Accept: a verb meaning to take or receive.
'I accept that your decision is the correct one.'

Except: also a verb, but means to exclude or leave out. 'I want them all, except the red one.'


Affect/Effect

Affect: a verb which means to influence or to change.
'The hot sun had an affect on me. I sat in the shade.'

Effect: a verb that means an effect, result or consequence.
'The sun's rays caused a curious side effect.'


Allusion/Illusion/Elude

Allusion: a noun which means a passing or casual reference.
'She didn't say it directly, but alluded that she was disappointed.'

Illusion: a noun which means something that gives a false impression of reality. 'The magician performed the illusion, and made himself disappear.'

Elude: a verb that means to avoid or escape by speed and cleverness. 'The jewel thief has once again eluded the police.'


Any way/Anyway

Any way: any way is correct when the adjective any qualifies the noun way. 'Isn't there any way we can go?'

Anyway: an adverb that means nonetheless or regardless. 'I don't care. I didn't want to go anyway.'


Beside/Besides

Beside: a preposition that means at the side of or near.
'I stood beside the front door.'

Besides: an adverb which means moreover or furthermore. 'I wanted to go. Besides, I deserved it.'


Capital/Capitol

Capital: a noun. The city that is the official seat of government. 'London is the capital of England.'

Capitol: a noun. A building occupied by the state legislature. 'They work in the capitol building.'


Complement/Compliment

Complement: something that completes or makes perfect. 'The dessert wine made a perfect complement to the pudding.'

Compliment: an expression of praise. 'The bride was complimented on the beauty of her dress.'


Climactic/Climatic

Climactic: a climax, coming to an end. 'The climactic scene in Hamlet is very tragic.'

Climatic: an adjective that relates to the climate of our planet. 'The climatic conditions were worsening.'


Dessert/Desert

Dessert: a noun. A sweet or pudding that serves as the final course in a meal. 'We're having ice-cream for dessert.'

Desert: a noun. An arid region that has little to no rainfall or vegetation. 'The Sahara is a massive desert.'

Desert: a verb. To leave without intending to return. 'The soldier deserted from the army.'


Elicit/Illicit

Elicit: a verb which means to bring out or evoke. 'The psychologist stayed silent in order to elicit a response from his patient.'

Illicit: an adjective which means something that is not legal or authorized. 'The thief had on him an illicit substance.'


Its/It's

Its: pronoun. The possessive form of it. 'The car has lost its motor.'

It's: Is a contraction of it is. It is a fine sunny day,' becomes 'It's a fine sunny day.'


Principle/Principal

Principle: an accepted rule of action or conduct. 'Our teacher has good principles and doesn't like dishonesty.'

Principal: the head or director of a school. 'The school principal was very strict.'


Than/Then

Than: conjunction. Used to introduce the second part of an unequal comparison. 'He is much faster than me.'

Then: adverb. Means at that time. 'The car started and then it stopped.'


There/Their/They're

There: adverb. In or at that place. 'He's over there.'

Their: pronoun. A possessive pronoun, of they. 'It's their new house.'

They're: contraction of they are. 'They are over there,' becomes 'They're over there.'


To/Too/Two

To: preposition. Used for expressing direction toward a point. 'We went to the back of the bus.'

Too: adverb. Means in addition to or furthermore. 'My brother and I want to go too.'

Two: a cardinal number 1 plus 1. 'I want two pieces of toast for breakfast.'


Your/You're

Your: a pronoun. A possessive form of you. 'It's your jacket. You wear it.'

You're: A contraction of you are. 'You are welcome to play,' becomes 'You're welcome to play.'