We all know that spellings can be a difficult landscape to navigate, and one of the most difficult areas is the spelling and meaning of words that sound the same, but have different meanings or spellings:
HOMOPHONES
It can be an absolute nightmare and without using a spellcheck, where would we be?
BUT…it’s not that easy! A spellcheck doesn’t always pick up that you’ve used the wrong homophone. This is because you might’ve used a correct spelling, but it’s been used in the wrong context.
Homophones are tricky and often trip us up!
And yet, using the wrong word can be extremely embarrassing for any professional who is trying to get a message across to potential customers or clients.
Here’s an example of a promotional advert… can you spot all of the homophone mistakes?
It’s not easy, is it? The advert causes confusion because there’s a lack of meaning and clarity.
But more importantly, would YOU use their services when you can see such glaring mistakes?!
You see, a company can be the most inspirational and skilled in their own field, but if they write adverts that have the wrong homophone, potential customers or clients won’t see the company as professional enough to take a risk with, or buy something from.
Getting it right reflects on a company's credibility.
So, if you’re confused by homophones, here’s a list of some of the most common ones to be aware of:
· To, two, too
· There, their, they're
· Your/you're
· By/buy/bye
· It’s/its
· Brake/break
· Coarse/course
· Witch/which
· Hear/here
· Whether/weather
· Won/one
· Bare/bear
· Allowed/aloud
This may help, but it’s also knowing the difference in their meanings that's really important.
So, here’s a few explanations to get you started!
Complement or Compliment?
Is it E or I?
Complement: something that contributes extra features to something to improve its quality.
Red wine complements roast beef.
Complement: a quantity of something.
There is a full complement of players in each team.
Compliment: when someone or something is praised, congratulated, or admired.
The man was paid a lovely compliment.
Licence or License?
Is it C or S?
Licence: an official document that gives you permission to do, use or own something.
I passed my driving licence.
License: to give official permission to have something or do something.
The company is licensed to work with students.
License: the American spelling for the British meaning of LICENCE.
Stationary or Stationery?
Is it A or E?
Stationary: not moving, staying in one position.
The bike was stationary.
Stationery: writing equipment.
I had a lot of stationery in my pencil case.
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