askew, ask you

Askew or askew ( one word )  means at an angle, crooked or out of line--
The third picture is askew; straighten it out.
When they left the room was in disorder, with the chairs askew and the door ajar.

Ask you or ask you ( two words ) means to inquire of ( ask ) the person to whom one is speaking ( you ) --
I've been meaning to ask you about your trip.
There's someone here to ask you about a job.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"May I ask you why you left that piece of the railing askew?"

Note--"skew" is a verb ( action word ) meaning  to distort or make crooked--
 He may be tempted to skew the figures to make the investment seem like a sound one.
"Skew" may also be an adjective ( describes something ), meaning something slanted or oblique. So "a skew" ( two words ) might make part of a sentence--
 Do you have a skew chisel?
"Skew" may also be a noun ( thing or idea ), meaning an oblique movement or position. So "a skew" ( two words ) would mean one ( a )  slanted or oblique movement or position--
It looks like a skew to the right will put this back on the track.

perfect, prefect

Perfect or perfect means absolutely beyond improvement; faultless--
Her performance was perfect; the judges gave her a "10".
No, don't change a thing; this is perfect just the way it is.

Perfect also means comforming absolutely to a description or definition--
A perfect circle is made of points equidistant from the center.
He made a perfect fool of himself.

Perfect may also be a verb ( action word ), meaning to inprove or to make  faultless--
He is out practicing, hoping to perfect his golf swing.
With a bit of experience, you may perfect your aim.

Prefect or prefect means a person in a position of authority, as a magistrate in ancient Rome, or a French government official, or the dean of a Jesuit college--
They were summoned to the office of the prefect, who threatened to expell them.
The prefect of police charged them with making a public disturbance.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The prefect congratulated the student on his perfect attendance."

Note--"perfect" is an absolute. Something is either perfect, or it is not perfect, or imperfect. Something may be close to perfect, or far from perfect, but there is no comparitive ( cold, colder ) or superlative ( cold, coldest ) form of perfect--
That's close enough to perfect for me.
This is far from perfect, but it will have to do.

depreciate, deprecate

Depreciate or depreciate means to decline in monetary value--
Our plant will depreciate 10% over the next five years.
The car will depreciate $5000 the first year, almost as soon as it leaves the lot.
Depreciate may also mean to claim a decline in monetary value, for tax purposes--
We can depreciate this equipment up to 15% per year.

Deprecate or deprecate means to disparage or belittle; to express disapproval of--
So like her to deprecate something we've worked so hard on.
He's sure to deprecate any plan we present to him.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Our accountant will deprecate any plan to depreciate our manufacturing plant by more than 5%."

systematic, systemic

Systematic or systematic means having, using, displaying, or invloving a method or plan--
Let's use a systematic approach--we'll go through every name on the list alphabetically.
This would be easier if you'd be more systematic--put all the files you've checked in one pile, for a start.

Systemic or systemic is most commonly used as a medical term, meaning involving the entire body, through the bloodstream or system--
If the disease is systemic, it may be nearly impossible to cure.
Infections left untreated can become systemic, with serious consequences.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"We need a systematic way of checking for the presence of systemic infection."

before, be for, be four

Before or before ( one word )  means ahead of or in advance of-- in time, in space, in a series, or in a competition--
"'I' before 'E', except after 'C', and when sounding like 'A', as in 'neighbor' and 'weigh'."
He got here before she did.

Be for or be for ( two words, rhymes with before ) means to exis , to happen, to fit the description or into the category of, or to continue ( be ) with the purpose of, suiting the purpose of, supporting, or intended  ( for )--
How could you be for Roosevelt, when you know I want Al Smith to win the election?
Ah, a present. Could this be for me?

Be four or be four ( two words, rhymes with before ) means to exist, to continue, to fit the decription or into the category of,  or to happen  ( be ) the number 4 ( four )--
I hope there will be four cookies left when I get home.
How could there be four people in that phone booth?

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Before we find out who this package might be for, will there be four people for dinner, or five?"

Note--"beef", meaning the meat of cattle, can form a rhyme with "before"--
Did you want beef or chicken in your sandwich?
Note # 2--"bee", meaning a small creature with wings and a stinger, might form a rhyme--
Look, he made this bee for the art show!
"Bee", meaning a meeting for group work or academic competition might also form a rhyme--
We are having a quilting bee for the new neighbors.
Next week there will be a spelling bee for the whole school.

homey, homely, homily

Homey or homey means cozy and comfortable looking--
The fleece blankets make the place look homey.
A fire in the wood-burning stove made the old cabin seem homey.

