Word Confusion

Who's ready for some word fun?

Today I'm having fun with Homonyms!

You know those words that sound the same but have very different meanings?

Yes...I'm talking about word confusion. We all know and nitpick the most obvious ones, like they're, their, and there, but never fear...this is the English language and there are plenty more confusing words where those came from!

Remember being in elementary school and making lists of these fun word pairs? Sail/sale, plane/plain, main/mane, etc.

Well, as I'm typing along in my manuscripts every day...these pesky words have a way of showing up! 

Here are a few examples:

Are you fazed (to be disconcerted) when you hit the editing phase (a distinct stage) of preparing your manuscript?

I often daydream as I walk down the aisle (walkway) of the grocery store wishing I was on a desert isle (island.)

Her voice was hoarse (rough voice) from calling the horse (equine.)

He carried the load (cargo) of dynamite to the entrance of the mine in hopes he'd find the mother lode (mineral vein).

Her mother-in-law should get a medal (award) for her ability to meddle (to interfere.)

And there are so many more, I could go on and on...

But, I won't.

Instead I'm going to point you in the direction of Alan Cooper's Homonym List, so your head can spin like mine did when I found it...who knew there so many ways to trip us up?

I'll confess that effect and affect are usually the ones that get me, I always have to stop and think about which one I really want to use.

And now, I think I will take care of my poor head and go pour myself a drink!

Confession time!

What homonyms do you catch yourself confusing?