prescribe, proscribe

Prescribe or prescribe means to write down a set of rules or behavior. As a medical term, prescribe means a doctor has ordered a medicine or treatment--
The doctor might prescribe an antibiotic for his infection.
Only a doctor can prescribe something like that.
My grandmother used to prescribe chicken soup for a cold.
Most people with poor vision have a doctor prescribe their glasses.
Prescribe is also a legal term having to do with the use of property--
The court agreed to prescribe a passage to the river across his neighbor's land.

Proscribe or proscribe means to ban or prohibit, as in to make illegal--
The intent of the law is to proscribe illegal gambling.
We would probably need a constitutional amendment to proscribe guns.
Proscribe also means to denounce something--
The minister could be counted on to proscribe lewd behavior.
The historical meaning of proscribe is to declare a person an outlaw or condemned--
In Ancient Rome, to proscribe someone meant to take all of his property.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The speaker did not hesitate to proscribe the tendency of doctors to prescribe too many narcotics."

Note--"prescription" is the noun ( thing or idea ) from of "prescribe"--
The doctor wrote a prescription.
He waited at the drugstore while they filled his prescription.
Note # 2--"proscription" is the noun ( thing or idea ) form of "proscribe"--
The congregation paid little attention to the preacher's proscription of  alcohol.

hair, hare

Hair or hair means the stuff that grows on your head--
Mom said to comb your hair before you leave for school.
Long hair still reminds most people of the 1970's.

Hare or hare ( rhymes with hair ) means a rabbit-type creature--
Remember the old story of the tortoise and the hare?
The dog ran off, chasing a hare.

 Now that you know that, you can say--
"Her hair was a beige color, like the fur of a hare."

Note--not to be confused with "heir" ( rhymes with "air" ), meaning the one who will inherit a legacy or a kingdom--
They all wondered if he would be the heir to the throne.

sale, sail

Sale or sale is the noun ( thing or idea ) form of  "sell"--
The sale of his childhood home brought tears to his eyes.
The school has asked for contributions to its bake sale.
The car dealer was pleased that he made the sale.
Sale often means a "special sale" or a temporary reduction in price--
Let's go shopping. They're having a sale.
The sale ends tomorrow.

Sail or sail ( rhymes with sale ) means to use a boat powered by canvas sheets. Sail may refer to the sheets of canvas themselves, or to the action of  gliding over the water, powered by the wind in the canvas sheets, or "sails"--
He wanted to learn to sail a boat.
The sailor used his spare time to mend the torn sail.
We'll need some wind before we can sail.
Sail is often used to mean any act of gliding through something in a way that seems effortless--
He was sure to sail right through the final exam, after all that studying.
He still remembered the way she would sail through a room.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"They bought a new sail when the boating  store had a sale."

Note--a "sailer" means a boat powered by sails--
This boat is a good sailer.
A "sailor" is a person who goes about on boats, including someone in the navy or the merchant marine--
He wanted to become a sailor, so that he could travel to distant places.
A "sailor" is a "sailor" even if the boat doesn't have "sails"--
The sailor worked all day on the ship's engines.

stake, steak

Stake or stake means a post used to secure something, or to mark a border or boundary, usually by driving the post into the ground--
Last time they went camping, they lost a tent stake.
He sawed up the old broom handle to make a stake for the tomato plant.
Stake may be used as a verb ( action word ), meaning to secure something with a stake--
I can use this to stake up the tomato plants.
Stake may also mean one's interest in a matter, or what one has risked --
His job might be at stake in this investigation.
I wouldn't stake a cent on what that man said.

Steak or steak ( rhymes with stake )  means a cut of meat, usually beef--
He went to a restaurant for a steak dinner.
Steak is too expensive--buy some ground beef.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He tripped over the tent stake, and the tent fell down on our steak dinner."

