People often make errors in diction. Some words are misspelled or misused which changes the meaning or sometimes interrupts conversation. Watch out for these errors and never misuse the words. Here are some of the most common diction errors.

Accept/Except. Accept (verb) means to take or receive, give favorable response to something, regard as proper. Except (conjunction) means to preclude or exclude. Except also means with the exception of; apart from: otherwise than; were it not true.
I must accept the invitation because it was sent from a respectable person. Your behavior is so inacceptable that you are excepted from the general pardon.

Affect/Effect. Affect (verb) means to influence or impress, to feign or assume; produce a change in; to stir the emotions. As a noun, affect means observed emotional response. Effect (noun or verb) means to cause or bring about; as a noun, effect means result, purpose or influence.
Bad weather adversely affects human mood. Time pressure effected numerous mistakes.

Aggravate/Annoy. Aggravate means worsen or exacerbate. Annoy means irritate.
The patient’s condition aggravates despite doctor’s efforts. The fly annoyed me.


All Intensive Purposes vs. All Intents and Purposes
All intensive purpose is an incorrect use of the phrase all intents and purposes.
All intents and purposes is a phrase that means for all practical purposes or under most usual situations. For example,
We have to use Standard English for all intents and purposes.

A Lot vs. Allot
A lot means many. It is spelled as two separate words. For example, I really appreciate your help: it means a lot to me. A lot of people wear jeans.
Allot (verb) means to distribute, give or assign.
I only can allot $50 for entertainment each week.

Allusion vs. Illusion
Allusion (noun) means an indirect reference, hint.
The magazine article makes an allusion to S. Hawking’s book.
Illusion (noun) is a false idea or conception; belief or opinion not in accord with the facts; an unreal, deceptive, or misleading appearance or image.
Mirage is an optical illusion.

Awhile vs. A while
Awhile (adverb) means for a while; for a short time. For example,
She plans to stay awhile.
When while is used as the object of the preposition in the expression for a while, the a is separated from the while. For example,
They came here for a while.