#heterograph

[kathydavie]

Word Confusion: Load versus Lode

Word Confusion: Load versus Lode

Load versus lode is another heterograph (a subset of homophone), which means it’s another load of a word confusion for you to track. Load is both noun and verb meaning a big pile of something that will be conveyed somewhere; the total amount that can be contained, endured, or heaped; the actual process of putting something in something else; a lot to be accomplished; and, more. Lode is strictly a…

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[kathydavie]

Word Confusion: Knee versus Née

Word Confusion: Knee versus Née

Who’d’ve thought knee versus née could have so much in common in this heterograph (a subset of homophone). Lol, no, it’s not in definition, but more of a cultural thing with the wannabe groom on his knees proposing to the maybe-bride who, if she accepts, will change her last name to his and automatically attach née to her maiden name. Word Confusions . . . . . . started as my way of dealing with…

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[kathydavie]

Word Confusion: Knave versus Nave

Word Confusion: Knave versus Nave

Knave versus Nave is an heterograph (a subset of homophone) with a one-letter difference between these two nouns. Be thou a knave, you would be an unscrupulous man or a lowly servant, or perhaps the jack in a deck or cards. A nave, however, is primarily that part of a church that holds most of the congregation. You may want to explore “Naval versus Navel” Word Confusions . . . . . . started as…

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[kathydavie]

Word Confusion: Loch versus Lock

Word Confusion: Loch versus Lock

A pair of heterographs (a subset of homophone), Loch vs Lock may sound alike but are quite different. A loch is strictly a lake — a noun. That’s it. Now, a lock is both a noun and a verb (rarely used though it is) and is a device used to secure something or keep something out. Word Confusions . . . . . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that…

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[kathydavie]

Word Confusion: Lade versus Laid

Word Confusion: Lade versus Laid

Lade versus laid are a pair of heterographs (a subset of homophone), which makes it easier for writers to become confused. Which is not an excuse for getting it wrong, mind you. Lade is primarily a verb about loading or transporting cargo on a ship. Laid is both a past tense and past participle of the verb lay, which means something has been laid down in an intentional manner. Hmmm, well I can…

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[kathydavie]

Word Confusion: Rough versus Ruff

Word Confusion: Rough versus Ruff

I suppose a ruff could be rough, depending on the fabric used to construct it. Personally, I wouldn’t want to wear something rough around my neck. But that’s just me.

In general, rough is, well, not smooth. It’s harsh and irregular and definitely not genteel. Ruff, on the other hand, is mostly decorative and includes fish and gaming.

For the fishermen out there, the roughy is actually from ru…

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[kathydavie]

Word Confusion: Plum versus Plumb

Word Confusion: Plum versus Plumb

This pair of word confusions — plum versus plumb — are heterographs (a subset of homophone).

Plum is primarily a fruit. As an adjective it’s highly desirable while as an adverb, it’s exactly.

Exactly is where I suspect the confusion comes in as the adverb form of plumb is the same as plum. Otherwise, plumb is all about measuring or working with water pipes, as a plumber.

Word Confusions…

…sta…

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[kathydavie]

Word Confusion: We vs Wee vs Whee

Word Confusion: We vs Wee vs Whee

Whee, we almost wee-weed all the way home…we were laughing so hard in that wee car.

You’ve probably guessed that we vs wee vs whee is also an heterograph (a subset of homophone). Kind of hard to miss that one, lol.

Word Confusions…

…started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I…

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