Note--a "stake truck" has wooden or metal "stakes" around the back to form an enclosure--
He needed to keep the old stake truck running, or he wouldn't be able to drive to town.
Note # 2--to "burn someone at the stake" meant to tie him or her to a post and set a fire underneath. This is how some of the medieval saints died You can read about it in the story of Joan of Arc, if you're interested. People were also burned at the stake when accused of witchcraft. You can read about this in the history of the Salem witch trials--
He was burned at the stake, and became a martyr and a saint.
Note # 3--to "burn the steak" is culinary. Someone has left the steak on the grill too long, or cooked it too much in some other way--
Watch the grill. I don't want you to burn the steak.
"Steaks" is the plural ( more than one ) of "steak"--
Don't let the steaks burn.
Note # 4--"stakes" is the plural ( more than one ) of "stake"--
Don't forget the tent stakes this time.
They are playing for high stakes.

grate, great

Grate or grate means the frame of crossed metal bars that may make the bottom of a fireplace or the cover of a vent or window--
When the fire went out, she swept the ashes out of the grate.
The grate that covers the basement windows can't be removed.
To "grate" something means to shred it on the teeth or openings of a metal kitchen gadget--
Will you grate the cheese while I make the dough?
She likes to grate carrots for the salad.
Something may "grate" on one's nerves--
Her endless chatter may grate on your nerves.

Great or great ( rhymes with grate ) means extremely large or important--
They study great men of letters at school.
There are statues of  great generals in the park.
"Humpty Dumpty had a great fall..."
There is a great crowd of people at the mall.
Great is also used to mean very good--
That was a great movie!
They make great burgers there!
What a great idea!

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Will you help me grate the carrots to make that great carrot cake we had last Thanksgiving?"

Note--"greater" means larger than, in size, number, or importance--
Six is greater than four.
The taxes will be a greater problem.
"Grater" means the device used for grating cheese or other food--
Don't let the grater get rusty.
Where's the grater? I want to make a pizza.

idle, idol, idyll

Idle or idle means not in use--
His tools sat idle while he was ill.
The car sat idle in the garage while they were away.
When idle is used to refer to a person, it means not working, or doing nothing--
His wife always complained if he was idle for a moment.
She rarely spent an idle minute.
"Idle hands are the devil's workshop".
When idle is used to refer to a machine, it means that the machine is not being used, as in the expression "to let the car idle", meaning with the motor on, but sitting still--
Don't let the car idle too long; it wastes gas.
Her typewriter sat idle for weeks while she was on vacation.
Idle is also used to mean useless or ineffective--
That's just idle gossip.
They are just idle rumors.
Don't make idle threats.
"tears, idle tears..."

Idol or idol ( rhymes with idle ) means a religious statue that is worshiped or prayed to--
The plain people believe that any image might be used as an idol.
Many people think that all religious images are idols, if the images belong to a religion not their own.
Movie stars were once called "matinee idols".

Idyll or idyll ( rhymes with idle ) means something like a day in the country, or in an unspoiled natural place--it may mean the type of poem that is written about such a day, or it may refer to the day itself, and how it felt to be out of doors in a lovely setting--
The day was so lovely it  lacked only a poet to write an idyll.
The visit to the park seemed like an idyll.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"In his idle moments, he dreamed of an idyll in which his favorite movie idol played a part."

Note--"idler" is an old-fashioned word for a loafer or ne'er-do-well--someone who lounges about and does nothing, usually a man--
The townspeople called him an idler, but his farm was prosperous.
"Idly" describes an idle state, or a state of inaction--
He stood by idly while the barn burned.
Note # 2--An "idolater" is someone who worships an idol or image--
The country parson was sure the big city was full of idolaters.
"Idolatry" means the worship of idols, or "magic" statues or images--
Idolatry was once a criminal charge.
Note # 3--"idyllic" describes a lovely scene of nature at peace--
The picnic was lively, and the setting was idyllic.

steal, steel

Steal or steal means to take what doesn't belong to you--to commit robbery, larceny, or burglary--
The team hatched a plot to steal the rival school's mascot.
Don't steal my seat while I'm gone.
He planned a romantic date to steal her heart.
The runner tried to steal third base, but got caught.

Steel or steel ( rhymes with steal ) means the metal made of iron and coke ( the mineral )--
Most cars are made of steel.
Steel can rust, unless it is stainless steel.
Steel may mean to harden, in an emotional sense--
He took a deep breath and tried to steel his nerves.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"She tried to steel her heart against his efforts to steal her heart."
"He tried to steal the workman's steel tools."

