adverse, averse
affect, effect
aid, aide
assure, ensure
biannual, biennial
biweekly, semiweekly
carat, caret, karat
cement, concrete
chord, cord
cite, site
complement, compliment
compose, comprise
discreet, discrete
dual, duel
ensure, insure
entitled, titled
flaunt, flout
forego, forgo
home in, hone in
its, it’s
lectern, podium
loath, loathe
mantel, mantle
peak, pique
pour, pore
premier, premiere
principal, principle
reign, rein
reluctant, reticent
Adverse means unfavorable; averse means opposed.
Affect, almost always a verb, means to influence: The president’s tax cuts will affect only the wealthiest citizens. (The noun affect has a specialized meaning in psychology: an emotional state.) Effect, usually a noun, means a result or consequence: Interest rates have an effect on the economy. (The verb effect means to bring about, make happen, or produce).
Aid means help; an aide is an assistant.
To assure is to guarantee or promise or convince (someone); to ensure is to make certain: After ensuring that the deposit was received, I assured him that the check would clear. (See ensure, insure).
Biannual means twice a year; biennial means every two years.
Biweekly means every other week; semiweekly means twice a week.
A carat is a unit of weight used with diamonds and other gems. A caret is an editing mark (^). A karat is a unit of measure for the purity of gold.
Cement is the powder used to make concrete; concrete is the hardened substance of which roads, sidewalks, and walls are made.
The musical and mathematical term is chord. A cord is a string, rope, or cable. Vocal cord and spinal cord are so spelled. A cord is also a measure of wood.
To cite means to quote or reference; a site is a place.
Complement is a noun and a verb meaning to complete or supplement something: A complement of courses. The tie complements his suit. Compliment is a noun or a verb that means praise or an expression of courtesy: She was flattered by the compliment. The drinks were complimentary (a courtesy).
Compose means to make up or constitute. Comprise means to contain or to embrace. The parts compose the whole; the whole comprises the parts: Five men and seven women composed the jury. The jury comprised five men and seven women.
Discreet means prudent; discrete means separate.
Dual means double or twofold. A duel is a fight between two people.
Use ensure to mean to guarantee: Steps were taken to ensure accuracy. Use insure for references to insurance: The policy insures his home and its contents. (See assure, ensure).
Use entitled to mean a right to do or have something: She was entitled to a raise. Use titled for the titles of academic works, novels, etc.: The article was titled “Development: From Infancy to Adolescence.”
To flaunt is to show off. To flout is to disregard out of contempt.
Forego means to go before; forgo means to abstain from.
Home in, not hone in, is the correct phrase when the meaning is to move toward a certain place by following a signal or marker. To hone is to sharpen.
Its is the possessive form of it; it’s is the contraction for it is.
A speaker stands behind a lectern or on a podium.
Loath is an adjective meaning reluctant. It is followed by to: He was loath to admit his distrust. Loathe is a verb meaning to dislike intensely: I loathe exercise.
A mantel is the long shelf above a fireplace; a mantle is a cloak or the region between the earth’s core and crust.
Peak usually refers to a crest or high point. It also can mean to grow thin or sickly or to dwindle away (someone who looks pale and weak looks peaked). Pique as a noun means resentment at being slighted, and as a verb, to irritate, excite, or arouse. The common expression is "pique one's interest." A peek, of course, is a quick or furtive glance.
Pour means to flow; pore means to intently scrutinize.
Premier means first in importance, rank, or time. Premier is also a title for a government official. Premiere, with a final e, means an opening or debut performance.
Principal is a noun and an adjective meaning first in rank, authority, importance, or degree. Principle is a noun that means a rule, truth, or law.
Reign means authority, rule, or prevalence. A rein is a leather strap for a horse. The proper phrases are rein in, free rein, tighten the reins, etc.
"Reluctant means unwilling to act; reticent means unwilling to speak." (37)
(37) The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law (2000), p. 217
