meaning “belonging to it.”
• It’s is a contraction for it is or it has, which would make the sentence ungrammatical.

3.Sentence: I wanted to start a new club, but no one showed interest.
Explanation:

• New means recent or just created.
• Knew is the past tense of know, and does not make sense here.

4.Sentence: Robert tried two different types of medicine to treat the rash.
Explanation:

• Two is the correct numeral here.
• To is a preposition or part of an infinitive verb, and too means “also” or “excessively.”

5.Sentence: Who’s going to the picnic this afternoon?
Explanation:

• Who’s is a contraction for who is, which is appropriate in the question.
• Whose is the possessive form of who (e.g., Whose bag is this?).

6.Sentence: There is no reason to change your outfit before the event.
Explanation:

• There refers to a place or introduces a statement of existence.
• Their is possessive, and They’re is a contraction for they are, neither of which make sense here.