Note--the past tense( yesterday, or some time ago )  of "steal" is "stole"--
He stole my sandwich!
The modifier ( describing ) form of "steal" is "stolen"--
He was arrested for receiving stolen goods.
"Stole" is also a noun ( thing or idea ), meaning a wrap that goes around a woman's shoulders--
She wanted a mink stole in the worst way.
A "stollen" is a kind of cake--
She offered coffee and stollen to the visitors.
Note # 2--a "stele" ( rhymes with steal ) is an upright slab of stone with words or images carved on it--
The museum staff spent years trying to decipher the writing on the ancient stele.

rain, reign, rein

Rain or rain means the drops of water that fall from the sky--
Take an umbrella; it looks like rain.
He got soaked in the rain on the way home.
Do you think it'll rain?

Reign or reign ( rhymes with rain ) means the duration of the rule of a king or queen, or the royal power of ruling the state--
Queen Victoria's reign lasted more than sixty years.
The next sovereign to reign over England will be Prince Charles.

Rein or rein ( rhymes with rain ) means a leather strap used to control a horse or other animal. It may refer to the strap itself  ( a thing ), or to the capacity to control the animal with it--
He checked the horse with a light rein.
Rein in your horse!

Now that you know that, you can say--
"During the reign of the late king, Grandfather helped the prince rein in his horses, which were upset by the rain."

Note--"reins" is the plural ( more than one ) of "rein"-- 
Hold on to the reins, or the horse might bolt.
"Reins" is also an old-fashioned term for a person's kidneys--
Some ancient people believed that the reins were the seat of emotion. 
Note # 2--"arraign" means to make someone appear in court to answer a charge or indictment--
The judge will arraign him on Monday.
Not to be confused with "a rain"--
They were plagued by a rain of frogs.
Or "a rein"--
Try to keep a rein on your temper.
Or "a reign"--
She celebrated a reign of sixty years.

him, hymn

Him or him is the objective form ( action is done to the person or thing ) of  "he"--
Give the sandwich to him.
I asked him, but he didn't know.

Hymn or hymn ( rhymes with him ) means a song about ( or to ) God--a religious song--
The cantor taught the congregation a new hymn.
We hear this old hymn on the radio a lot at Christmas time.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"There's the choir director. Ask him if he knows this hymn."

Note--a book of hymns is called a "hymnal"--
If you'll turn to page 100 in your hymnal...

dear, deer

Dear or dear modifies ( describes ) something or someone associated with feelings of affection or love--
Few people still use the salutation "dear sir or madam" in letters.
I'm writing a poem. What rhymes with "dear" ?
"Dear John...."
Hang on for dear life.
"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."
Dear is also an old-fashioned term for expensive or costly--financial or mental--
I bought chicken because beef was too dear.
The confession cost him dearly.

Deer or deer ( rhymes with dear ) means the creature that lives in the forest--Bambi, or another of the same species--
A deer ran right in front of our car.
Watch for "deer crossing" signs.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"My dear, you just nearly ran over a deer."

Note--the plural form ( more than one ) of "deer" is "deer". One deer. Two deer. Like fish. Or sheep.

plain, plane

Plain or plain means not fancy; unadorned, or without anything added--
He only likes plain hamburgers.
The plain truth is that it looks awful.
The Amish are also called the plain people.
She always considered herself a plain woman, but he thought she was pretty.
Plain also means a flat field--unobstructed, unadorned by trees, "plain"--
"..above the fruited plain."
The great plains of the west grow much of our wheat.
"The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain."
Plain is used to mean obvious or clear--
It became plain that the plan would not work.
It is plain to me that we are not getting a raise after all..

Plane or plane ( rhymes with plain ) usually means an airplane--
Are you taking the train or a plane?
"Trains, and boats and planes, can mean a trip to Paris or Rome."
Plane also means a woodworking tool, one that shaves off slivers of wood--
He fixed the door with a plane.
To plane, a verb ( action word ), means to use the woodworking too--
He planed the top of the door, but it still won't shut.
Plane may also mean a level, as in a "moral plane" or an "astral plane"--
Some amateur philosophers believe that they inhabit a different astral plane.
Plane is used as a math term, meaning all of the points on one flat level or "plane"--
The only poor grade he got was in plane geometry.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"From the plane, we could see the plain below, like a patchwork quilt."
"Standing on the plain, we could see the plane flying overhead."
"It was plain to see that she was afraid to get on the plane."

