Key Takeaways
- Affect is usually a verb (to influence); effect is usually a noun (result)
- Their (possessive), there (location), they're (they are) have distinct meanings
- Its (possessive) has no apostrophe; it's means "it is"
- I before E except after C (with exceptions like "weird")
- Double final consonants in CVC words when adding vowel suffixes (stop → stopping)
Last updated: January 2026
Spelling and Commonly Confused Words
The TEAS tests your knowledge of correct spelling and the ability to distinguish between commonly confused words. These skills are essential for clear medical documentation.
Commonly Confused Words
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| affect | Verb: to influence | The medication will affect her mood. |
| effect | Noun: result | The medication had a positive effect. |
| accept | Verb: to receive | She will accept the diagnosis. |
| except | Preposition: excluding | Everyone except the patient left. |
| then | Indicates time | First check vitals, then give medication. |
| than | Comparison | The patient is older than expected. |
| their | Possessive pronoun | Their results are ready. |
| there | Location | The chart is over there. |
| they're | Contraction: they are | They're waiting for results. |
| your | Possessive pronoun | Your appointment is tomorrow. |
| you're | Contraction: you are | You're scheduled for surgery. |
| its | Possessive pronoun | The hospital updated its policy. |
| it's | Contraction: it is | It's important to wash your hands. |
| whose | Possessive | Whose chart is this? |
| who's | Contraction: who is | Who's the attending physician? |
| to | Preposition/infinitive | She went to the lab. |
| too | Also; excessive | That's too much medication. |
| two | Number 2 | Give two pills daily. |
More Commonly Confused Pairs
| Words | Usage |
|---|---|
| lose / loose | Lose = fail to keep; Loose = not tight |
| principal / principle | Principal = main/head of school; Principle = rule/belief |
| stationary / stationery | Stationary = not moving; Stationery = paper supplies |
| complement / compliment | Complement = complete; Compliment = praise |
| council / counsel | Council = group; Counsel = advice/advisor |
| cite / site / sight | Cite = quote; Site = location; Sight = vision |
| passed / past | Passed = went by (verb); Past = previous time |
| breath / breathe | Breath = noun; Breathe = verb |
| conscious / conscience | Conscious = aware; Conscience = moral sense |
Spelling Rules
1. I Before E Rule
- General: i before e except after c
- Examples: believe, receive, ceiling
- Exceptions: weird, neither, leisure, seize
2. Dropping the Silent E
- Drop e when adding suffix starting with vowel: hope → hoping
- Keep e when adding suffix starting with consonant: hope → hopeful
- Exception: judgment, acknowledgment
3. Changing Y to I
- Change y to i when adding suffix (if y follows consonant): happy → happiness
- Keep y if suffix starts with i: carry → carrying
- Keep y if y follows vowel: play → played
4. Doubling the Final Consonant
- Double when:
- Word ends in consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC)
- Word is one syllable OR stress is on last syllable
- Suffix starts with vowel
- Examples: stop → stopping, begin → beginning
- Don't double: open → opening (stress not on last syllable)
Medical Terminology Spelling
| Word | Common Misspelling |
|---|---|
| hemorrhage | hemmorage, hemorhage |
| diarrhea | diarhea, diarrea |
| abscess | abcess |
| occurrence | occurence, occurance |
| accommodate | accomodate |
| necessary | neccessary, necesary |
| maintenance | maintainance |
| separate | seperate |
| definitely | definately |
| occurred | occured |
Strategies for Spelling Success
1. Learn Root Words Understanding roots helps spell related words:
- "Cardi-" (heart): cardiac, cardiologist, cardiovascular
- "Derm-" (skin): dermatology, epidermis
2. Use Mnemonics
- "There" has "here" in it (location)
- "Stationery" has an "e" like "envelope"
- "Principal" is your "pal"
3. Sound Out Syllables Break words into parts: ne-ces-sar-y, sep-a-rate
4. Visualize the Word Picture the correct spelling in your mind.
5. Proofread Carefully Spell-check doesn't catch correctly spelled wrong words (their/there).
Test Your Knowledge
Choose the correct sentence.
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
Which sentence uses "their," "there," and "they're" correctly?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
Which word is spelled correctly?
A
B
C
D