Waive or Wave? The Rare Pair Where Both Might Be Right
A referee raises both arms and signals that a disputed goal won’t count, an action sports journalists sometimes describe as ...
Read more
Confident or Confidant? They Were Once Spelled Exactly the Same
A job candidate walks into an interview feeling remarkably “confident,” ready to answer any question thrown her way. Meanwhile, later ...
Read more
Canvas or Canvass? One Letter, Two Completely Different Jobs
An artist stretches a fresh sheet of heavy cloth across a wooden frame, preparing to begin her next painting on ...
Read more
Council or Counsel? What’s the Difference?
A city government prepares for its monthly meeting, where the elected “council” will vote on a new zoning proposal. Meanwhile, ...
Read more
Adverse or Averse? Don’t Confuse These Words
A pharmaceutical warning label lists the possible “adverse” effects of a new medication. Meanwhile, in a completely different conversation, an ...
Read more
Stationary or Stationery? One Vowel Changes Everything
A gym advertises a “stationary” bike class, promising a great workout without ever leaving the room, while just across the ...
Read more
Loose or Lose? What’s the Difference?
You’re typing a message before an important meeting and write, “I don’t want to loose this opportunity.” A few moments ...
Read more
Vain or Vein? The Homophone Trio That Confuses Everyone
A doctor examines a patient’s arm, searching for a suitable “vein” to draw blood, while across town, a novelist describes ...
Read more
Alter or Altar? The One-Letter Mix-Up That Changes Everything
A wedding planner sends a client an email confirming the flower arrangements “at the altar,” while later that same day, ...
Read more
Everybodies or Everybody’s? Why One of These Isn’t Even a Word
A group chat message pops up: “Everybodies coming to the party this weekend, right?” The message gets sent, read, and ...
Read more
