pairs of words with distinct meanings and usage that are commonly confused:

1. Accept vs. Except:

   • "Accept" means to receive or agree to something. Example: She accepted the job offer.
   • "Except" means to exclude or leave out. Example: Everyone was present except for John.

2. Affect vs. Effect:

   • "Affect" is typically a verb and means to influence or have an impact on something. Example: The weather can affect your mood.
   • "Effect" is usually a noun and refers to the result or outcome of an action. Example: The effect of the new policy was positive.

3. Complement vs. Compliment:

   • "Complement" refers to something that completes or goes well with something else. Example: The red wine complements the steak.
   • "Compliment" is a polite expression of praise or admiration. Example: She received a compliment on her presentation.

4. Principal vs. Principle:

   • "Principal" can mean the head of a school or an important person. Example: The principal of the school greeted the students.
   • "Principle" refers to a fundamental belief, rule, or concept. Example: Honesty is a fundamental principle.

5. Their vs. There vs. They're:

   • "Their" is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership by a group. Example: It's their house.
   • "There" is an adverb indicating a place or location. Example: The keys are over there.
   • "They're" is a contraction of "they are." Example: They're coming to the party.

6. Its vs. It's:

   • "Its" is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership by a thing or animal. Example: The dog wagged its tail.
   • "It's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has." Example: It's raining outside.

7. Lose vs. Loose:

   • "Lose" is a verb meaning to be deprived of something or to fail to win. Example: Don't lose your keys.
   • "Loose" is an adjective describing something not firmly attached or tight. Example: His shirt is too loose.

8. Than vs. Then:

• "Than" is used to make comparisons. Example: She is taller than him.
• "Then" is an adverb indicating a sequence in time. Example: First, we'll eat, and then we'll go for a walk.
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9. These pairs of words can be tricky due to their similar spellings or sounds, but understanding their distinct meanings and usage can help you use them correctly in sentences.