Catie Holdridge
English can be a confusing language. Swapping one word for another that sounds exactly the same (a homophone) can alter the meaning completely. Picking the right one gives your business writing credibility. Here are some commonly confused words clarified, to help you make the right choice every time.
1. Practice and Practise
Practice with a ‘c’ is the noun – so it can mean a ‘rehearsal’, a ‘run-through’ or an office belonging to certain professionals. For example, a doctor’s practice, a lawyer’s practice or the dreaded dentist’s practice.
Practise with an ‘s’ is the verb (in UK English) and means ‘to do’ or ‘to carry out’. So you could say, ‘Tracey practised singing Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” on several occasions. But it didn’t help her get into the Pop Idol final – or, Plan B, the convent.’
Note that US English uses ‘practice’ for both noun and verb.
2. Desert and Dessert
A desert is a wasteland or a wilderness that quite often features sand and a few camels. A dessert is a big fat pudding! Think ss for sugary sweet.
3. Your and You’re
Use ‘your’ when talking about your pen, your file, your desk. Use ‘you’re’ when you mean ‘you are’. For example, ‘You’re going to work today. Because your boss will give you the heave-ho if you take another sick day.’
4. There, They’re and Their
Arranging a night out at a swanky bar with your friends? You can say, ‘Great, I’ll see you there!’ They’re sure to wear their finest cocktail attire.
5. Affect and Effect
A person can be affected by an incident whereas an effect is the result of an incident. For example, ‘Jim was deeply affected by his wife running off with the Australian travel rep. The effects of this were: he had a funny turn whenever “Skippy the Bush Kangaroo” was on TV, and he decided to holiday in Skegness, not Sydney, in future.’
6. Horde and Hoard
Horde can be used to describe a crowd. For example, hordes of people attended the rugby match. Whereas a hoard is a stash of treasure.
7. Stationary and Stationery
Confused about when to use ‘stationery’ or ‘stationary’? When you are writing about paper products or similar, think ‘e’ for exercise book and use ‘stationery’. Or you could think of a stationary car, which rhymes with ‘ar’.
8. Canvass and Canvas
A slimy politician will canvass votes. But canvas is a type of material favoured by artists – or festival-goers pitching their tents.
9. Bare and Bear
When the sun comes out, Britons strip off and bare all in their swimming costumes. But can you bear the sight of all that exposed flesh?
10. Compliment and Complement
To compliment someone is to make an encouraging remark. Complementing them, however, may be more welcome, as it means to support or help.
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