Words That Sound Alike but Don't Mean the Same

A lesson learned from correct spelling: REIGN: to possess or exercise sovereign power or authority, to rule. REIN: the controlling or directing power: the straps used to guide a horse. I see these used incorrectly all the time. Maybe this will help: Because God REIGNS we can freely and gladly give Him the REINS to our lives.

I posted the above as a status on Facebook this morning—and I have received a lot of response.Reign and rein—and rain—are “homonyms” or “homophones”:  a word pronounced the same as another but differing in meaning, whether spelled the same way or not, as heir and air;

Facebook has revealed to me that there are many of these which confuse people. So as a public service I have compiled a list of some of the most commonly misused words. Enjoy.

Site—location/website   

Sight--vision   

Cite—refer to 

Your—belonging to you   

You’re—contraction of you are

Their—belonging to them   

There—a place   

They’re—contraction of they are 

Lead—heavy metal   

Led—guided/past tense of lead 

Affect--to change   

Effect—result 

Allowed—permitted   

Aloud—spoken audibly 

Capital—most important/financing/seat of government (city)   

Capitol—government building 

Complement—to complete   

Compliment—to praise 

Council—group of leaders   

Counsel—adviser/advice 

Principal—chief/main/head of school   

Principle—fundamental law or truth 

Yoke—oxen harness   

Yolk—yellow part of an egg 

Air—Earth’s atmosphere   

Heir--person who inherits 

Aisle—walkway   

I’ll--contraction of I will  

Isle--island 

Brake--stop, push the stop pedal  

Break—smash, pause 

Holey--full of holes  

Holy--divine, pure 

Wholly—entirely 

Peak--highest point, mountain  

Peek—glance, quick look 

These are just a few of many.  

What others can you think of? What about you?  Which do you misuse?  Is there a spiritual lesson to be learned?