Homely or homely means unattractive or unappealing--
He's sure he's a prince, but she thinks he's homely.
"...forgive some sinner and wink your eye at some homely girl."

Homily or homily means a sermon or a moralizing speech--
Everyone is still talking about last Sunday's homily.
The homily about bearing false witness was certainly food for thought.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The old man's homily about finding contentment at home inspired them to make the homely old place look  homey and inviting."

Note--"hominy" is a kind of corn for use in cooking or for making grits or corn porridge--
He was homesick for hominy grits, and didn't know where to find them in the big city.

magnet, magnate

Magnet or magnet means a lodestone; a piece of iron or steel that can attract iron or steel--
We'll put this on the refrigerator with a magnet.
Don't put the magnet near the DVD's.
Magnet may mean something that attracts, in a general sense--
This place is a magnet for office-seekers from all over.

Magnate or magnate means an important or influential person, usually in a particular field or industry--
The press reported the comments of the shipping magnate.
The oil magnate decided to run for office, instead of merely trying to influence the election.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He admired the speech the manufacturing magnate made, and stuck it to the file cabinet with a magnet."

ahead, a head

Ahead or ahead ( one word ) means in front of or in advance of, literally or figuratively--
Try to get ahead of that red car.
He finshed the race ahead of everyone else.

To "get ahead" means to succeed--
He spends all of his time and energy trying to get ahead--success means everything to him.

A head or a head ( two words ) means one ( a ) uppermost body part--the part with eyes, mouth, nose, and ears--
We saw a head rise over the fence, followed by the rest of the man. 
It's a modern painting, of a head floating in the air.

A head may also mean a brain, informally--
He has a head on his shoulders--he'll figure it out.

A head may also mean one of the top or chief persons in an organization--
He never dreamed he'd be a head of a department.

A head may also mean one of the striking or prominent ends of a tool or piece of hardware--
Look, a head from an old broken hammer.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"A young man with a head like yours ought to get ahead in no time at all."

overrate, overate

Overrate or overrate ( two r's ) means to value or esteem ( rate ) too highly ( over ) --
He has a tendency to overrate  his own charm.
It's one of those abstract works that people often overrate, for fear of seeming unsophisticated.

Overate or overate ( one r ) is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "overeat", meaning to consume too much food--
It was Thanksgiving, and everyone overate.
He overate, and wanted something to settle his stomach.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"You didn't overrate her wonderful cooking; I'm afraid I overate."

Note--the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "overrate" is "overrated"--
This movie is overrated; it wasn't nearly as good as most of its reviews claimed that it was.
The present tense ( now, or today ) of "overate" is "overeat"--
There will be a lot of food; try not to overeat.
Note # 2--"over eight" or "over 8 ", meaning more than eight, or describing a quantity or number greater than eight ( 8 ) , also rhymes with "overate" and "overrate"--
If the child is over eight, you'll have to pay the full admission price.
I had over 8 dollars when we left, but I can't remember where I spent it.

treaties, treatise

Treaties or treaties is the plural of "treaty", meaning an agreement or contract signed by two or more countries--
Our senate has refused to ratify three different treaties in the past year.
Both treaties contain provisions for fishing rights.

Treatise or treatise means a scholarly paper; a formal exposition of a subject, in writing--
His treatise on the social structure of beehives caused a sensation.
He is working on a treatise on artificial intelligence.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"His new treatise will examine all of the treaties the United States Senate has rejected."

Note--the plural of "treatise" is "treatises"--
The professor's desk was covered with the treatises of his graduate students.

Note # 2--the singular form of "treaties" is "treaty"--
One nation has accused the other of violating the terms of the arms treaty.

outrageous, outrages

Outrageous or outrageous describes something that is grossly offensive or shocking--
That was an outrageous comment! You should apologize!
They thought the movie was outrageous, and left after several minutes.
"Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune..."

Outrageous may also mean very unconventional or unusual--
He loves to say outrageous things; he always hopes to shock people.
She has an outrageous manner when meeting new people; they always remember her.

Outrages or outrages is the plural ( more than one ) of "outrage", meaning a gross offense or injury--
Please call the police if you have information regarding the perpetrators of these outrages.
The outrages of the last war seem to have been forgotten.

