assault, a salt

Asaault or assault ( one word ) means a physical or violent attack, literally or figuratively--
He was charged with assault, but he may be released on bail.
Must you assault our ears with that awful music?

A salt or a salt ( two words, rhymes with assault ) means one ( a ) sodium chloride ( salt ), used for seasoning or preserving food--
There was a salt shaker on the table a minute ago; have you seen it?
The nurse said that a salt water gargle would make his throat feel better.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He used a salt water rinse on the cut he got in the assault; it looks better now."

shoal, sheol

Shoal or shoal means a shallow part of a river or body of water, often where a sand bank or land is exposed at low tide--
There is a shoal here when the tide is out, too shallow for a boat to cross.
They ran the boat onto a shoal, and waited for the tide to come in.

Sheol or sheol ( pronounced to nearly rhyme with shoal ) means the abode of the dead; hell--
"All your pomp is brought down to Sheol..."
"Her house is the way to sheol, descending to the chambers of death..."

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Their boat capsized when it hit a shoal, and the sudden plunge into the water seemed like a descent into sheol."

error, err or

Error or error ( one word ) means a mistake, or a mistaken belief--
You'll lose ten points for each error, so answer carefully.
Don't get his name wrong; he counts it an unpardonable error.
He answered in error, and lost the game.

Err or or err or ( two words ) means to make a mistake, to be mistaken or incorrect ( err ), offered as an alternative ( or )--
Did I err, or is this correct?
How will we know whether we err or take the right road?

Now that you know that, you can say--
"It will be counted as an error if you err or leave a space blank."

shirred, sherd

Shirred or shirred is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "shirr", meaning, of eggs, to bake in a dish--
Grandmother used to make shirred eggs in a custard cup, with a piece of bread stuffed into it.

Shirred is also then past tense of "shirr", meaning, in sewing, to gather up on three or more threads--
The bottom of the blouse is shirred at the waist.

Sherd or sherd ( rhymes with shirred ) means a fragment, most commonly of broken pottery--
He's very excited about the pot sherd he found; the site may turn out to be full of artifacts.
He wants an expert to look at that sherd; it may be ancient.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"She made a little cloth bag, shirred at the top, for each precious sherd."

Note--"shard" means any piece of broken glass, shell, or of some other substance that leaves sharp fragments when broken--
He stepped on a shard of broken glass, and needed some stitches.

tough, tuff

Tough or tough means strong and durable; not easily cut or broken--
This canvas should be tough enough to make a tent.
This meat is tough; we should marinate it.
Tough, of persons, means strong, hardy, or capable of great endurance, for good or for ill--
The veteran soldiers seem tough next to the new recruits.
He looks like a tough customer.
Tough may also mean hard, or difficult to solve--
This is a tough problem.
Tough luck.

Tuff or tuff  ( rhymes with tough ) means fragments of volcanic rock--
The site of the eruption is covered in tuff, some of it still warm.
People sometimes take a piece of tuff as a souvenir; many of them have mailed them back over the years.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The bottoms of your shoes are not tough enough to walk across that field of tuff."

aftermath, after math

Aftermath or aftermath ( one word ) means what follows a disaster or violent event--
Many people were left destitute in the aftermath of the flood.
There were thousands of refugees in the aftermath of the battle.

Aftermath also means the new growth of grass that follows mowing--
The aftermath will grow back thicker, and the lawn will look better.

After math or after math ( two words ) means later in time, place, importance, or emotion ( after ) arithmetic, a course in arithmetic, or a book of arithmetic ( math )--
I have English after math; what do you have?
After math, I like science best.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"There was a fight after math class, and in the aftermath some students made a break for it."

obvious, oblivious

Obvious or obvious means easily noticed, seen, or recognized, literally or figuratively--
Look for the house with the large pine tree; it's obvious, even when driving by.
The answer should be obvious to anyone who did the assignment.
The reason for his dismissal was obvious; he missed too much work.
Don't stare; you're being too obvious.

Oblivious or oblivious means unaware; unmindful; lacking memory--
He seems oblivious to the noise the kids are making; doesn't it bother him?
He woke up oblivious of where he had been the night before.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He seems oblivious to the effects of his behavior, no matter how obvious we make our disapproval."

wild, wiled

Wild or wild means not tame or domesticated, of an animal, or not cultivated, of a plant--
We saw a family of wild ducks in the pond.
There are some wild onions growing in the yard.

Wild may also mean in a rage; violent or unruly--
He went wild when he heard the good news; he ran around shouting and laughing.

