Page 6 - NTC's Dictionary of Easily Confused Words_0844257877.djvu

Introduction

English is generously endowed with several types of easily confused words. Some of these
words are homophones (homo 'same,' phone 'sound')-words that are pronounced alike but
are different in spelling, meaning, or both. Examples of common homophones include sail
and sale; their, there, and they're; and knight and night. Other easily confused words are
troublesome because of the gram- matical rules that govern their use. Unless one knows the
rules that dictate which word should be used in a particular context, it is easy to misuse such
pairs as can and may; among and between; and shall and will. Finally, some words are
easily confused simply because they are easy to mix up. Such word pairs as infer and imply;
disinterested and uninterested; and {founder and founder are often used incorrectly because
they are similar in meaning and form yet have subtle differences in definition.
This book is an easy-to-use reference guide that will help the user understand
confusing words and their usage and to then choose the correct spelling or meaning of a
word for any given situation. The dictionary consists of word groups arranged
alphabetically by the first word of each set. All sets of words are alphabetized inter- nally
as well. For example, aisle-I'll-isle is the full entry preceding all-awl. Cross-referencing
permits the user to locate every word quickly and easily. Each word is followed by a
pronunciation key in brackets, a concise definition, and a sentence example demonstrating
how the word is used in everyday English. Hence, this dictionary enables the reader not
only to find sets of easily confused words, but also to discover how the words are
pronounced, what they mean, and how to use them in the written or spoken language.
This dictionary is designed to help speakers and writers master the confusing words in
the English language. It will also pique (or is it peak?) interest in learning more about these
pesky problem words.