So many words sound alike.  Sometimes they are homonyms – those are words which sound exactly alike but are spelled differently, and naturally have different meanings.  There are numerous words which are very close in both pronunciation and spelling, but there are often one or two letters that differentiate them.

Usually, when we are speaking, it doesn’t matter much.  The problem comes when we put it in writing. 

Here are some frequently misspelled words (and sometimes mispronounced ones) due to one small change, often just one letter:

Their, There & They’re:  One of the triumvirates of misspelled words.  The first one is a possessive pronoun, the second is a classified adverb (but can be an interjection or pronoun) and the third is a contraction (for they are ).  Their reason for visiting Gettysburg in the winter is because they’re avoiding the crowds.  I’m going there in the summer instead.   When writing, we just need to remember the context of what we wish to convey.

To, Two & Too:  The other big three of the misspelled.  The first is a preposition ( We are going to Gettysburg.)  The second is a number ( Two of us are going.)   The third is an adverb that can mean excess ( That’s too soon to decide) , or it is a synonym for also ( I want to go to Gettysburg too ).   When writing, we just need to follow the same rule as the one mentioned in the above paragraph.

Its & It’s:  The first is a possessive pronoun ( The trip to Gettysburg was amazing; there are no words to describe its historic importance).  The second is a contraction for “it is”: (It’s going to be a long time before we forget our trip).   Unless “it” is doing something, don’t add the apostrophe.

Whose & Who’s:  These two words are just like the two above homonyms, we insert “who” instead of “it”.  The first is a possessive pronoun ( Whose book is it?)   The second is a contraction of Who is (Who’s coming with me?)   

Weather & Whether:  These two words are actually very different.  The first is a noun, indicating the daily goings-on outside that relate to our climate: ( We’ve had significantly rainy weather lately ).  The second is a conjunction, a word that joins two ideas or things, and offers an alternative (We need to decide whether or not we are going to Gettysburg this weekend).   They are quite different, but many often spell the word one way, when they mean the other way.  There is, incidentally, another noun, wether, which is a ram or goat that is not able to reproduce, like a gelding (for a horse) or a steer (instead of a bull).  We rarely use that word in its correct context, unless we are herding sheep or goats.  We can still misspell it when we actually mean weather, or whether.

Desert & Dessert:  Both of these words are most commonly classified as nouns, and usually we pronounce them correctly when we speak.  A desert is an arid place, like the Sahara.  Dessert is a sweet treat that we like to consume after dinner (or just about any time of day).  When speaking of the desert, the accent is on the first syllable.  The accentuation is on the second syllable for dessert.

There is also a verb form that is spelled desert – another word for abandon.  The regiment refused to desert the rest of the brigade, in spite of the fact that they were hopelessly surrounded.   In this case, the accent is the same as dessert.  It is also the reason why these two words are often confused when spelling them, so a good way to remember is if it isn’t something you can eat, spell the word with just one “s.”

Lose & Loose:  These two words are also pronounced differently, but we find them often misspelled, thinking of one word and spelling the other instead.  The first is a verb that means the opposite of find: I don’t want to lose my keys again.   The second is usually an adjective or adverb, a synonym of untighten or set free : ( His necktie is always loose, and who can blame him?)   The key in spelling either word correctly is paying attention to its pronunciation.  The “s” in lose is pronounced like a “z”.  The “s” in loose is pronounced like the “s”.  (Also, loss and lost are frequently mistaken for each other – we are sorry for a loss, not a lost.)

Set & Sit:  Both of these small words are verbs (although set can also be a noun, such as a set of dishes, furniture, or cards); the difference is in the context.  The problem comes when using set as a verb.  In its verbal form, to set is synonymous with to place.  We set the vase on the table.   It is also a verb (or adjective) for hardening or solidifying: The cement is finally set; you can walk on it now.  The verb sit is what we do every day instead of standing or lying down: “Sit down wherever you’d like, there are plenty of chairs.”   We don’t “sit” the dishes in the sink, and we don’t “set” down. 

Your & You’re:  Similar to its vs. it’s and whose vs. who’s, your and you’re are often mistaken for each other in writing.  The first is a possessive pronoun ( your book, your trip, your opinion), and the second is a contraction for you are : ( you’re always right).  If it belongs to you, it doesn’t need an apostrophe and the “e”, if you’re doing it, add that apostrophe and the “e”.

Awhile & A While:  These two words are so easily mistaken for each other, largely because they almost mean the same thing – there is a difference, though.  The first is an adverb that signifies a certain amount of time, and usually follows immediately after a verb:  Let’s wait awhile before we decide.  The second is actually two words, and the while in this particular case is a noun – a chunk of time.  It usually follows a preposition, and is part of a prepositional phrase:  Let’s wait for a while until we decide.  How we spell it depends on what precedes it.

Than & Then: These two are actually pronounced differently, but are still often accidentally switched for each other.  The first is a comparative conjunction, there is a choice involved:  I would rather stay inside than play in the snow.  She has visited more countries than we have.    The second is an adverb that denotes a sequence of events or things:  I will go outside and play in the snow, then I will come inside.  They are not similar, at all, in meaning.  We just have to think of the context before we write to discern if we are comparing or sequencing.

All together & Altogether, All ways and Always, All right & Alright:  When the normal two-word phrases are used, it usually is meant to enhance a group of people or things, with emphasis on the noun all being the main point: “Finally we are all together.”  “We need to discover all ways to eradicate this problem.”  When the “L” is dropped and the words are combined into one, it is to form an adverb: “We aren’t altogether certain that this is the way to go.”  “ We are always choosing your way instead of my way.”  As for all right and alright, these are the same word.  One is spelled correctly and the other one is not.  All right – two separate words – make up the correct spelling.  The incorrectly spelled “alright ” is never used as an adverb to describe a situation.  The correct way to spell this phrase, always, is all right.  All right?

There are many more examples of little changes that can result in big mistakes.  A little bit of vigilance goes a long way.

Pass the word!