# Chapter 5: Processes and Guidelines in Technical Writing

## 5.9: Common Spelling Problems

By: David McMurrey and Tiffani Tijerina

### Objectives

Upon completion of this chapter, readers will be able to:

1. Identify and correctly spell commonly misspelled words.
2. Define and distinguish between similar-sounding words.

### Who Made Up This Language?

For some writers, their main spelling problem is similar-sounding words, for example, principle and principal or affect and effect. These problems cannot be flagged by software spell-checking functions.

Here is a list of these commonly confused homophones (different spelling; same or very similar pronunciation), with examples of their correct use.

All definitions in this section are from the Merriam Webster dictionary via the Merriam Webster Dictionary mobile application.

#### accept, except

The construction form accepted the offer to build the bridge.

Everything has been finished except for the paint job.

> Merriam-Webster Definitions
> Accept - (verb)to receive or take (something offered): to take (something) as payment: to be able or designed to take or hold (something)
> Except - (preposition) not including (someone or something): other than (something or someone)

#### advice, advise

The construction firm ignored the engineer's advice.

The engineer advised the firm to use single-suspension walkways.

> Merriam-Webster Definitions
> Advice - (noun) an opinion or suggestion about what someone should do
> Advise - (verb) to give an opinion or suggestion to someone about what should be done: to give advice to (someone): to recommend or suggest (something): to give information to (someone)

#### affect, effect

The effect of the increased oil prices has been devastating on our economy.

The increased oil prices have affected our economy drastically.

> Merriam-Webster Definitions
> Affect - (verb) have an effect on; make a difference to
> Effect - (noun) a change that results when something is done or happens: an event, condition, or state of affairs that is produced by a cause: a particular feeling or mood created by something: an image or a sound that is created in television, radio, or movies to imitate something real

#### cite, site, sight

The consulting engineer cited a paragraph from the building code.

At the construction site, the workers carefully erected the scaffolding.

The collapse of the walkways was a terrible sight.

> Merriam-Webster Definitions
> Cite - (verb) to write or say the words of (a book, author, etc.): to mention (something) especially as an example or to support an idea or opinion: law: to order (someone) to appear before a court of law
> Site - (noun) the place where something (such as a building) is, was, or will be located: a place where something important has happened: a place that is used for a particular activity
> Sight - (noun) the sense through which a person or animal becomes aware of light, color, etc. by using the eyes: the ability to see: the act of seeing someone or something: a position in which someone or something can be seen

#### complement, compliment

The programmer has received many compliments on her new system.

The colors that have been selected for the room do not complement each other.

> Merriam-Webster Definitions
> Complement - (noun) something that completes something else or makes it better: the usual number or quantity of something that is needed or used: grammar: a word or group of words added to a sentence to make it complete
> Compliment - (noun) a remark that says something good about someone or something: an action that expressed admiration or approval

#### counsel, council, consul

She was appointed consul to the embassy in Beirut.

There was lengthy debate on the tax proposal at city council last night.

He counselled her to get a degree in technical communication.

> Merriam-Webster Definitions
> Counsel - (verb) to give advice to (someone): to suggest or recommend (something)
> Council - (noun) a group of people who are chosen to make rules, laws, or decisions about something: a group of people who provide advice or guidance on something
> Consul - (noun) a government official whose job is to live in a foreign country and protect and help the citizens of his or her own country who are traveling, living, or doing business there: either one of two chief officials of the ancient Roman republic who were elected every year

#### its, it's

It's time to go home; it's getting late.

The car has lost one of its headlights.

> Merriam-Webster Definitions
> Its - (adjective) relating to or belonging to a certain thing, animal, etc.: made or done by a certain thing, animal, etc.
> It's - (contraction) it is: it has

#### lose, loose

Your car loses power when it is out of tune.

I have some loose change in my pocket.

Don't let Mamie get loose!

> Merriam-Webster Definitions
> Lose - (verb) to be unable to find (something or someone): to fail to win (a game, contest, etc.): to fail to keep or hold (something wanted or valued)
> Loose - (adjective) not tightly fastened, attached, or held: not pulled or stretched tight: of clothing: not fitting close to your body: not tight

#### personal, personnel

They plan to take out a personal loan to build the deck.

Send your application to the personnel office.

The CEO wants to have a personal chat with all this company's personnel.

> Merriam-Webster Definitions
> Personal - (adjective) belonging or relating to a particular person: made or designed to be used by one person --used to describe someone whose job involved working for or helping a particular person
> Personnel - (noun) the people who work for a particular company or organization: a department within a company or organization that deals with the people who work for it

#### principal, principle

The principal component of the solar panel is the collector.

Explain to me the principle of convection.

> Merriam-Webster Definitions
> Principal - (adjective) most important
> Principle - (noun) a moral rule or belief that helps you know what is right and wrong and that influences your actions: a basic truth or theory: an idea that forms the basis of something: a law or fact of nature that explains how something works or why something happens

#### stationary, stationery

Use company stationery for company business purposes only.

The derrick may not remain stationary during the gale-force winds.

> Merriam-Webster Definitions
> Stationary - (adjective) not moving: staying in one place or position: not changing
> Stationery - (noun) materials (such as paper, pens, and ink) that are used for writing or typing: paper that is used for writing letters and that usually has matching envelopes

#### than, then

My utility bill was higher this month than it was last month.

The hurricane reached the Texas coast; then it plunged right into the heart of Houston.

> Merriam-Webster Definitions
> Than - (conjunction) rather than: other than: when
> Then - (adverb) at that time: at the time mentioned --used to indicate what happened or happens next --used to indicate what should be done next

#### their, there, they're

Their calculus course is much harder than ours.

Over there on the table is your calculus book.

They're not taking calculus this semester.

> Merriam-Webster Definitions
> Their - (adjective) relating to or belonging to certain people, animals, or things: made or done by certain people animals, or things: his or her: his: her: its
> There - (adverb) in that place: at that location: to or into that place: at that point ina process, activity, story, etc.
> They're - (contraction) they are

#### to, too, two

Are they going to pave the street today?

It is still too rainy to pave the street.

Two hours ago, the sky was clear.

> Merriam-Webster Definitions
> To - (preposition) --used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward --used to indicate the place where someone participates in a particular activity --used to indicate the direction of something
> Too - (adverb) in addition: more than what is wanted, needed, acceptable, possible, etc.: to a high degree or extent: very or extremely
> Two - (adjective) being more than one in number: being the second

#### whose, who's

Whose technical writing book is this?

There is the woman whose technical report won top honors.

Do you know who's in charge around here?

He's a man who's not afraid of criticism.

> Merriam-Webster Definitions
> Whose - (adjective) --used in questions to ask who owns something, has something, etc. --used to show which person or thing you are talking about --used to give more information about a person or thing that has already been mentioned
> Who's - (contraction) who is

#### your, you're

Your technical writing book is on the table.

You're going to have review to Part 1 before writing that report.

> Merriam-Webster Definitions
> Your - (adjective) relating to or belonging to you: made or done by you --used to refer to any person or to people in general --used in the titles or royalty, judges, etc.
> You're - (contraction) you are