Pairs/Groups Of Words Often Confused - Part 6 of 6

SALE, SAIL Sale is either offering something for purchase ("for sale") or offering it at a special price ("on sale"); sail is part of a ship or boat.

SELL, CELL Sell is to exchange for money; cell is a small room.

SCENE, SEEN Scene is the place where something happens; seen is the past participle of see.

"Yet he had seen nothing suspicious at the scene of the accident." (Of course you wouldn't write a sentence like that; the two words make for a clumsy combination. I would probably replace "scene" with "site".)

SITE, SIGHT, CITE

Site always refers to location or place: building site; archaeology site.

"We will site the house to take advantage of the panoramic views."

Sight always refers to vision, as in the cliche "a sight for

sore eyes".

"We sighted two horsemen coming over the hill."

"It was a sight I would never forget."

"She feared she might lose her sight."

Cite means to summon, or to refer to a source, as in the

following sentences:

"I was cited as a witness to the accident."

"He cited in his defence an incident in which these same people were involved."

SOME TIME, SOMETIME

This is a common confusion. Some time is a period of time and sometime means at some time not specified.

"Some time ago you promised to introduce me to your

brother."

"Sometime when you're not busy we must do this again."

STATIONARY, STATIONERY

Stationary means standing still. Stationery refers to writing paper.

STATUE, STATUTE, STATURE

Statue is a carved or moulded likeness; statute is law; stature means height or status.

STRAIGHT, STRAIT

Straight means without bends; strait is a passage of water.

TENANT, TENET

Tenant is one who rents a property; tenet is a principle or belief.

THERE, THEIR, THEY'RE

There is a location: "Put it over there."

Their is the possessive of they: "their coats"

They're is short for they are: "They're unlikely to miss seeing them."

So: "They hung their coats over there by the door where

they're unlikely to miss seeing them on their way out."

Dreadful sentence I know, but at least it demonstrates the correct usage for all three words.

TO, TOO, TWO

To is a preposition meaning towards; too means also; two is the number after one.

VICIOUS, VISCOUS

Vicious means savage, cruel; viscous means thick, gummy.

WAIST, WASTE

Waist is the part of your body around which you fasten your belt; waste is stuff that's thrown away.

WAVE, WAIVE

Wave means to flap your hand in farewell and as a noun is also a breaker on the beach; waive means to give up one's rights or claim.

WAVER, WAIVER

Waver means to be undecided; waiver means the giving up of one's rights or claim.

WEAK, WEEK

Weak is the opposite of strong; week is seven days, Sunday to Saturday.

WET, WHET

Wet as a verb means strictly to pour liquid on something, or soak something in liquid. You do not "wet" somebody's appetite for anything; you'll only land up doing the opposite of what you want! Instead, you whet it, which means

to sharpen or stimulate.

WHICH, WITCH

As a fantasy writer, I have trouble believing people get these two confused! Which is one of a group; witch is a sorcerer.

WHOSE, WHO'S

This confusion is similar to its and it's. Whose is possessive, and who's is short for "who is".

YOUR, YOU'RE

As in the previous entry, this confusion is similar to its and it's. Your is possessive and you're is short for "you are".

This is the end of the present list, which is growing all the time. Updates will appear on the complete list on my Web site.

About The Author

Laraine Anne Barker writes fantasy for young people. Visit her web site at http://lbarker.orcon.net.nz. Fantasy for Children & Young Adults for FREE stories and novel excerpts. Sign up for the NOVELLA OF THE MONTH CLUB, absolutely FREE!

---

Effective Collaboration - Working With Your Ghostwriter

Using a ghostwriter to craft your free reprint articles and... Read More

Writing the PDA Way

When we think of writing it triggers many thoughts and... Read More

What Does It Take To Make Your Memories Into Publishable Memoirs?

Why should you consider creating a memoir of your personal... Read More

10 Tips on Writing Effective Dialogue

1. Become an EavesdropperListen carefully to the way people REALLY... Read More

The Heart of the Delay: Harnessing The Wisdom of Procrastination (AKA Writers Block)

I am sure that at in some era, at some... Read More

10 Best Writers Who Ever Lived

Compiling a list of the history's ten best writers is... Read More

Creative Writing Tips - Have You Established Your Main Character At The Start?

In the beginning of your story you have to grab... Read More

Learning How To Write

As a student of Spanish, my goal was to think... Read More

A Few Keys to Writing Effective Dialogue

Every writer expends a great deal of creative energy developing... Read More

Another Way to Show Your Expertise: Write a Book!

Maybe you should write a book! This is not as... Read More

8 Tell-Tale Signs That Forecast Writing Success!

'Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented... Read More

Screenwriting, Screenplays, Screenwriters - Writing a Screenplay Using Structure

Effective screenwriting relies on the good understanding and use of... Read More

The Importance of Writing Clearly for Business

Creating written documents reveals so much about you and your... Read More

Web Writing: Create Writing Flow With Four Uncommon Connectors

Connectors -- conjunctions, punctuation, and transitional phrases -- allow readers... Read More

Put a Spin on Your Idea!

Eight or nine times out of ten, picking up and... Read More

Should You Hire a Ghostwriter?

Have you heard the term 'ghostwriter' and wondered what they... Read More

Looking For Good Copywriter Books?

If you are looking for copywriter books, you'll want to... Read More

Writing the KAIZEN Way

Over the past eight years or so, I have tutored... Read More

Sense of Place

What is Sense of Place? It's the image of a... Read More

Writers Helping Writers - A Noble Legacy

It is satisfying to be a part of such a... Read More

Journaling

How many of you take the time to really write... Read More

Finish Your Book Already!

I owe the completion and success of my book to... Read More

Slow Pokes: Short Story On The Changing World Of Writing

"No one will ever know who I am, I'm a... Read More

Resignation Letters: Dont Let Yours Backfire On You...

It turns out that "tips and templates on how to... Read More

Get Your Writing Reviewed by Major Publications for Free

All Writers need the press, especially new writers. As a... Read More

Why I Write

I started writing as a way of keeping safe memories... Read More

Beginners Blues: How to Collect Samples, Testimonials, and References as a Freelancer

Beginner's Blues: How to Collect Samples, Testimonials, and References as... Read More

Tell the World About You

You have a new website, or a new business, or... Read More

Mexican Living: Lets Be Perfectly Clear

Readers often send me interesting and exciting e-mails about the... Read More

Getting Looked Over, Without Getting Overlooked: Writing for Scanners and Skimmers

* Scanning and Skimming Practices *Whether you're writing e-mail messages... Read More

How To Write to a Word Count

You've finished your story, and you're pretty happy with it.... Read More

Writing Personal Statements - Top Tips

WRITING THE PERSONAL STATEMENT TO GET INTO UK UNIVERSITYHOW DO... Read More

Top Ten Tips (Part 1)

The following rules are essential if you want people to... Read More