PSA: English is a Disaster

semirahrose:

Please be aware that it will do its best to confuse the living daylights out of probably everyone who dares to take it on. These are some words that are easy to mix up. They pop up in everything from published work to casual writing and blog posts. This list is not nearly comprehensive, but I tried to mention some of the most common offenders!

a part (of)            to be together, unified (a part of something big)
apart   (from)      to be separate from (can’t bear to be apart)

bare        v., n.    naked; uncovered; to bare something (teeth, one’s body)
bear        v., n.    to carry; to birth; to endure (bear a burden, bear children)

breath     n.     air drawn into/exhaled from the lungs (a breath, ragged breath)
breathe   v.     the act of drawing air into the lungs (to breathe)

breech   n.          a part of a cannon; a breech birth
breach    v., n.,   to create an opening; such an opening

Calvary   n.      the hill upon which Jesus was crucified
cavalry   n.      a mobile army unit, often on horseback

chick       n.       slang for a young woman; a young bird
chic         n.       a type of fashion

complement    n.     a thing that adds to another  (complementary colors)
compliment     n.     praise 
complimentary        expressing praise; free of charge

discrete   adj.    separate; distinct
discreet   adj.    hidden

effluent    n.     sewage or waste flushed into a river or ocean
affluent    adj.  having tons of money 

grisly        adj.     gruesome; horrific (a grisly murder scene)
grizzly      adj.     a type of bear; (grizzled) gray-haired

ingenuous  adj.   naive, innocent. (ant. of disingenuous: dishonest)
ingenious   adj.   highly intelligent or original (often of a decision or action) 

lightening     n.     opposite of darkening; the act of making less heavy
lightning       n.     often followed by thunder (lightning strike)

naval       adj.    of or relating to to the Navy.
navel       n.       a belly-button

palate        n.     one’s tastes or preferences; a part of the mouth
palette       n.     a tool used to hold paint; a collection of colors
pallet         n.     a mattress; a flat object used to hold items for shipping

peak           n.       the highest point (a mountain peak)
peek           v.       a quick look (take a peek)
pique          v.,n,   irritation (fit of pique); to arouse curiosity (pique interest)

peel        v., n. to remove an outer covering; an outer covering; also, peel out
peal         n.      a high pitched noise, as of bells or laughter

pouring (obj.) over  v.  to lathe liquid over something
poring over              v.   to concentrate intensely on something

prescribe   v.     to assign for another’s use
proscribe   v.     to outlaw

prostrate   adj.  to lie flat (often in reverence)
prostate    n.     a gland in the male body that produces prostatic fluid 

rogue    

n.       a dishonest or mischievous person (to go rogue)
rouge     n.       red; red powder used to color the cheeks

rein     v., n.   straps for guiding horses; to restrain (rein in, give free rein)
reign   v., n.    a time when a sovereign rules; to rule (reign supreme)

retch          v.      the sound or motion of vomiting
wretch       n.      an unfortunate person

shutter    v., n,    hinged panels on a window.; to close such panels
shudder   v.        violent and involuntary shaking

taught    v.       past tense of teach.
taut        adj.    drawn tight; rigid; tense 

tortuous   adj.   intricate or winding; convoluted; overlong
torturous  adj.   causing great pain

wary     adj.    cautious, suspicious
weary    adj.    tired; exhausted

its  – possessive, like yours, hers, his (the doll lay on its side with floppy arms outstretched, its eyes lightless and unblinking)
it’s – contraction; it is (it’s cold as balls outside)

less – used for uncountable things; less milk, less blood
fewer – used for things that can be counted; fewer friends, fewer fucks
Example: you give fewer fucks, and you get less shit about things.

Why I’m crap at spelling