Homo-what?? Homophones are those tricky words you always get mixed up because they sound alike, but are spelled completely differently. Yeah, those – they matter.
Homophone Shaming
One of the several types of easily confused words with which the English language is so generously endowed is the homophone – homo, meaning same, and phone, meaning sound. They’re different words, yet they sound the same. Make sense?
Probably the most famous example of homophones is the infamously confused there, their, or they’re.
But does this really matter all that much?
Well, if you want to come across as a credible and intelligent person who knows what you’re talking about, then yes! It matters a lot! On the other hand, if you want to come across as someone who doesn’t pay attention to detail, doesn’t care about accuracy, doesn’t know much about the language you’ve spoken since you were born, and generally just doesn’t care – then no. No, for you, it doesn’t matter, and you should probably stop reading this immediately, because you have more important things to do with your life – things like figuring out how you’re going to pay the bills.
Since language is the currency of business and information exchange, it pays to use it well. Your clients will respect you more, your credibility will be enhanced, and you won’t need to continuously clarify your emails or wonder if people are secretly mocking you behind your back for using the wrong homophone.
10 of the Most Commonly Confused Homophones
Since no one wants to be labeled a homophone dunce (they call people that, right?), here are 10 of the most commonly confused words you need to be aware of. Remember them next time you are typing an email or writing some copy, and you’ll be happy you did!
1. Affect/Effect
Affect means to impact or have an influence on something or someone, whereas effect is a result or consequence. In other words, you can affect someone in such a way that there will be an effect.
2. Allusion/Elusion/Illusion
To allude to something means to make a reference or allusion to something. Elusion might be when you elude capture for your crimes against the English language. An illusion is the false notion that no one noticed.
3. Born/Borne
This one isn’t as simple. They’re both past participles, but born can refer to having a baby, whereas borne refers to carrying a person or thing or even to yielding a product. Tricky, eh?
4. Buy/By/Bye
Buy refers to purchasing, by means near or through something, and bye is a farewell. Buh-bye now!
5. Cash/Cache
When you’re referring to a stash or pile of goods like food, files, or whatever, the word is cache. But use cash when you’re talking about money. Simple enough.
6. Cord/Chord
When you want to plug up the Christmas lights, break out the extension cord. But when you want to sing carols, play a chord on the piano. Does that strike a chord with you?
7. Complement/Compliment
When you wear an outfit from colors that go well together, the colors are said to complement one another. When you wear colors that clash, well, don’t expect any compliments.
8. Lean/Lien
To lean means to incline towards or onto something – or it can mean the opposite of fat. But lien means a legal hold on something to satisfy a debt or duty.
9. Marshal/Martial
A marshal (noun) is an official or leader in charge of something. Martial is an adjective that refers to war or the military. So yes, it is possible for someone to be a martial marshal.
10. Principal/Principle
This one might be a bit complicated. As an adjective, principal can indicate that something is primary or of central significance. But as a noun, a principal might be someone in charge of a school or a sum of money loaned. On the other hand, a principle is a fundamental law, rule, or code.
This is only a small sampling of the many ways in which we love to trip ourselves up with the English language. But taking the time to master these 10 mix-ups will help you express yourself better and also to be perceived as an intelligent and credible professional or business.
Did I miss any? Which of your favorites would you like to see added to the list? Tell me in the comments!
