Question

These are confused pairs of words. Choose the correct alternative for each sentence
1. COMMON / MUTUAL
a) The firm agreed that increasing client satisfaction was our ……….........goal.
b) It was in the parties' .................... interest to reach an agreement quickly.
2. LESS / FEWER
a) There were ................ hours logged than the company expected.
b) The amount of gasoline was ………...... than we had budgeted for.
3. PRINCIPLE / PRINCIPAL
a) The ................. reason we didn't pursue it was the cost.
b) We didn't want to continue the case, mostly because of ……........... .
4. AFFECT / EFFECT
a) The cost will ............... the final contract.
b) We know that the .............. of the merger will create problems.

Answer 1

1. COMMON / MUTUAL
a) The firm agreed that increasing client satisfaction was our COMMON goal.
b) It was in the parties' MUTUAL interest to reach an agreement quickly.
2. LESS / FEWER
a) There were  FEWER hours logged than the company expected.
b) The amount of gasoline was LESS than we had budgeted for.
3. PRINCIPLE / PRINCIPAL
a) The PRINCIPAL reason we didn't pursue it was the cost.
b) We didn't want to continue the case, mostly because of PRINCIPLE .
4. AFFECT / EFFECT
a) The cost will AFFECT the final contract.
b) We know that the EFFECT of the merger will create problems.