Pairs/Groups Of Words Often Confused - Part 3 of 6

ELICIT, ILLICIT

Elicit means to extract or draw out; illicit means not legal.

EVERYONE, EVERY ONE

Everyone means every person in a group; every one means each person and is always followed by "of".

"Everyone needs to know how to swim."

"Every one of you should be able to swim."

FAIR, FARE

Fair means average, good-looking, pale, unbiased (what a lot of meanings for one little word!); fare is the money you pay to go somewhere by bus, train, plane, taxi, etc. It can also refer to a passenger. As a verb it means do, as in:

"I didn't fare as well in my exams this year as I'd hoped."

FAZE, PHASE

The most common error is the use of phase when the writer means faze. To faze someone is to fluster or confuse them, whereas phase is mostly used in reference to a stage in someone's life--though it can be a stage in almost anything else:

"Like most children, Danny's going through a phase of refusing to eat his vegetables."

"Nothing fazes my mother, who can produce a meal for unexpected guests at a moment's notice."

FOREWORD, FORWARD

Foreword is the preface in a book, usually written by someone who is not the author; forward means ahead, near the front.

FORTH, FOURTH

Forth means forward; fourth is after "third".

FOUL, FOWL

Foul can mean dishonourable (by foul means), disgusting (a foul smell), entangle (rubbish dumped in the river can foul fishing lines); fowl is a bird.

GORILLA, GUERRILLA

Gorilla is a large ape; guerrilla is a particular kind of soldier.

HANGED, HUNG

A criminal is always hanged; a picture is hung:

"We hung the portrait where everybody could see it."

"John Smith was hanged yesterday at dawn."

Just remember, "I'll be hanged if they're going to hang me," and you won't forget the difference again!

HERD, HEARD

Herd is a group of animals; heard is the past tense of hear.

HERE, HEAR

Here refers to a location (as in "over here"). Hear is always what your ears do. I can't see why writers should get confused here, but they must do because I have seen this more than once. (And, no, that's not a sample sentence!)

IRREGARDLESS, REGARDLESS

There is no such word as irregardless; the correct word is regardless.

HOLE, WHOLE

Hole is an opening; whole means complete.

ITS, IT'S

This is confusing because possessives normally have an apostrophe, but in this case it's is short for it is and its is possessive--always.

"Its colour is green and it's quite beautiful."

Other possessives that don't have an apostrophe are theirs, hers, yours and his--though I doubt anyone is likely to try putting one in his!

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!

---

Sick of the Traditional Publishing Path?

A book coaching client recently emailed me that she was... Read More

Why Every Freelancer Should Have A Web Site

"Do I send samples, a media kit, or just the... Read More

Writing the KAIZEN Way

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

Making The Time To Write That Novel

Finding the time to write a novel is one of... Read More

Create A Dream Diary

How many times have you forced yourself to sit in... Read More

Be Your Own Literary Agent and Get Published

So you're one of 20 million Americans who want to... Read More

Writing the PDA Way

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

Boost Your Income With Trade Journals

Why would anyone want to write for trade journals? Aren't... Read More

Writing with a Sense of Adventure

We've all been told that we need to use all... Read More

Make Your Readers Cry

You know, I really hate it when someone catches me... Read More

The Writers Identity: Exploring the Writer Within

Les Edgerton writes in his book, Finding Your Voice, that... Read More

Dont Forget That Manual!

No user manual? Surely you jest!It may seem comical, but... Read More

Revising Your Manuscript: Fourteen Questions to Ask Yourself

1) Can you summarize the story in about a sentence... Read More

How Are You Plotting?

Creative Writing Tips ?Writing is a creative process and how... Read More

Five Tips to Find More Time for Your Writing Life

When I asked new ezine subscribers, "What is your Number... Read More

How To Write A Newsletter

In order to be successful with a newsletter, specialize in... Read More

How To Identify Your Own Style Of Writing

This article is to help identify which style, technique or... Read More

Format Each eBook Chapter Before you Write It

Do you have a problem creating a focus in your... Read More

If The Viewpoint Character Is A Secondary Character, Have You Established Who He is?

Creative Writing Tips ?I have said above that if a... Read More

The Power of Punctuation

Punctuation, when used creatively, is powerful. Note, however, that when... Read More

Review In 29 Steps Plus One

I just finished to read a book. A story for... Read More

How To Write Your Way To A Fortune

We've all seen those ads that grab our attention and... Read More

Publish Your Novel on the First Try

Rejection. This scary word plagues virtually every writer this side... Read More

The Writing Life

In the 7th grade I wanted to be an architect... Read More

Letter Writing Journaling

When you read a letter from someone, we are immediately... Read More

Finish Your Book Already!

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

How to Have an Effective Reading Group

Writing leads to reading. Therefore, it's only fair to supply... Read More

How To Write Your Book Within A Week

Everyone has a book inside them, or so the saying... Read More

Writing is a Discipline

If a writer considers writing to be a task, he/she... Read More

Write a Letter, Make a Difference

Today I took the dog for a walk and realized... Read More

Keeping a Love Journal

Do you love someone very deeply? A spouse, son, daughter,... Read More

What you Dont Know About Book Publishing Can Cost You

Dream that your book can be a number one best... Read More

Writers Helping Writers - A Noble Legacy

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