Self-Editing: Words That Are Almost Right, But Not Quite

 

I've been doing a lot of self-editing, critiquing and contest judging. One thing that seems to trip up many writers is words that are almost right, but not quite. Some are homophones, words that sound the same, but have different spellings and/or meanings. Others are words often confused.

I use an edit checklist while self-editing, including a confused words list. Here are some from my lengthy list:

altar – religious table
alter – to change

bridal – relating to a wedding
bridle – for a horse

council – elected officials
counsel – give advice

fair – treated equally
fair – an event
fare – sum charged
fare – food
fear – frightened

incite – provoke
insight – understanding

rain – wet weather
reign – period of rule by king or queen
rein – for a horse

team – group of people
teem – a lot of falling rain

their – belonging to them
there – that place
they're – they are

weak – not strong
week – seven days

affect - to change
effect – result of change

farther – distance
further – figuratively

than – rather
then – time

loose – not fixed in place
lose – misplace
lose – be defeated

fiancé – male
fiancée – female


What words trip you up?