Note--"planed" is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of the verb ( action word ) "plane"--
He planed the door so that it wouldn't stick.
"Planet" means Earth, or another celestial body, out in space or orbiting the sun--
NASA will soon have video from another planet to show us.

wood, would

Wood or wood means the stuff that furniture and other items are made of, or the boards we get from cutting down trees--
Most furniture is made of wood.
We can used the wood in the fireplace.
Real wood furniture is more expensive than particle board.

Would or would ( rhymes with wood ) is the conditional  form of "will", as in might or might not do something, depending on circumstance--
I would go to the store, but it's raining.
Would you like some coffee?
Would you move over, please?

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Would you prefer wood or metal furniture?"

Note--"wooden" describes something made of wood--
Look at the old wooden bucket.
"Wouldn't" is a contraction ( short, informal form ) of "would not"--
I wouldn't go bungee jumping on a bet.

alley, ally

Alley or alley ( rhymes with valley ) means a narrow street or the space between two buildings--
The alley was too narrow for a plow, so they had to shovel it when it snowed.
They kept the trash cans in the alley.
People bowl in a bowling alley.

Ally or ally ( sounds like al--lie ) means a friend for a particular purpose, as in a war or political campaign--
He became an ally of the popular candidate after dropping out of the race himself.
Since we signed the treaty, our country has been an ally of their country.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The cat got in a fight in the alley, but found an unexpected ally in the neighbor's dog."

Note--the plural ( more than one ) of "alley" is "alleys"--
We have been in all the bowling alleys in town.
The plural of "ally" is "allies"--
Russia and the United States were allies in both world wars.
Not to be confused with "allay", meaning to relieve or diminish--
Her mom told her a story to allay her fear of the dark.
Laughter is believed to allay pain.

pair, pear, pare

Pair or pair means two matching things or people--
He bought a new pair of socks.
Don't they make a pretty pair?

Pear or pear ( rhymes with pair ) is the usually green pear-shaped fruit--
Would you prefer an apple or a pear?
There is a pear tree in the backyard.

Pare or pare( rhymes with pair ) means to peel a fruit or a vegetable, or to cut off the outer layer of something--
Don't forget to pare the potatoes.
You can't pare an apple with a butter knife.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The old Christmas song calls for a partridge in a pear tree and a pair of turtledoves."
"I can't find either of the pair of knives I need to pare the pear."

Note--"a pear" ( uh pare ), means one pear --
Would you like a pear?
Not to be confused with "appear" ( uh peer  ), meaning to become visible or come into sight--
"When what to my wondering eyes should appear...".
Appear also means to play in a movie, stage show, or other performance--
The famous comedian will appear later in the show.
Note # 2--au pair ( oh pare )  is a borrowed French phrase for a nanny or childcare professional--
They decided to hire an au pair for the summer.

precedent, president

Precedent or precedent ( press eh dent ) means something that happened before, used as an example for something current--
The court's ruling acknowledged the precedent set in a similar case last year.
The judge worked late looking for a precedent that would support his opinion in the case.
A precedent may be "set" in current time ( now ). It will become the example used in future cases--
This ruling will set a new precedent.
The new ruling sets a dangerous precedent.

President or president ( prez ih dent ) means the chief executive officer or decision-maker--
We will have another election for president next year.
He ran for class president in his junior year.
The president of the firm will retire next year.

Now that you know that, you can say:
"The procedure for counting the votes for president follows a precedent set in the last election."

