Using Words Correctly 1

When you write, you need to make sure to use words correctly. Watch for these troublesome pairs:

• accept, except: Accept is to receive or believe. Except means "not including" or "other than."

  Andrea would have accepted my friend request except that she didn't see it.

• board, bored: Board refers to a flat piece of wood. Bored means feeling uninterested and weary.

  I was so bored I started at my screen like it was a blank board.