Continuing my posts on homophones (there are two more, here and here), I present the second half of the list of some of the less common ones that are still pretty frequently misused.
Hangar/Hanger
A hangar is a large covered space where they store aircraft. A hanger is something on which you hang your clothes. You could hang your clothes on a hangar, but a hanger would probably make more sense.
Hear/Here
Hear is what you do with your ears. Here indicates location. (As a bonus, "hear, hear!" is the correct spelling of that expression.) Hear him here.
Hoard/Horde
To hoard is to accumulate stuff. A horde is a large group, usually of people. If you hoard toilet paper before the apocalypse, an angry horde will come after you.
Levee/Levy
A levee is a barrier. To levy is to impose or collect a tax. Local officials will levy a tax on your levee.
Lead/Led
Lead is the bad stuff in paint. Led means guided. He led us through the field of lead.
Loath/Loathe
Loath is unwillingness. Loathe is intensely disliking. He is loath to loathe anyone.
Lose/Loose
To lose is to be without something. When something is loose, it's wiggly. Don't lose the loose bolt!
Miner/Minor
A miner mines something. A minor is lesser or underage. Minors shouldn't be miners.
Nay/Neigh
Nay is an expression of dissent. Neigh is the sound a horse makes. Nay, I will not neigh.
Passed/Past
Passed is the completed act of passing; past is a designation of time. I passed that class in the past.
Peal/Peel
Peal has to do with sound. Peel is removing a thin later of something. She peeled the fruit to peals of laughter from her friends.
Plane/Plain
A plane is a flat surface, or a location. A plain is simple. It is a plain plane.
Principal/Principle
A principal is a person in a position of power. A principle is a rule. The principal has principles.
Reign/Rein
Reign is a period of rule. Rein is a leather strap or the act of controlling. During her reign, she reined in the parliament.
Threw/Through
A hangar is a large covered space where they store aircraft. A hanger is something on which you hang your clothes. You could hang your clothes on a hangar, but a hanger would probably make more sense.
Hear/Here
Hear is what you do with your ears. Here indicates location. (As a bonus, "hear, hear!" is the correct spelling of that expression.) Hear him here.
Hoard/Horde
To hoard is to accumulate stuff. A horde is a large group, usually of people. If you hoard toilet paper before the apocalypse, an angry horde will come after you.
Levee/Levy
A levee is a barrier. To levy is to impose or collect a tax. Local officials will levy a tax on your levee.
Lead/Led
Lead is the bad stuff in paint. Led means guided. He led us through the field of lead.
Loath/Loathe
Loath is unwillingness. Loathe is intensely disliking. He is loath to loathe anyone.
Lose/Loose
To lose is to be without something. When something is loose, it's wiggly. Don't lose the loose bolt!
Miner/Minor
A miner mines something. A minor is lesser or underage. Minors shouldn't be miners.
Nay/Neigh
Nay is an expression of dissent. Neigh is the sound a horse makes. Nay, I will not neigh.
Passed/Past
Passed is the completed act of passing; past is a designation of time. I passed that class in the past.
Peal/Peel
Peal has to do with sound. Peel is removing a thin later of something. She peeled the fruit to peals of laughter from her friends.
Plane/Plain
A plane is a flat surface, or a location. A plain is simple. It is a plain plane.
Principal/Principle
A principal is a person in a position of power. A principle is a rule. The principal has principles.
Reign/Rein
Reign is a period of rule. Rein is a leather strap or the act of controlling. During her reign, she reined in the parliament.
Threw/Through
Threw is the past tense of throw. Through is about going in one side and out the other. He threw it through the hoop.
...and I'm done! Finally! These posts were so dull and I apologize for that. I felt like they needed to be written, though, as much for my own benefit as for anyone else's. I do hope they come in handy for someone, but even if they don't, I know I have them to refer back to.
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