Note--"presidents" is the plural ( more than one ) form of "president"--
Several former presidents are pictured on the money.
"President's" is the possessive  ( belonging to ) form of "president"--
The president's car is coming into view.
"Precedence" means a claim of greater rank or importance--
The need for security takes precedence over any campaign issues.
"Presidential" is the modifier ( describing ) form of "president"--
The presidential election is next week.
"Precedential" is the modifier ( describing ) form of  "precedent"--
This court ruling may be precedential.
"Precedential" is also a modifier  ( describing ) form of "precedence"--
His place in the ceremony is precedential to mine.

beside, besides

Beside or beside means next to or standing near--
No, put the lamp beside the table.
He stood beside her through the whole ceremony.

Besides or besides means with the means except or with the exception of---
Does anyone besides Dad want anchovies on the pizza?
Besides also means ( informally ) in addition to, or over and above--
We get benefits besides our pay.
It's not far to the store, besides, I'm going that way anyway.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Will anyone besides my mom stand beside me?

Note--"beside him" means next to him--
She stood beside him throughout the ceremony.
"Besides him" means except for him--
No one noticed, besides him.

Not to be confused with "bedside", meaning at the side of the bed of someone who is sick--
The new doctor has a terrible bedside manner.
She sat at the child's bedside night and day, until he recovered.

altar, alter

Altar or altar means a table or platform used for religious services--
The minister stood at the altar to lead the congregation in prayer.
The church ladies made a fine cloth for the altar.

Alter or alter ( rhymes with altar ) means to change or make different--
The tailor said he could alter your new suit to fit.
The room looks perfect. I wouldn't alter anything.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"We'll have to alter the altar cloth. It's too long."

Note--the noun form ( thing or idea ) of "alter" is "alteration"--
"Love is not love that alters when it alteration finds..."
The tailor shop does alterations, too.
Note # 2--Not to be confused with "alternation", a noun ( thing or idea ) , meaning  switching  back and forth between two different choices--
They argued about the alternation of duties on a weekly basis.
"Alternate" is a verb ( action word--pronounced all ter nate ), meaning to switch between two choices--
Some wanted the duties to alternate on a daily basis.
Manic-depressive people alternate between extremes of happiness and sadness.
An "alternate" ( pronounced all ter net ) is a person who serves in a particular position when the official person can't attend--
The alternate will attend if a juror is absent.
An "alternative" is one of two choices, or a different means or method for accomplishing the same end--
The traffic report said there is a detour. We'll need an alternative route.
"Alternating" is more familiar in the phrase "alternating current"--
Alternating current comes from the electric company, through house wiring or sockets. Direct current comes from batteries.
Note # 3--Not to be confused with "altercation", meaning an argument--
The police stopped by to see about the altercation.

profit, prophet

Profit or profit means the money left over after paying business expenses such as wages, rent, and supplies--
Our community bake sale made a profit of $500.
After paying the wages, the rent, utilities, and taxes, there was not much profit.
Profit is sometimes used figuratively--
"What profit a man if he gain the whole world but lose his own soul?"
There is little profit in listening to the rantings of fools.

Prophet or prophet ( rhymes with profit ) means a seer--someone who has visions, or who claims to predict the future--
He thundered and roared like an Old Testament prophet.
Many people hope to find a financial or investment prophet, instead of a mere advisor.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He made such a profit on Wall Street that he was considered a financial prophet or wizard."

Note--the verb ( action word ) form of prophet is "prophesy" ( proff eh sigh )--
It is forbidden to prophesy, according to many religious people.
The speech or prediction of a prophet is called a "prophecy" ( proff eh see )--
They were astonished when the prophecy came true.

pain, pane

Pain or pain means an ache or suffering--physical or emotional--
He went to see the doctor about the pain in his leg.
Some people get a sharp pain when they eat ice cream.

Pane or pane ( rhymes with pain ) means a section of glass that makes up a window, or a section of a door made in separate panels--
Luckily, the windows have small panes, and only one is broken.
He went to the hardware store to buy a pane of glass to fix the window.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He still has a pain in his hand from cutting it on the window pane."