Outrages is also the third person singular ( he, she, it ) of "outrage", meaning to commit a gross offense or injury--
He outrages everyone within earshot with his foul language.
Their ignorant philosophy outrages most people, especially when it is used to explain crime and violence.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He was fired because of his outrageous comment about the recent outrages against civilians."

Note--"outrage us" ( two words ) might make part of a sentence--
His comments were meant to outrage us.

please, pleas

Please or please means to satisfy, or to indulge the whims or tastes of--
His mother is somewhat fussy, but this should please her.
He tries hard to please them, but they are never satisfied.
"If it please the court..."

Please is also used as an adverb, of sorts ( describes an action )--
Would you please stop that!
May we have a drink, please?

Pleas or pleas ( rhymes with please ) is the plural ( more than one ) of "plea", meaning an earnest request or supplication--
The man's pleas for help went unheeded.
The mother's pleas on behalf of her children caught the attention of a good Samaritan.

Pleas is also the plural of "plea",  meaning an answer to a criminal charge, or a legal request or petition--
If we can get the defendants to enter guilty pleas, their sentences may be shorter.
They will be tried individually, and will need to enter separate pleas.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"His repeated pleas of "please help us" finally brought a rescuer."

Note--"please" may be a verb, with all of the usual verb forms--
I please; you please; he pleases. It pleased. We are pleased. It is pleasing.
The adjective ( describes something ) form of "please" is "pleasant"--
What a pleasant surprise!
Note # 2--"plea" is a noun ( thing or idea ). The verb meaning to to answer a criminal charge, or to make a request, is "plead"--
I plead; you plead; he pleads; everyone is pleading. Tomorrow we will plead.
The past tense of "plead", meaning an earnest supplication, is "pleaded"--
She pleaded with him to stop drinking, but he ignored her.
The past tense of "plead", meaning to answer a criminal charge, is "pled"--
He pled guilty to a charge of possession, and will probably be sentenced to probation.

go on, goon

Go on or go on ( two words ) means to proceed or continue--
Please, go on; don't stop on my account.
If you go on behaving this way you will have to stay after school.

Go on, informally, also means to chatter or blather--
Oh, she can go on about her grandchildren for hours if you don't stop her.
He will go on about his college days when he meets an old friend.

Go on also means to make use of for evidence or a clue--
All we found was a hair. That doesn't leave us much to go on.
This scrap of paper is all we have to go on.

Goon or goon ( one word ) means a henchman or a hired thug--
The crime boss sent a goon to collect the protection money.
He started his career as a goon for a racketeer.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"With a description to go on, the police arrested the goon who beat up the storekeeper."

hearsay, heresy

Hearsay or hearsay means rumor or gossip--
You can't testify to what someone else said happened--that would be hearsay.
They'll understand what you mean by hearsay if you define it as "he said she said".

Heresy or heresy means deviation from standard or orthodox teaching, most commonly used to describe religious deviance--
Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for heresy.
The European church once used the inquisition to stamp out heresy.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Hearsay was accepted as evidence in the religious courts where heresy was tried."

billed, build

Billed or billed is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "bill", meaning to send an invoice or statement of money owed--
We billed the client last week, but we haven't had a response yet.
The hotel billed us for an extra night.

Billed may also describe the bill of a bird ( or animal ), meaning its beak or leathery jaw part--
Look! A duck-billed platypus!

Billed may also be the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "bill", meaning to make the noise a pigeon or dove makes--
They billed and cooed like a pair of lovebirds.

Build or build ( rhymes with billed ) means to construct or put together--
Let's build something with the blocks.
He is learning to build a fire.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"We can build a garage for you, and you won't be billed until it's done."

Note--"built" is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "build", meaning to construct or put together--
He built their house himself.
That house was built twenty years ago.

Note # 2--"billet" means an assigned bunk or place to sleep, usually for someone in military service--
Has this soldier been assigned a billet?

rigid, rigged, ridged

Rigid or rigid means stiff, inflexible, or unyielding, literally or figuratively--
The rigid wooden pole snapped in two during the storm.
He followed a rigid code of behavior, and wouldn't accept any new standards.

Ridged or ridged means having a ridge, meaning a narrow elevation or raised strip--
It had a ridged back, like a wild hog.
We may need to flatten the part of the roof that is ridged to may fix the leak.
It's on the other side of that ridge, on top of the first hill.

