Eva ketch yuhself inna one conversation and want to use one word, even if it nuh big, an’ yuh hestistate likkle den spit it out wid confidence?
All when yuh deh pon yuh phone a type it still a reach yuh, even wid spellcheck yuh click the wrong word cause yuh nuh know di right one? Yuh neva think sinting did wrong?
Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t want anyone to think that I’m this grammar expert, but specialising in English language and literature has definitely heightened my awareness, or for want of a better word ‘sensitised’ me to the ‘lingua franca’ of the world and the usage thereof. It is common when communicating to misuse words that sound the same but are spelt differently.
Now when this occurs what happens is that it changes the meaning of what you are trying to communicate, or have other people thinking you are “cuh-ray-zee”! No, not really, but it may raise an eyebrow or two. I mean God forbid you do that in something as life-changing as a job interview. That can make the interviewer cringe. Remember people are people, and they tend to forget that we are all humans and that we make mistakes at times. But let’s face it, it can cost you the job!
It’s about time you say what you mean and mean what you say! It’s time for you to equip yourselves with the knowledge required to stop making these same errors. You are not alone as I too make mistakes from time to time. Subsequently, I have compiled a relatively useful list of commonly misused homophones in the English language. Additionally, I have constructed sentences which highlight its usage.
Now, some of you may ask, “What is a homophone?” Homophones are words that are pronounced alike, not always spelt the same and differs in meaning.
Put over there BEWARE! THE FOLLOWING WORDS ARE SEEMINGLY SIMPLE BUT COMMONLY MISTAKEN. HERE WE GO…
1. COMPLEMENT vs COMPLIMENT
To COMPLEMENT is to complete something or to enhance it, whereas, to COMPLIMENT is to give praise.
It is in a husband’s best interest to COMPLIMENT his wife when she COMPLEMENTS her outfit with matching accessories.
2. PALATE vs PALETTE
The word PALATE refers to the roof of your mouth or describes your sense of taste. On the other hand, a PALETTE is a set of colours or the board artists use to hold paint.
While I stood there appeasing my PALATE with red wine, Raphael painted me with a myriad of colours from his PALETTE.
3. INSTANCE vs. INSTANTS
The word INSTANCE means an occurrence or an example; while INSTANTS is the plural of INSTANT which means a moment of time.
Another INSTANCE where the couple showed their love at the wedding was when they shared their first kiss, which lasted no longer than a few INSTANTS.
4. ALTAR vs. ALTER
An ALTAR refers to a table or flat surface where religious rituals occur; whereas, ALTER speaks to a cause to change, a transformation or to make different.
When you make up your mind to leave your problems on the ALTAR, don’t allow anybody to ALTER your decision.
5. PEEK vs. PEAK vs. PIQUE
A PEEK is a glance or a quick look; PEAK is a topmost point and PIQUE is to excite someone.
Although I am fearful of heights I climbed to the PEAK of the mountain and took a PEEK of the view which was a PIQUE to my interest.
6. WEATHER vs WHETHER
The word WEATHER refers to the atmospheric conditions in a particular place at a particular time; whereas WHETHER introduces two alternatives.
WHETHER or not the WEATHER permits, the show must go on.
To continue reading, purchase Vol.8 #6, 2016 Issue.
Share this post:
Eva ketch yuhself inna one conversation and want to use one word, even if it nuh big, an’ yuh hestistate likkle den spit it out wid confidence?
All when yuh deh pon yuh phone a type it still a reach yuh, even wid spellcheck yuh click the wrong word cause yuh nuh know di right one? Yuh neva think sinting did wrong?
Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t want anyone to think that I’m this grammar expert, but specialising in English language and literature has definitely heightened my awareness, or for want of a better word ‘sensitised’ me to the ‘lingua franca’ of the world and the usage thereof. It is common when communicating to misuse words that sound the same but are spelt differently.
Now when this occurs what happens is that it changes the meaning of what you are trying to communicate, or have other people thinking you are “cuh-ray-zee”! No, not really, but it may raise an eyebrow or two. I mean God forbid you do that in something as life-changing as a job interview. That can make the interviewer cringe. Remember people are people, and they tend to forget that we are all humans and that we make mistakes at times. But let’s face it, it can cost you the job!
It’s about time you say what you mean and mean what you say! It’s time for you to equip yourselves with the knowledge required to stop making these same errors. You are not alone as I too make mistakes from time to time. Subsequently, I have compiled a relatively useful list of commonly misused homophones in the English language. Additionally, I have constructed sentences which highlight its usage.
Now, some of you may ask, “What is a homophone?” Homophones are words that are pronounced alike, not always spelt the same and differs in meaning.
Put over there BEWARE! THE FOLLOWING WORDS ARE SEEMINGLY SIMPLE BUT COMMONLY MISTAKEN. HERE WE GO…
1. COMPLEMENT vs COMPLIMENT
To COMPLEMENT is to complete something or to enhance it, whereas, to COMPLIMENT is to give praise.
It is in a husband’s best interest to COMPLIMENT his wife when she COMPLEMENTS her outfit with matching accessories.
2. PALATE vs PALETTE
The word PALATE refers to the roof of your mouth or describes your sense of taste. On the other hand, a PALETTE is a set of colours or the board artists use to hold paint.
While I stood there appeasing my PALATE with red wine, Raphael painted me with a myriad of colours from his PALETTE.
3. INSTANCE vs. INSTANTS
The word INSTANCE means an occurrence or an example; while INSTANTS is the plural of INSTANT which means a moment of time.
Another INSTANCE where the couple showed their love at the wedding was when they shared their first kiss, which lasted no longer than a few INSTANTS.
4. ALTAR vs. ALTER
An ALTAR refers to a table or flat surface where religious rituals occur; whereas, ALTER speaks to a cause to change, a transformation or to make different.
When you make up your mind to leave your problems on the ALTAR, don’t allow anybody to ALTER your decision.
5. PEEK vs. PEAK vs. PIQUE
A PEEK is a glance or a quick look; PEAK is a topmost point and PIQUE is to excite someone.
Although I am fearful of heights I climbed to the PEAK of the mountain and took a PEEK of the view which was a PIQUE to my interest.
6. WEATHER vs WHETHER
The word WEATHER refers to the atmospheric conditions in a particular place at a particular time; whereas WHETHER introduces two alternatives.
WHETHER or not the WEATHER permits, the show must go on.
To continue reading, purchase Vol.8 #6, 2016 Issue.
Share this post: