Juxtaposition

This post about Grammar Nerds reminded me that I've long wanted to write about some common mistakes I see over and over on the Internet and in emails.

The most common thing that I notice is confusing words that sound somewhat alike but have very different meanings and spellings:

• conscious/conscience
If your conscience is bothering you, you are conscious.
• effect/affect
Will poor grammer affect your chances of getting that next job?
Missing out on that next job may be the likely effect (outcome) of being sloppy with grammar.
• console/consul
You can change administrative settings via an application or server console.
• bare/bear
Bear in mind these grammar rules for next time.
• there/their/they're
They're = They are
There = refers to a location (e.g. over there)
Their = a possessive pronoun; used when referring to group possession of a thing or quality
• your/you're
You're = You are
Your = possessive pronoun; used when referring to someone possessing a thing or quality
• e.g./i.e.
e.g. = exempli gratia (for example); use when providing an example for clarification
i.e. = id est (that is... or "in effect"); use when providing additional clarifying information, not through the use of an example
• lose/loose
I always see this one when someone misspells lose as "loose". Playing fast and loose with spelling!
• mute/moot
When using the phrase, "a moot point" or similar, "this may become moot", moot is the right spelling. Mute refers to remaining or being unable to speak.
• to/two/too
Too = also
two = the number 2
to = a preposition meaning a variety of things, such as "toward"

There are a ton of sites that go into more detail than this. A simple google search will find most all of them. Or just check your favorite dictionary.