Wiled or wiled ( rhymes with wild ) is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "wile", meaning to spend or pass time--
They wiled away the hours telling ghost stories.
The old people wiled away the evening playing cards, while the young people watched TV.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He wiled away the afternoon picking wild flowers, until he had a nice bouquet."

stick, schtick

Stick or stick means a long and slender piece of wood, or a small tree branch--
Does everyone have a stick for marshmallow roasting?
Don't lift your hockey stick above your elbow.

Stick may also mean to puncture with something pointed, as a pin--
Stick a toothpick in each cupcake before wrapping them.
Stick the pins in the pincushion; that's what it's for.

Stick may also mean to adhere or cling, literally or figuratively--
This tape won't stick; the window must be a bit wet.
Stick to the point!

Schtick or schtick ( aslo spelled shtick ) means a show-busines routine, a bit rehearsed or repeated--
When pressured she does a schtick in which she is the damsel in distress, like something out of vaudeville.
He became famous for his absent-minded schtick.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"In this schtick he picks up a stick and tries to lean on it, but falls."

filter, philtre

Filter or filter means a substance or device used to remove particles from liquid or air--
You forgot to put a filter in the coffee maker; the coffee's full of grounds.
The heater needs a new filter; this one's full of dust.

Filter may also mean a screen used to soften light, as in photography--
You can use a fine piece of cloth over the lens as a filter.
The photographer used a filter to make the scene look misty and romantic.

Philtre or philtre ( sometimes spelled philter, rhymes with filter ) means a magic potion or drug--
The philtre will put him to sleep, but when he wakes up he'll be in love with the first person he sees.
They visited an alchemist, in quest of a philtre that could help them.

Philtre may also mean the groove on the top of the upper lip--
That old photo isn't him; the philtre is much less pronounced.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The old sorceress used a bird's nest to filter the bones out of the love philter she was concocting."

bad, badly

Bad or bad means not good. Bad modifies ( describes ) a person, place, thing, state, condition, or idea--
"One bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch..."
This is a bad location for a new store.
He's in a bad situation.
That's a bad idea.
Don't feel bad; you couldn't help it.

Badly or badly also means not good, or not well. Badly modifies ( describes ) an action--
He plays tennis badly.
She sings badly, but she seems to enjoy herself.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He feels bad that he played so badly."

Note--to feel bad would mean to feel sick, hurt, or upset; physically or mentally bad--
You should call the doctor if you feel that bad.
He feels bad that he hurt your feelings.
Note # 2--to feel badly would mean to do a bad job of feeling something--
He feels badly; he said that sandpaper is soft.

forgetting, for getting

Forgetting or forgetting ( one word ) is a participle ( used with a helper verb ) of "forget", meaning to fail to remember; to be unable to recall--
Are you sure we aren't forgetting something?
Stop him; he is forgetting his package.

Forgetting may also be a gerund ( an action word used as an idea or thing ), meaning the inability to remember; failing to recall--
He has a habit of forgetting the time.
Forgetting is easy; remembering is difficult.

For getting or for getting  ( two words ) means in exchange for or in consideration of ( for ) obtaining or acquiring ( getting )--
How much should we tip him for getting the luggage?
For getting may also mean used for the purpose of ( for ) moving or causing ( getting )--
The ramp is for getting on the bus.

Now that you knowm that, you can say--
"You're forgetting that the bell is for getting our attention."

lemon, leman

Lemon or lemon means the yellow citrus fruit--
This is too sweet; maybe we should add some lemon juice.
"Lemon tree, very pretty, and the lemon flower is sweet..."

Lemon may also mean a car or machine that doesn't work, even when new--
This car has been in the shop more than it's been on the road; it's a lemon.

Leman or leman ( usually pronounced to rhyme with lemon ) means a sweetheart or mistress--
The troubadour wrote a sonnet in honor of his leman.
Each knight offered a toast to his leman, around the table in turn.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He wrote a poem to his leman, comparing her sour looks to a lemon."

pronounce, pronouns

Pronounce or pronounce means to say a word or phrase in a particular manner--
In Boston, they pronounce some words differently.

How do you pronounce this word?

Pronounce may also mean to utter formally or with authority, as a judicial decision--
The judge will pronounce the sentence tomorrow.

Pronouns or pronouns is the plural ( more than one ) form of "pronoun", meaning a word used in place of a noun ( thing or idea ) or proper name ( specific person or place )--
He, she, and it are all pronouns.
I read your paper; some of your pronouns don't agree with their antecedents.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Read it again, and try to pronounce the pronouns correctly."

overhaul, over all, overall, overalls

Overall or overall ( one word ) means including everything; covering every part or facet, literally or figuratively--
Overall, the bridge is about 100 feet long.
After his vacation, he was left with an overall sense of well-being.

