1. Accept / Except
HOMONYM Accept is a verb meaning to receive with
approval. Except is used as a preposition
ERRORS meaning excluding, or a verb meaning to leave
out.
Homonyms are words that Examples:
sound the same, but are
I accept responsibility for breaking
spelled differently and are the dishes. I will replace them all
different in meaning. They except for the ones you broke.
are frequently mistaken for
each other. Be aware of
Affect / Effect
these homonyms. They are Affect is mainly used as a verb, meaning to
not usually caught by spell influence or imitate. It is rarely used as a
noun, meaning feeling or emotion. Effect is
check. most often used as a noun, meaning a result or
something that follows as a consequences.
Examples:
The drought will affect the crops. The
effects could include high produce
prices.

2. Adapt / Adopt
Adapt is a verb meaning to change in order to fit or be more suitable. Adopt is
a verb meaning to take something and make it one’s own.
Examples:
I adapt to my new job. The office decided to adopt new policies
regarding vacation days.
Allusion / Illusion
Allusion is a noun meaning reference. Illusion is a noun meaning fantasy or
false impression.
Examples:
He made an allusion to Datuk A. Samad Said, the famous writer.
Datuk A. Samad Said was known for his greatest novel, Salina.

3. By / Buy / Bye
By is a preposition meaning near or way. Buy is a verb meaning to purchase.
Bye is a slang for goodbye.
Examples:
I must buy a camera. The store is by the post office. Bye, see you
later!
Farther / Further
Farther is an adjective or adverb meaning more remote or extended. It is
related to measurable distance. Further is an adjective or adverb meaning
more remote or extended, but it is related to a figurative sense. The distance
cannot truly be measured.
Examples:
I jogged farther today than yesterday. I pushed my body further
than ever before.

4. Its / It’s
Its is a third-person singular possessive. It’s is a contraction of the words it
and is.
Examples:
The cat has something in its paws. It’s a small acorn he found
outside.
Than / Then
Than is a conjunction used for comparison. Then is an adverb meaning
afterward or at that time.
Examples:
Zarifi is more athletic than Zuhairi. First they tested strength;
then, they tested agility.