Rigged or rigged is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "rig", meaning to put in proper order for use--
The ship is rigged and ready to sail.
He rigged up a portable generator on the spot.
Rigged may also mean furnished with equipment or gear--
They rigged him out for a long camping trip.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He rigged one end of the sign to a rigid stake, and the other to the edge of the roof, where it's ridged."

Note--"rigor" means strictness, stiffness, or severity, figuratively--
He disliked the rigor of life in a religious order.
Not to be confused with "rigger", meaning someone who sets up equipment in working order--
He worked as a rigger on a large sailing ship.
Note # 2--"rigorous" means characterized by harshness or severity, figuratively--
Only rigorous discipline kept order in the camp.

hardy, hearty, hardly, heartily, hardily

Hardy or hardy, when used to describe people, means able to withstand fatigue, hunger, or exposure to the weather--
Our soldiers are hardy enough to survive for days on the rations in their packs.
These young people may not be hardy enough for a camping trip.

Hardy or hardy, when used to describe plants, means able to survive a cold winter or a drought--
This shrub is guaranteed to be hardy enough to survive  freezing weather.
This plant isn't hardy enough for this region, but it may be used as an annual.

Hearty or hearty ( almost rhymes with hardy ) means unrestrained, enthusiastic, or vigorous--
His hearty greeting made everyone feel at ease.
They ate with a hearty appetite after the long walk.
Hearty may be used to describe a filling, warming, or nourishing meal--
A hearty bowl of soup will warm us up.

Hardly or hardly means barely, or almost not at all--
We could hardly see the fireworks through the fog.
Speak up; we can hardly hear you.

Hardily or hardily is an adverb ( describes an action), meaning in the manner or way of someone who can survive hardship or endure deprivation--
Life at camp taught them to live hardily.

Heartily or heartily is an adverb ( describes an action ), meaning in an enthusiastic or unrestrained manner--
He welcomed them heartily, and offered them a drink.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Campers who aren't hardy enough can hardly stand the climb", he said heartily. "They'll go at it hardily after a hearty meal."

Note--"hardy" or "hardie" is also the name of a metalworking tool, similar to a chisel--
This is the wrong tool. You'll need a hardy.

Note # 2--"Hardy"  ( a proper noun, and always capitalized ) may also be a family name or surname--
Our literature class is reading a novel by Thomas Hardy.

Note # 3--"hearty" is also an old-fashioned word for a sailor or shipmate, more familiar in its plural form of "hearties"--
There's grog for all of me hearties.

frank, franc

Frank or frank describes speech that is candid or open--
Let's be frank--your job performance needs improvement.
His frank and friendly manner helped to defuse the situation.

Frank may also means to stamp or make a physical mark or impression on something--
You don't have to put stamps on those. Our postage meter will put a frank on them.

Franc or franc ( rhymes with frank ) is a unit of money used in France and some other countries--
A French franc is the equivalent of about 20 cents in American money.
He keeps a Swiss franc in his pocket as a lucky piece.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He told them in a frank, engaging way that he hadn't a franc to his name."

Note--"frank" may also mean "frankfurter", meaning a hot dog--
Do you want mustard on your frank?
"Franks" may be the plural ( more than one ) of "frank", meaning a hot dog--
We are having franks and beans for lunch.
"Franks"may also be the third person singular ( he, she, it ) form of "frank", meaning to stamp or impress--
This machine franks the mail; there's no need to go to the post office.

Note # 2--"Frank" may also be a man's given name, or a surname or family name--
Is Frank still at the same address?
Is Mr. Frank at home?

surely, surly

Surely or surely means certainly; without a doubt--
It's only 6 o'clock; surely the store will be open.
Surely you don't mean that!

Surely may also mean without slipping or missing, to describe a physical action--
He climbed up the ladder slowly and surely.

Surly or surly means rude or ill-tempered--
What a surly clerk! I'll never shop here again!
There's no use being surly.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Surely being surly won't change the weather."

tenant, tenet

Tenant or tenant means someone who rents a house, land, or some other property--
The tenant in the apartment upstairs is noisy.
He was a tenant farmer; he paid the rent with some of his crops.

Tenet or tenet means a doctrine or principle; a basic part of a belief system--
Life after death is a tenet of the Christian religion.
Self-reliance was an important tenet of his personal philosophy.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"One basic tenet of his belief system was that a tenant should pay the rent promptly."

