Dozens of homonyms, words that sound like other words but are spelled differently, are sometimes confused for their near doppelgängers. This post lists and defines twenty-five frequently confused word pairs, in which the first word is usually used mistakenly in place of the second one. (Definitions for words are simplified and not comprehensive.)
1.
add: increase
ad: abbreviation for advertisement
2.
aid: help
aide: one who helps
3.
block: area bounded by streets, or an obstacle or a solid object
bloc: group with ideas or ideology in common
4.
cannon: piece of artillery
canon: collection of works, or regulation, or standards or rules or a collection of them
5.
canvas: durable, heavy protective material
canvass: debate, examine, or go out in search of responses
6.
chomp: bite down
champ: bite down (same meaning, but idiom is “champ at the bit”)
7.
compliment: praise
complement: complete or enhance
8.
conscious: aware
conscience: adherence to or regard for fairness or moral strength
9.
council: deliberative or legislative body
counsel: legal adviser
10.
discrete: separate
discreet: modest, prudent, unobtrusive
11.
fair: event for entertainment, exhibition, and trade
fare: specific type of food
12.
phase: carry out or introduce a stage, or adjust for synchronicity
faze: disturb
13.
flare: signal fire or light, or a reflecting or bright, unsteady light or a sudden outburst, an outward spreading or something that spreads
flair: style, or talent or tendency
14.
forward: ahead of
foreword: brief introductory section of a book
15.
hardy: audacious, brave, durable
hearty: healthy, vigorous, enthusiastic, or unrestrained, or full of appetite
16.
isle: truncated form of island
aisle: passage between groups of seats
17.
ordinance: law or rule
ordnance: ammunition and explosives
18.
premier: best, or a political leader
premiere: first performance or showing of a form of entertainment
19.
principal: leader of a school, or a leading person in an organization
principle: code, idea, or law
20.
roll: list or other document, or material held as or in a roll
role: function, or character or part played
21.
tact: diplomacy or discretion
tack: approach or course
22.
team: group organized to achieve a goal or to compete
teem: be filled to overflowing or present in large quantities
23.
tenant: renter
tenet: something generally held to be true
24.
troop: unit of military personnel
troupe: group of performers
25.
wreck: destroy
wreak: cause, inflict
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Original post: 25 Confused Homonym Pairs
from Daily Writing Tips
https://www.dailywritingtips.com/25-confused-homonym-pairs/
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