Ready to dominate the ParaPro Writing test? Dive into this upgraded guide to conquer word usage errors with confidence and elevate your teaching assistant skills to new heights!
What Are Word Usage Errors?
Building on our mastery of grammar errors from the last unit, this ParaPro Writing Study Guide zeroes in on word usage errors—those tricky missteps where similar-sounding or closely related words trip up writers. The exam tests your ability to differentiate homophones (e.g., “your” vs. “you’re”), contextual nuances (e.g., “affect” vs. “effect”), and two-word vs. one-word distinctions (e.g., “everyone” vs. “every one”). Mastering these ensures you can guide students and ace the assessment.
These skills are essential for supporting student writing and tackling 10-15 of the 90 exam questions focused on practical application.
Why Word Usage Errors Matter
Approximately 10-15 of the 90 ParaPro questions assess your knack for spotting and correcting word usage errors in real-world writing scenarios. This ability is a cornerstone of classroom support, helping students refine their expression and boosting your exam performance as a teaching assistant.
Types of Word Usage Errors
Mastering Homophones
Homophones are words that sound alike but differ in meaning and spelling (e.g., “their,” “there,” “they’re”). Errors arise when writers choose the wrong word due to sound similarity. Use the contraction test (e.g., replace “they’re” with “they are”) or location/possession checks (e.g., “there” for place, “their” for ownership) to decide. Practice with common pairs like “your/you’re,” “who’s/whose,” and “its/it’s” to build confidence.
Example 1
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“Your going to love the new park over there.”
- A) Your
- B) Going
- C) Over
- D) There
Answer: A) Your
Explanation: “Your” should be “you’re” (you are). Test with “you are going” to confirm. “There” is correct for location.
Example 2
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“The dog lost its bone, and who’s looking for it?”
- A) Its
- B) Lost
- C) Who’s
- D) Looking
Answer: C) Who’s
Explanation: “Who’s” (who is) doesn’t fit; use “whose” (possession). “Its” is correct without an apostrophe.
Example 3
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“Their excited to see there new teacher today.”
- A) Their
- B) Excited
- C) There
- D) New
Answer: A) Their & C) There
Explanation: “Their” should be “they’re” (they are), and “there” should be “their” (possession). Test both with “they are” and ownership.
Example 4
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“Whose going to the game, its going to be fun!”
- A) Whose
- B) Going
- C) Its
- D) Fun
Answer: A) Whose & C) Its
Explanation: “Whose” should be “who’s” (who is), and “its” should be “it’s” (it is). Test with contractions.
Navigating Context-Based Errors
Context-based errors involve words with similar meanings or sounds but different uses (e.g., “then” vs. “than,” “affect” vs. “effect”). “Then” relates to time, while “than” compares. “Affect” is typically a verb (action), and “effect” a noun (result), with rare exceptions. Use vowel sound emphasis (e.g., “a” for action in “affect”) and context clues to differentiate. Pairs like “weather/whether” and “accept/except” also require situational awareness.
Example 1
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“The storm was worse then we expected.”
- A) Storm
- B) Was
- C) Then
- D) Expected
Answer: C) Then
Explanation: “Then” should be “than” for comparison. Use the “a” sound for comparison.
Example 2
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“The decision will effect our plans tomorrow.”
- A) Decision
- B) Will
- C) Effect
- D) Plans
Answer: C) Effect
Explanation: “Effect” should be “affect” (verb). Use “a” for action, “e” for result.
Example 3
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“Whether it rains, we’ll go hiking.”
- A) Whether
- B) It
- C) Rains
- D) Hiking
Answer: A) Whether
Explanation: “Whether” should be “weather” (rain). “Whether” is for options.
Example 4
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“I accept all invitations except the noisy ones.”
- A) Accept
- B) Except
- C) Invitations
- D) Noisy
Answer: A) Accept
Explanation: “Accept” should be “except” (exclusion). Use “x” for exclusion.
Distinguishing One-Word vs. Two-Word Phrases
Some errors stem from confusing one-word terms with two-word phrases (e.g., “everyone” vs. “every one,” “altogether” vs. “all together”). “Everyone” refers to a group as a whole, while “every one” emphasizes individuals. “Altogether” means wholly, while “all together” describes a group’s action. Look for context clues like intervening phrases (e.g., “all our books together”) to decide.
Example 1
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“Every one of the students were excited.”
- A) Every one
- B) Were
- C) Excited
- D) Students
Answer: A) Every one
Explanation: “Every one” should be “everyone” (group). “Every one” needs a following phrase.
Example 2
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“We put all together the pieces of the puzzle.”
- A) All together
- B) Put
- C) Pieces
- D) Puzzle
Answer: A) All together
Explanation: “All together” should be “altogether” (wholly). Check for intervening words.
Example 3
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“I checked every one of the answers carefully.”
- A) Every one
- B) Checked
- C) Answers
- D) Carefully
Answer: A) Every one
Explanation: “Every one” is correct with “of the answers.” No change needed.
Example 4
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“Everyone sang, all together in harmony.”
