its / it’s

Its is the possessive form of it.

          The company promoted its (the company’s) new pizza.

It’s is the contraction of it is.

          It’s (Quikpizza is) delicious and low in fat.

imply / infer

You imply something by suggesting or hinting at it or expressing it indirectly.

          John’s description of Susan implied she was miserly.

You infer something from what you read or hear.

          I inferred from John’s remarks that Susan hoards her money.

farther / further

Farther relates to physical distance.

          Fred ran two miles farther than he usually does.

Further is a degree, time, or quantity word.

          Victoria is further along in her graduate work than I am.

irregardless / regardless / irrespective

Webster says, “Irregardless, a double negative, is never acceptable except when the intent is clearly humorous.”  Play it safe.  Regardless and irrespective are acceptable and standard.

fewer / less

Fewer is quantitative (numerical).  It means “not as many.”

          There are fewer calories in yogurt than in ice cream.

Less is qualitative.  It means “not as much.”

          Sheila is less happy than Marie.

between / among

Between is a preposition used to separate two entities.

            Let’s keep this secret between you and me.

Among is a preposition used to separate more than two entities.            

            The cards were dealt evenly among Joe, Jack, Jeff, and Jorge.