Information about English Words

This Word Info blog will focus on the various aspects of English vocabulary including historical significance (etymologies) and current usage as found in a variety of medical, etymological, scientific, abridged, and unabridged dictionaries. There will also be discussions about the misuses and blunders of English as seen in the media.

About Me

Name:

Since retiring from teaching, I have been devoting my efforts to organizing and to presenting information about words; especially, English vocabulary from Latin and Greek sources.

Tuesday, July 20, 2004

The Challenge of Confusing English Words

There are many sound-alike words; such as, homophones and they can often "reek" or "wreck" [or wreak] havoc if you are not careful. So, what do you think is the preferred spelling in each of the following sentences?

  1. anchors away/aweigh
  2. to wait with baited/bated breath
  3. to grin and bare/bear it
  4. sound bite/byte
  5. bloc/block voting
  6. a ceded/seeded player
  7. champing/chomping at the bit
  8. a full complement/compliment of
  9. to strike a responsive chord/cord
10. just deserts/desserts

See the start of a significant presention of confusing words by going to Word Files so you can learn more about sound-alikes.

posted by Scriber | 11:24 PM