1. intents and purposes
2. intensive purposes

It sounds like "intensive purposes," but it's "intents and purposes."

1. Capitol
   capitol
2. capital

The capital of New York is Albany — "capital" is for cities (and money matters). "Capitol" always refers to a building, and "Capitol" with a capital C refers to the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

1. anyways
2. anyway

Always "anyway," never "anyways." Ever.

1. than
2. then

"Than" is for comparison, and "then" tells when.

1. illicit
2. elicit

"Illicit" is an adjective referring to going against morals or rules. "Elicit" is a verb meaning to draw out or evoke.

1. nonplussed
   unimpressed
2. They mean the same thing.

This is a controversial one. "Nonplussed" means "stunned or bewildered." But so many people use it to mean "unimpressed" that grammarians say the word is transforming. It's a tough call, but we're saying "unimpressed" is the correct word here.

1. ironic
   unfortunate
2. They mean the same thing.

Rain on your wedding day, or a free ride when you've already paid, are not ironic events. They're just unusual, unexpected or unfortunate happenings. This is not the spot to debate the many usages and definitions of irony, but most coincidences are not ironic.

1. practicable
2. practical

We guess it is possible that Rebecca wanted some outfits to be "put into use successfully," but more likely she wants "suitable" clothing for her trip.

1. Regardless
2. Irregardless

"Irregardless" seems to be gaining a foothold in the language, but it's not a word. Just say "regardless."

1. weary
   leery
2. wary/leery
   weary/leery

"Weary" means tired. "Wary" and "leery" are synonyms meaning suspicious or watchful.

1. flaunt/their/they're
   flaunt/they're/there
   flaunt/they're/their
2. flout/they're/there
   flout/their/there

"Flaunt" means to show off, and "flout" means to break the rules. "Their" is possessive, "they're" means they are and "there" always refers to a place.

1. tortuous
2. torturous

They differ by only one letter, but the meanings are very different. "Tortuous" means twisting or winding and "torturous" means "causing pain and suffering." So, tortuous roads could be torturous in some situations, but they're not the same thing.

1. illusions
2. allusions

An allusion is an indirect reference. An illusion is a misguided perception or belief.

1. eluding
   alluding
2. illuding

Because an allusion is an indirect reference, "alluding" means to indirectly refer to something. To "elude" is to hide. And "illude" is just a fake word.

1. simplistic
   simple
2. They mean the same thing.

"Simplistic" actually means "overly or naively simple," like a simplistic explanation or a simplistic view of life. A quilt is just simple.

1. affect
2. effect

When we're talking about nouns, "effect" is a change that resulted from some kind of action. "Affect" is a person's emotional demeanor.

1. affected
2. effected

"Affect" and "effect" are also verbs. "Affect" as a verb means "to have an influence on," "to touch someone emotionally," or "to put on a pretense." "Effect" means "to cause something to happen," or "to bring about."

1. enervated
   energized
2. They mean the same thing.

"Enervated" and "energized" are often used interchangeably for some reason, but they're actually opposites.

1. principle
2. principal

"Principal" has many meanings, including your "pal" the head of school (or the head of a business) — and the non-interest portion of a loan.

1. principle
2. principal

"Principle" always refers to a rule or belief.

1. hung
2. hanged

In general, "hung" is for inanimate objects, like curtains and coats, and "hanged" is for people.

1. climatic
2. climactic

"Climactic" is for the climax, or high point. "Climatic" refers to the climate.

1. toward
2. towards

"Towards" is never the correct answer.

1. immigrated
2. emigrated

"Emigrate" and "immigrate" are very similar in both spelling and meaning. When the focus of the sentence is on the place the person left, it's "emigrate." When the focus is on the place the person ended up, it's "immigrated." It's the "here" right after the verb that puts the focus on where hey wound up in this case.

1. You're
2. Your

"You're" = "you are," and never anything else.

1. bemused
2. amused

Amused means displaying amusement ; bemused means bewildered or confused.

1. laid
   layed
2. lied

"Lay" requires a direct object: You lay something down. "Laid" is the past tense of "lay."

1. lay
2. lie

Again, "lay" requires a direct object: You lay something down. "Lie" does not require a direct object: You lie down in bed.

1. lay
   layed
2. lie
   lied

But of course it's not always so straightforward. "Lay" is also the past tense of "lie," so it's not totally true that "lay" always needs a direct object. You can also "lay" on a bed (but only in the past).

1. could care less
2. couldn't care less

If you want to get literal about a figure of speech, "couldn't care less" is correct. If you "could care less," you're saying that it is possible you could care even less. But if you <i>couldn't</i> care less, you are officially at rock bottom of caring. Lisa could not possibly care any less about Tony.