We’ll weather the weather, whatever the weather, whether we like it or not! This nursery rhyme demonstrates some of the different ways that weather and whether can be used. But what do these words really mean? In this article, we’ll define the difference between weather and whether and provide tips to help you always remember which one is which. Weather and whether are homophones—their pronunciation …
The words gauge and gage are pronounced the same and differ by only one letter. So what’s the difference? In this article, we’ll define the words gauge and gage, explain how they are typically used, and provide example sentences. The words gauge and gage have the same pronunciation ([ geyj ], rhymes with page). Gauge is the far more commonly used word. It has multiple …
Flair and flare have the same exact pronunciation, but they have completely different meanings. One is commonly used in the context of fire, while the other has to do with talent or stylishness. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between flair and flare and provide some example sentences to show how they’re typically used. Flair is always a noun. It’s often used to refer …
Is the head of a school called a principal or a principle? These two words are frustratingly similar, leaving even the most experienced English speakers to second-guess which word means what. In this article, we’ll discuss the distinct meanings between these easy-to-confuse terms—and leave you with a little trick to help differentiate between your principals and your principles. What is the difference between principal and …
Peal and peel are pronounced exactly the same and look very similar, but their meanings are quite different. In this article, join us as we peel back the layers of difference between peal and peel, show how to use the forms pealing and peeling, and provide examples of how these words are used in sentences. Peal and peel are homophones: they sound the same but …
The words to, too, and two sound exactly alike but are used in completely different ways. They are classic examples of what we call homophones—words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings and spellings. Because they’re so similar, they often get mixed up in written language. In this article, we’ll give you everything you need to make sure you choose the right to, …
Proceed and precede are nearly identical in both spelling and pronunciation—hence the common confusion around the two words. But their meanings are quite different. One of these words looks ahead and goes forward, while the other reflects on the past and references what has come before. But which one is which? And what about preceed? In this article, we’ll proceed to explain the differences between …
Let’s hit the brakes and take a quick break to break down the difference between brake and break. We’ll answer all your questions, including: Did we just use all of those words correctly? What’s the difference between break and brake? Is it break down or brake down? Is it a break pedal or a brake pedal? In this article, we’ll cover multiple meanings of these …
It’s common for the words reckless and wreck to be used in the same context, like in this sentence, for example: Many car wrecks are caused by reckless driving. But is wreckless a word? In this article, we’ll get to the bottom of the confusion between reckless and wreckless, including which one is used in common phrases—like those ending in driving and abandon. The adjective …
It’s no wonder you might need advice when it comes to the difference between council and counsel. Not only are they pronounced identically, but they are both often used in the same contexts and sometimes even in the same sentence! However, these words do have different meanings, and one of them is always a noun while the other can be a noun or a verb. …
English is absolutely full of words that sound or look the same but have different meanings. And we have words for these kinds of words: homophones, homographs, and homonyms. But remembering the difference can be its own challenge. In this article, we’ll break down the differences and the overlap and provide examples of all three. There is a helpful way to tell the difference between …
Your brain! Your nerves! The torment! The destruction! Is it rack or wrack?! And how does wreck fit into all this? Take a breath. In this article, everything will be explained, including: What’s the difference between rack and wrack? Is it racking my brain or wracking my brain? Is it nerve-racking or nerve-wracking? Is nerve-wrecking a word? Where do these phrases come from? The noun …