Thanks to freelancer Sarah Brooks for this primer on some
oft-needed homonyms. You'll find more even trickier ones in the second
edition of The Frugal Editor
(e-book only for the time being), and in the free e-booklet offered by Barbara McNichols.
You can also get a free e-book on editing tips and lots of homonyms when
you subscribe to my SharingwithWriters newsletter on any page of my Web site, upper right corner.
Ten Tricky Homonyms
By Sarah Brooks
Homonyms
challenge writers to use the proper spelling and context to accurately convey
their ideas. In the English language, homonyms are those words
that sound the same when pronounced, but have very different meanings.
In addition to their potential for muddle meanings, homonyms can be
confusing to readers striving to understand language rules.
One
of the reasons homonyms get in the way is because they are hard to distill into
easy-to-follow rules for writers to abide by. Each use of homonyms
requires active reflection, so they can be tricky to integrate without due
consideration. And it isn't always the longest, most complex words that cause
trouble. These ten homonyms commonly confuse and frustrate
writers:
Ad/Add
- It is hard to image confusion surrounding a two-letter word, but ad presents
problems for some writers failing to recognize its very specific meaning.
Ad is short for advertisement, which is its only English meaning.
Add; on the other hand, refers to the action of performing
addition. One way for writers to master this relatively easy
homonym is to use advertisement in its full form, until usage becomes more
routine.
Affect/Effect
- Perhaps the most daunting of all homonyms, this pair of words confounds
advanced writers, as well as novices. Effect is the strongest of the pair, which
should be used when the meaning is 'to cause'. It is also appropriate when
expressing 'the result of'. Affect, on the other hand, is best
used when the intended meaning involves 'influence', rather than 'cause'.
Effect is used following certain words too, like 'an', 'the', 'into', and
so forth.
Accept/Except
- Accept means to receive or approve of, making it the more commonly used of the
two words. Except, on the other hand, is often used like 'but', to
acknowledge an exception.
Their/They're/There
- This trio of similar words is particularly vexing for those learning English,
as the meanings intersect commonly in everyday use. The
contraction, 'they are' is an easy one, because they're means only that.
'Their' is a possessive pronoun, and 'There' is used appropriately when
it designates a location.
Peace/Piece
- Context helps writers master spelling and usage, so pairs like 'piece' and
'peace' are relatively easy to distinguish from one another. Piece is a portion,
while 'peace is a feeling or state of being.
Pallet/Palette/Palate
- Infrequently used homonyms can be the most difficult to master, because
repetition helps language rules sink in. Palette, a range of
colors, for example, is seldom used outside certain niches, so it can be
confusing when it pop-up. Likewise with 'pallet', which generally
refers to a shipping platform. Even the most commonly used of the
three; palate, has a dual meaning. It refers to the roof of your
mouth as well as your ability to recognize a variety of flavors.
Merry/Marry
- Christmas salutations have helped distinguish these homonym meanings, but they
are both tied to celebrations, so correct usage can be challenging.
Marry is what brides and grooms do at weddings, while 'merry' means
cheerful or happy.
Mettle/Metal
- Sometimes their definitions make homonyms even more confusing. 'Metal' refers
to elements, while 'mettle' identifies a trait that is bold or
determined. Because both definitions conjure images of lasting
durability, their meanings intertwine.
Hangar/Hanger
- Most of us have 'hangers' in our closets, but few of us have a need for an
airplane 'hangar'.
Discrete/Discreet
- Commonly, writers intending to express 'cautious' or 'wary', write 'discreet',
which actually means distinct or individual. Whether they are
misspelling the word, or have a muddled understanding of its meaning, 'discrete'
is the proper usage when conveying a sense of confidentiality.
Managing
homonyms comes naturally for some writers, while others struggle to use words
correctly. Practice and consistency are the keys to success, which
is in-reach for writers committed to the details.
Author
Bio:
This
is a guest post by Sarah Brooks from Freepeoplesearch.org. She
is a Houston based freelance writer and blogger. Questions and comments can be
sent to brooks.sarah23 @ gmail.com
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson edits, consults. and speaks on issues of publishing. Find her The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success (How To Do It Frugally series of book for writers)
. Learn more about her other authors' aids at www.howtodoitfrugally.com/writers_books.htm , where writers will find lists and other helps including Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips 
on the Resources for Writers page. She blogs on all things publishing (not just editing!) at her Sharing with Writers blog. She tweets writers' resources at www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo . Please tweet this post to your followers. We all need a little help with editing. (-:
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