Learn on PengiElements of Language, 2nd CourseChapter 16: Spelling: Improving Your Spelling

Lesson 6: Words Often Confused C

In this Grade 5 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 2nd Course, students practice distinguishing between commonly confused words including passed/past, peace/piece, principal/principle, and to/too/two. The lesson explains how some of these words are homonyms with identical pronunciations but different spellings and meanings, while others share similar spellings but carry distinct definitions. Students apply their understanding through exercises that require selecting the correct word based on context and meaning.

Section 1

Passed / Past

Definition

passed [verb, past tense of pass] went by
past [noun] that which has gone by [preposition] beyond [adjective] ended

Explanation

Think of passed as an action word. It's the past tense of "to pass," like when a car passed you on the road. Past usually has to do with time or place. You can talk about something that happened in the past (time) or walk past a building (place).

Examples

  • The marching band passed the cheering crowds. [This is an action that happened.]
  • In the past, people wrote letters by hand. [This refers to a time that has gone by.]
  • We drove past my old school on the way to the park. [This means we went beyond it.]

Section 2

Peace / Piece

Definition

peace [noun] security and quiet order
piece [noun] a part of something

Explanation

Peace is a feeling of calm and quiet, like the peace you feel at a quiet lake. A piece is a single part of a whole, like a puzzle piece or a piece of a cookie. A helpful trick to remember the difference is that you eat a piece of pie.

Examples

  • The world leaders met to discuss a plan for world peace. [The meaning is security and quiet order.]
  • I can't finish the jigsaw puzzle because one piece is missing. [The meaning is a part of something.]

Section 3

Pincipal / Principle

Definition

principal [noun] the head of a school; [adjective] main; most important
principle [noun] a rule of conduct; a main fact or law

Explanation

A principal can be a person—the head of your school—or it can mean the main or most important thing. Just remember, the principal is your pal. A principle is a belief, a rule, or a law you live by, like the importance of being honest.

Examples

  • The principal reason for our visit is to see the new exhibit. [The meaning is main or most important.]
  • Our school principal, Mr. Jones, knows every student by name. [The meaning is the head of a school.]
  • A basic principle of friendship is trust. [The meaning is a rule of conduct.]

Section 4

To / Too / Two

Definition

to [preposition] in the direction of; toward [also used before the root form of a verb, such as to be or to have]
too [adverb] also, more than enough
two [noun] cardinal number between one and three [adjective] one more than one

Explanation

Use to when you are showing direction or with a verb. Use too when you mean "also" or "excessively." And two is only for the number 2. Here's a tip: too has an extra "o" because it means "more than enough" or it adds something on ("also").

Examples

  • We went to the library to find a book. [The first 'to' shows direction; the second is part of the verb 'to find'.]
  • This soup is too hot, but I want some, too. [The first 'too' means more than enough; the second 'too' means also.]
  • The cat had two kittens. [The meaning is the number 2.]

Book overview

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Chapter 16: Spelling: Improving Your Spelling

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Words with ie and ei

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Prefixes and Suffixes

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Plurals of Nouns

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Words Often Confused A

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: Words Often Confused B

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  6. Lesson 6Current

    Lesson 6: Words Often Confused C

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Section 1

Passed / Past

Definition

passed [verb, past tense of pass] went by
past [noun] that which has gone by [preposition] beyond [adjective] ended

Explanation

Think of passed as an action word. It's the past tense of "to pass," like when a car passed you on the road. Past usually has to do with time or place. You can talk about something that happened in the past (time) or walk past a building (place).

Examples

  • The marching band passed the cheering crowds. [This is an action that happened.]
  • In the past, people wrote letters by hand. [This refers to a time that has gone by.]
  • We drove past my old school on the way to the park. [This means we went beyond it.]

Section 2

Peace / Piece

Definition

peace [noun] security and quiet order
piece [noun] a part of something

Explanation

Peace is a feeling of calm and quiet, like the peace you feel at a quiet lake. A piece is a single part of a whole, like a puzzle piece or a piece of a cookie. A helpful trick to remember the difference is that you eat a piece of pie.

Examples

  • The world leaders met to discuss a plan for world peace. [The meaning is security and quiet order.]
  • I can't finish the jigsaw puzzle because one piece is missing. [The meaning is a part of something.]

Section 3

Pincipal / Principle

Definition

principal [noun] the head of a school; [adjective] main; most important
principle [noun] a rule of conduct; a main fact or law

Explanation

A principal can be a person—the head of your school—or it can mean the main or most important thing. Just remember, the principal is your pal. A principle is a belief, a rule, or a law you live by, like the importance of being honest.

Examples

  • The principal reason for our visit is to see the new exhibit. [The meaning is main or most important.]
  • Our school principal, Mr. Jones, knows every student by name. [The meaning is the head of a school.]
  • A basic principle of friendship is trust. [The meaning is a rule of conduct.]

Section 4

To / Too / Two

Definition

to [preposition] in the direction of; toward [also used before the root form of a verb, such as to be or to have]
too [adverb] also, more than enough
two [noun] cardinal number between one and three [adjective] one more than one

Explanation

Use to when you are showing direction or with a verb. Use too when you mean "also" or "excessively." And two is only for the number 2. Here's a tip: too has an extra "o" because it means "more than enough" or it adds something on ("also").

Examples

  • We went to the library to find a book. [The first 'to' shows direction; the second is part of the verb 'to find'.]
  • This soup is too hot, but I want some, too. [The first 'too' means more than enough; the second 'too' means also.]
  • The cat had two kittens. [The meaning is the number 2.]

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 16: Spelling: Improving Your Spelling

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Words with ie and ei

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Prefixes and Suffixes

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Plurals of Nouns

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Words Often Confused A

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: Words Often Confused B

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  6. Lesson 6Current

    Lesson 6: Words Often Confused C

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