Note--a window may have "panes"--
She disliked cleaning all the little panes in the front room windows.
Note # 2--A person might have "pains"--
She couldn't wait to tell the doctor about her aches and pains.
A person may also be "a pain"--
Tell your kid brother to stop being a pain.
A person may be "pained", meaning uncomfortable with something, mentally--
It pained him to think of it. It pains him to think of it.
Note # 3--to "take pains" or to be "painstaking" means to take great care with a project, or with a social dilemma--
She made sure to take pains to make her mother-in-law comfortable.
He went over the manuscript on a very painstaking and professional way.

incite, insight, in sight

Incite or incite means to encourage or rouse to action--
The demagogue meant to incite the crowd to riot.
It is unlawful to suggest violent crime. A speaker should know better than to incite mayhem.

Insight or insight ( always one word, rhymes with incite ) means a form of perception or intuition, such as a particular mental grasp of the reality of something, or of the true nature of something or someone--
The lecturer offered the audience some interesting insight into the problems of foreign relations.
Some people hope a therapist can offer insight into their emotional problems.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Professional insight on the psychology of crowds may help us discern which speaker might incite a crowd to riot."

Note--not to be confused with the phrase "in sight" ( two words ), meaning visible to the eye, or in view--
Do you see the bus? Is it anywhere in sight?

passed, past

Passed or passed is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "pass", meaning to get by or go by, physically, or to get an acceptable score or grade--
He passed the history exam by ten points.
We passed a gas station a few miles back.
We passed the exit!

Past or past ( rhymes with passed ) modifies or describes something that has gone by, in time or in space--
That is all past history.
Past may be used as an adverb ( describes an action) --
We drove past the exit!
He walked right past us!
Past or past may also be used as a noun ( thing or idea ), meaning the time gone by, in general, or a particular time period of years ago--
The museum has interesting relics of the past.
In the distant past, people had to walk anywhere they wanted to go.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"We just drove past the burger stand that we passed earlier. We went in a circle!"
"We passed a gas station on the highway"
"We drove past a gas station."

Note--a "pass" may mean the slip of paper an official gives someone to permit access to a building, or permission to move about in a building--
Where is your pass? Does your teacher know where you are?
Ask your teacher for a pass to visit the library.
Note # 2--To give something "a pass" means to skip it, or to decide not to participate--
We gave the new movie a pass, and went to the arcade instead
Note # 3--a person "with a past" ( usually a woman ) has a disreputable reputation--
The old biddies were sure their new neighbor was a woman with a past.
Note # 4--"pasta" ( one word ) means noodles--
Would you like a bowl of pasta?
Not to be confused with "past a " ( two words ), meaning the time gone by,  followed by the article "a" --
Do you think about the past a lot?
Or meaning having gone by something--
Did we drive past a sign?
No, we passed a truck with an ad on the side.

flour, flower

Flour or flour is the stuff that bread and other baked goods are made of. In the United States flour usually means wheat flour. Flour may also be made from rye, potatoes, rice, and other grains--
She bought a bag of flour to make a cake.
Make sure to grease the pan and dust it with flour, so the cake won't stick.
"Flour" may be a verb ( action word ), meaning to dust with flour--
Make sure to flour the rolling pin, or the cookie dough will stick to it.

Flower or flower ( rhymes with flour ) means the blossoms we see in vases, or growing on trees or plants--
She wore a flower in her lapel.
He put the flower in a vase.
"Flower" may be a verb ( action word ), meaning to put forth a bloom or blossom--
The tomato plants will flower in a couple of weeks.
Spring is lovely when the fruit trees flower.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"They bought some flour to make flower-shaped cookies for dessert."

Note-a plant making flowers is "in flower" or "flowering"--
The flowering apple trees are really a sight.
The trees are so pretty when they are in flower.
If a plant has made flowers already, it has "flowered"--
The cherry trees flowered last week. It's too bad you missed them.
More than one "flower" is "flowers"--
What a nice bunch of flowers!
"Flowers" is also the third person singular ( he, she , it ) form of the verb ( action word ) "flower"--
This tree is pretty when it flowers.
Note # 2--More flour is just more flour--a quantity, not a number--
Add more flour.
In discussing two or more kinds of flour, "flours" might be appropriate--
Measure the wheat flour and the rye flour. Add the two flours to the batter.
"Flours" may also be the third person singular ( he, she, it form ) of the verb "flour", meaning to dust with flour--
Tell her to make sure she greases and flours the pan.