Note--"tenent" ( usually pronounced to rhyme with tenant ) means adapted for holding or clinging, as hairs on the legs of some insects or spiders--
The spider has tenent hairs on its legs; it's a very good climber.

immigrant, emigrant

Immigrant or immigrant means someone who has moved to a country from a foreign place--
I didn't know she was an immigrant; how long has she been here?
He is an immigrant from Cuba. He goes to night school to learn English.
Immigrant is also used as an adjective, to describe something done by or for people who have moved to a country from a foreign place--
A hundred years ago, it was easy to find work for immigrant labor.

Emigrant or emigrant means someone who has left his or her country to go to a foreign place--
The young emigrant was often homesick.
The emigrant planned to move to Canada, but came to the United States instead.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The emigrant from England became an immigrant in America."

Note--"Immigrate" means to settle in a foreign country or place--
The naturalization authorities refused him permission to immigrate to the United States.
Immigrate is a verb, with all of the usual verb forms--
I immigrate; you immigrate; he immigrates; we immigrate. Everyone is immigrating. Yesterday they immigrated. Tomorrow they will immigrate.

Note # 2--"Emigrate" means to move from one's home to a foreign country or place--
The family plans to emigrate from Mexico, because they can't find employment there.
Emigrate is a verb, with all of the usual verb forms--
I emigrate; you emigrate; he emigrates; we emigrate. Everyone is emigrating. Yesterday we emigrated. Tomorrow we will emigrate.

Note # 3--"Immigration" is a noun ( thing or idea ), meaning the process of entering a country from a foreign place; or foreigners entering a country to settle, in general terms--
Congress is talking about immigration reform.
"Emigration" is a noun ( thing or idea ), meaning the process of leaving a country to go to a foreign place, or citizens leaving their country to settle elsewhere, in general--
Ireland lost much of its population to emigration in the 19th century.

stimulate, simulate

Stimulate or stimulate means to invigorate or incite to action or effort--
Some economists want to lower the interest rate to stimulate home buying.
Children may have difficulty concentrating if their video games stimulate them too much.

Simulate or simulate means to pretend or to feign; to take on the appearance of--
This robot was programmed to simulate human speech.
This is meant to simulate a tropical garden; some of it is plastic.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"We hope to use this program to simulate what will happen if we use fertilizer to stimulate growth."

Note--"stimulate" is a verb ( action word ), with all of then usual verb forms--
I stimulate; you stimulate; he stimulates; we are stimulating. Yesterday we stimulated.
"Stimulation" is a noun ( thing or idea ) form of "stimulate"--
This may be too much stimulation for the children.
"Stimulant" is something used to produce energy or to invigorate--
The caffeine in coffee and tea is a commonly used stimulant.
Note # 2--"simulate" is also a verb ( action word ), with all of the usual verb forms--
I simulate; you simulate; he simulates; we simulate; everyone is simulating.
Yesterday we simulated. Tomorrow we will simulate.
"Simulation" is a noun ( thing or idea ) form of "simulate"--
This isn't real; it's a simulation.
Note # 3--not to be confused with "assimilate", meaning to absorb or incorporate, physiaclly or culturally--
It takes time for the body to assimilate the food we have eaten.
"Assimilation" is the noun ( thing or idea ) form of "assimilate". "Assimilation" means absorption or incorporaton--
Most immigrants become Americans through assimilation.

assign, a sign

Assign or assign ( one word ) means to give or allot--
The college will assign a dorm room to each student.
The teacher will assign homework for the week on Monday.
Assign also means to appoint to a job or duty--
He hopes the sergeant won't assign him guard duty.
The commander will assign him to a new post next week.
Assign is used as a legal term, meaning to transfer to another party--
Can we assign this property in payment of the debt?
Assign may mean the party to whom the property is transferred--
Are you an heir or assign of the deceased?

A sign or a sign ( two words ) means one ( a ) mark or symbol representing a word or idea--
The "x" is used as a sign meaning "incorrect". 
A sign may also be one ( a ) indication or intimation--
"And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in  manger."
A sign may be a gesture or motion ued to express an idea--
A wave of the hand is a sign of recognition.
A sign may be made of wood, metal, paper, or some other material, with words or images painted on it--
I think we're lost. Look for a sign.
They may be closed. Did you see a sign?
A sign may mean a trace--
There wasn't a sign of them.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"I noticed a sign directing us to the office where they will assign our rooms."