Over all or over all ( two words ) means above in place or position ( over ) everything or everyone ( all )--
The same sun shines over all of the Earth, but not at the same time.

Over all may also mean through all  of ( over ) everything ( all )--
I'll get back to you in a day or two, when I have looked over all of the papers you sent.

Over all may also mean covering ( over ) everything ot everyone ( all )--
Find a blanket big enough to spread over all of the children.

Overhaul or overhaul ( rhymes with overall ) means to check all parts and perform necessary repairs and maintenance, literally or figuratively--
We will have to overhaul the furnace before the weather gets cold.
The board is planning to overhaul the company bylaws.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"We've looked over all the records, and we'll need to have an overall safety check, and we'll schedule an overhaul  of the machinery."

Note--"overalls" means a garment with trousers attached to a bib, held up by straps--
The baby needs some overalls now that he's crawling; pants slow him down.
He looked like a farmer, in denim overalls and a straw hat.

Not to be confused with "overhauls", the third person singular ( he, she, it ) form of "overhaul", meaning to check all parts and repair where necessary--
Our mechanic overhauls the car every year before we go on vacation.

toreador, to read or

Toreador or toreador ( one word, from Spanish ) means a bullfighter--
The famous toreador returned to his home town a hero.
The young women all threw roses at the toreador.

To read or or to read or ( three words ) means to look at and apprehend the meaning of printed or written words ( read ), as an alternative ( or )--
It's too noisy to read or watch TV.
Does he know how to read or write?

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The story of the toreador is available to read or to listen to as an audiobook."

candor, canned or

Candor or candor ( one word ) means frank or open, as in speech or writing--
He seems brusque to some people, but I find his candor refreshing.
They'll resent an attempt to cover up the error, so candor is important.

Canned or or canned or ( two words ) means something preserved in a tin or a can ( canned ), as an alternative ( or )--
Did you want canned or frozen peas?
Should we buy canned or fresh tuna?

Now that you know that, you can say--
When asked if he wanted canned or dried beans, he replied with candor, "neither".

loner, loaner

Loner or loner means a person who avoids company or personal attachments; someone who is usually alone--
He's seems to be a loner, but he's nice when you get to know him.
His family worries because he's a loner, but he's quite successful.

Loaner or loaner ( rhymes with loner ) means a car, or some other device, provided for temporary use while one's own is being repaired--
Ask if they will let us have a loaner while they fix the car.
This loaner is nicer than our car.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"This old loaner is quite a conversation piece; I don't feel like a loner anymore."

affix, a fix

Affix or affix ( two words ) means to fasten or join; to add on, literally or figuratively--
Make sure to affix a stamp before mailing.
I wouldn't want to affix a negative label to him; try to write a neutral reference.

A fix or a fix ( one word ) means one ( a ) predicament or difficult position ( fix)--
Now we are in a fix! What shall we do?

A fix may also mean an injection of heroin or narcotics--
He just keeps ranting that he needs a fix; we should take him to the mental hospital.

A fix may also mean bearings; the determination of a course or position--
See if you can get a fix on their location from the radio signals.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"It's useless to try to affix blame when he's yelling that he needs a fix; we should call the police."

graduation, gradation

Graduation or graduation means the ceremony of receiving a degree or diploma--
Only three more weeks until graduation, and school is over!
I want to meet your parents when they come for graduation.

Graduation may also mean marking off in units to indicate degree or quantity, or some other measure--
Make the graduation marks as visible as those on a thermometer.

Gradation or gradation means a procees that takes place in a series of stages or degrees, or one of the stages or degrees in such a process--
The gradation is subtle, but if you compare the beginning to the end, you'll notice the difference.
The color changes from blue to green, in a noticeable gradation.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"We have made a set of graduation marks, anywhere we could notice the gradation to a lighter shade of gray."

gopher, go for

Gopher or gopher means a ground squirrel; a small furry creature--
The dog saw a gopher stick its head up out of its burrow, and now he won't come in.
I think a gopher is making its home under the porch.

Go for or go for means to fetch or pursue--
Ask him if he'll go for coffee.

Go for may meanto proceed with the intention of--
Let's go for a drive in the country.

Go for may mean to be sold at a certain price--
How much did the painting go for?

Go for may mean to be used or set aside for a certain purpose--
This money will go for rent and utilities, and the rest will bespent for daily expenses.

Go for may mean to like or desire--
Do you think many people would go for a product like this?

Now that you know that, you can say--
"If we go for a walk in the fields, we may see a gopher or a rabbit."
"They call him the office gopher, because it's his job to go for this or go for that."