“Breathe” vs. “Breath”: Which is the Correct Word?
October 9, 2023
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Breath is a noun that refers to the actual air taken in and out while we breathe (verb form of the noun breath).
homophones
Homophones are words that sound the same but mean different things, or are spelled differently, like “bare” and “bear“. More commonly confused examples are pairs like effect and affect; weather and whether, or they’re, their and there. Homophones are kinds of homonyms, which are words that can be spelled the same or differently, and sound the same or differently, but have different meanings.
Homonyms consist of homophones (words that sound the same and have different meanings, but may or may not be spelled the same), and homographs (words that are spelled the same but have different meanings and may not sound the same). An example would be “spelt” the past tense or participle of the verb spell, and “spelt” as a noun, which is a hulled and ancient grain.
Aid vs. Aide: Which Word Is It?
October 9, 2023
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Aide is a noun and means assistant. Aid can be a noun or a verb, and means ‘to offer help’, or refers to the help given.
Is it ‘Bear With Me’ or ‘Bare’ with Me’, Explained
October 5, 2023
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Also known as the difference between asking someone to be naked with you, or politely asking them to be patient with you while you figure something out.
Dessert vs. Desert: What’s the Difference?
October 4, 2023
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Dessert with two s’s is the sweet stuff we eat after dinner. Desert with a single s refers to the sandy, arid regions, as in the Sahara desert.
When to Use Past vs. Passed?
October 2, 2023
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Honestly, just read the article. It’s one of the better one’s.
Which is it: ‘Already’ or ‘All Ready’?
October 1, 2023
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All ready (two words) means “totally prepared” or … ready. Already (one word) is an adverb that highlights something as having happened before now or by now.
What’s the Difference Between “Aisle” or “Isle”?
September 26, 2023
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An aisle is a passage between rows of seats or shelves (think grocery store). Isle refers to an island, typically a small one.
The Difference Between “Awhile” and “A While”
September 12, 2023
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Awhile (one word) is an adverb that means “for a period of time”. A while is a noun phrase that means an unspecified period of time.
When and How to Use “A Part” and “Apart”?
September 12, 2023
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Apart is an adverb that indicates separation. A part uses the article “a” with the noun “part”, and means a piece of something larger.
Capital vs. Capitol (What’s the Difference?)
September 9, 2023
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Capital is the correct word for capital city. Capitol refers to a building or buildings occupied by the state legislature; e.g., the Capitol building in Washington D.C.