- A) Everyone
- B) Sang
- C) All together
- D) Harmony
Answer: C) All together
Explanation: “All together” should be “altogether” (wholly). Context fits a single action.
Applying Subject vs. Object Rules
“Who” vs. “whom” hinges on subject vs. object roles. Use “who” for subjects (replaceable with “he/she”) and “whom” for objects (replaceable with “him/her”). This builds on pronoun lessons from the grammar unit. Practice with questions or clauses to master this distinction, avoiding common overcorrections.
Example 1
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“Who did you give the book to?”
- A) Who
- B) Did
- C) Give
- D) To
Answer: A) Who
Explanation: “Whom” fits as the object (give to him). Test with “him.”
Example 2
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“Whom is coming to the party?”
- A) Whom
- B) Is
- C) Coming
- D) Party
Answer: A) Whom
Explanation: “Who” fits as the subject (he is coming). Test with “he.”
Example 3
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“The person who we met was kind.”
- A) Who
- B) We
- C) Met
- D) Was
Answer: A) Who
Explanation: “Whom” fits as the object (we met him). Test with “him.”
Example 4
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“Who should I ask about this?”
- A) Who
- B) Should
- C) Ask
- D) About
Answer: A) Who
Explanation: “Whom” fits as the object (ask him). Test with “him.”
Clarifying Adjective vs. Adverb Usage
“Good” (adjective) describes nouns, while “well” (adverb) modifies verbs, except in health contexts (“I feel well”). Errors occur when writers misuse these (e.g., “She runs good” should be “She runs well”). Practice with verbs vs. nouns, and note the health exception to avoid mistakes.
Example 1
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“He did good on the test.”
- A) He
- B) Did
- C) Good
- D) Test
Answer: C) Good
Explanation: “Good” should be “well” (adverb for “did”).
Example 2
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“She feels well after resting.”
- A) She
- B) Feels
- C) Well
- D) Resting
Answer: C) Well
Explanation: “Well” is correct in health context; no error.
Example 3
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“The cake tastes goodly.”
- A) Cake
- B) Tastes
- C) Goodly
- D) No error
Answer: C) Goodly
Explanation: “Goodly” should be “good” (adjective for “cake”).
Example 4
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“He sings well in the choir.”
- A) He
- B) Sings
- C) Well
- D) Choir
Answer: C) Well
Explanation: “Well” is correct as an adverb; no error.
Tackling Countable vs. Uncountable Distinctions
“Less” applies to uncountable nouns (e.g., “less water”), while “fewer” fits countable nouns (e.g., “fewer bottles”). Errors are common in daily use, like supermarket signs. Test by asking if you can count the item—countable gets “fewer.”
Example 1
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“I have less books than you.”
- A) I
- B) Less
- C) Books
- D) You
Answer: B) Less
Explanation: “Less” should be “fewer” (books are countable).
Example 2
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“She used fewer sugar in the recipe.”
- A) She
- B) Fewer
- C) Sugar
- D) Recipe
Answer: B) Fewer
Explanation: “Fewer” should be “less” (sugar is uncountable).
Example 3
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“There are less people here today.”
- A) There
- B) Less
- C) People
- D) Today
Answer: B) Less
Explanation: “Less” should be “fewer” (people are countable).
Example 4
Directions: Identify the inappropriate word usage in the sentence.
“He drank less water than usual.”
- A) He
- B) Less
- C) Water
- D) Usual
Answer: B) Less
Explanation: “Less” is correct (water is uncountable); no error.
Reading and Analyzing Word Usage Errors
During the exam, dissect sentences to pinpoint usage errors. Highlight potential homophones, check context for “affect/effect” or “then/than,” and test countable vs. uncountable nouns. This mirrors real-world editing, enhancing your classroom support skills.
Easy Steps to Master Word Usage Errors
Follow these steps to excel:
- Identify potential homophones or similar-sounding words.
- Apply the contraction or context test (e.g., “they are” for “they’re”).
- Check for one-word vs. two-word confusion.
- Verify subject/object roles for “who/whom.”
- Practice with diverse examples daily.
Test tip: Use mental substitution to confirm usage!
Quiz for Topic
Ready to test your mastery? Take our 10-question word usage quiz below to sharpen your skills!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tell ‘your’ from ‘you’re’?
Replace with “you are”—if it fits, use “you’re.” Otherwise, it’s “your” (possession). Tip: Practice with sentences!
Why is ‘affect’ vs. ‘effect’ so tricky?
“Affect” is usually a verb (action), “effect” a noun (result). Use “a” for action. Tip: Memorize with examples!
How many usage questions are on the exam?
About 10-15 of 90 questions. Tip: Use our free quizzes to prepare!
Can this improve my teaching?
Absolutely! It refines your ability to guide student writing. Tip: Apply with students daily!
Where can I practice more?
Explore our free ParaPro writing tests online. Tip: Review one topic per day!
What if I confuse ‘less’ and ‘fewer’?
Count the item—if you can, use “fewer”; if not, use “less.” Tip: Test with numbers!
How do I master ‘who’ vs. ‘whom’?
Use “he/she” for “who” (subject), “him/her” for “whom” (object). Tip: Practice with questions!