be head, behead

Be head or be head ( two words ) means [ be ] the chief  or superior ( head ) --
He wants to be head waiter, but he doesn't have enough experience.
He may be head of production when the current head retires.

Behead or behead ( one word ) means to decapitate, to cut off the head --
The French used the guillotine to behead people who were condemned to death.
The British Parliament voted to behead their king, after trying him for treason.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Who will be head of state after we behead the king?"

forbear, for bear, forebear

Forbear or forbear ( one word ) means to refrain from doing something; to resist the urge to do something or say something --
It took all of her self-control to forbear kicking him.
Try to forbear blurting out the obvious retort.

Forebear or forebear ( one word ) means an ancestor, or a relative of some kind from the past --
He bore a close resemblance to his forebear, the man in the old portrait.
He was given the name of an illustrious forebear, but it was an embarrassment to him.

For bear or for bear ( two words ) means [ for ] a large hairy animal that can walk on its hind legs ( bear ) --
They will hunt for bear on their next camping trip.
He stormed out of the office, loaded for bear.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He had to forbear shooting at the deer; he was determined to hunt for bear, as his forebear had done centuries ago."

absence, absents

Absence or absence means an occasion of a person not present when wanted or expected, or a thing lacking, missing, or nonexistent --
His dog waits in the window during his absence.
The chairman's absence will mean a postponement.
The absence of a spare tire means we'll need a tow truck.
We can't fill the position in the absence of a suitable candidate.

Absents or absents ( rhymes with absence ) is the third person singular ( he, she, it ) form of "absent", meaning to stay away or go go away --
If he absents himself from another meeting, he may lose his job.
She generally absents herself from the more personal discussions.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The next time he absents himself from a meeting, we'll vote to replace him in his absence."

bad, badly

Bad or bad describes something -- something of unacceptable quality, something spoiled, something unpleasant, something or someone disobedient or wicked --
This is such a bad movie!
I think this milk is bad.
He is having a bad day.
What is that bad smell?
He made a bad decision.
We should correct the dog's bad behavior.
Bad dog!

Badly or badly describes an action -- an action done poorly, ineptly, unsuccessfully, or incorrectly --
He did the job badly.
He plays tennis badly.
We planned this badly.
He behaved badly.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He feels bad that it turned out so badly."

Note -- It can be difficult to decide whether a word is an action or a thing. Feel is one example of this. Most people agree that when feel means an emotion, it is described as a thing --
"I feel bad about the pile of work I left on my desk."
When feel means to touch something it may be described as an action --
"He thought this was real fur; he feels badly."

Note # 2 --"badly" also means seriously or gravely --
"The building was badly damaged in the fire."
"He was badly hurt; he will be in the hospital for weeks."

furlough, furlong

Furlough or furlough means a leave of absence, most commonly from the military --
He will be home on a weekend furlough before he goes overseas.
The local prison has a work furlough program; these men come here each day to work.

Furlong or furlong is a unit of measure, equal to an eighth of a mile, or 220 yards ( 201.68 meters ) --
A city block is usually about a furlong on each side.
We still use the furlong to measure horse races, among other things.

Now that you know that you can say--
"The workers on furlough will be helping to divide the land into plots measuring a furlong on each side."

Note -- "fur long" ( two words) means the hair of some animals ( fur ) left to grow ( long ) --
Will you leave the dog's fur long, or have it cut for the warm weather?

shed, she'd

Shed or shed means a small building used to store tools or machinery, or to house livestock --
Did you put the lawnmower in the shed?
He wants to use that old building as a goat shed.

Shed may also mean to cast off hair or skin --
How did one cat shed all of this hair?
The snake will shed its skin and leave it behind.

She'd or she'd is a contraction ( short, informal form ) of "she had" or "she would" --
If she'd been on time, this wouldn't have happened.
I wish she'd stop making that noise.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"If she'd put the rake in the shed, she wouldn't have tripped over it."

weed, we'd

Weed or weed means a wild plant growing in a garden, or someplace it isn't wanted --
Is this a flower or a weed?
This weed must have grown here overnight.

Weed also means to remove unwanted wild plants from a lawn or garden --
I'll have to weed the garden tomorrow; it looks awful.

Weed is also a slang term for marijuana --
Weed may become legal in our state soon.

We'd or we'd ( rhymes with weed ) is a contraction ( short, informal form) of "we had" or "we would" --
We'd better get going; it's starting to rain.
We'd like extra cheese on that, please.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Grandpa could still mow the lawn and weed the garden, if we'd help him sometimes."

knelt, knelled

Knelt or knelt is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "kneel", meaning to be on one's knees or to get on one's knees --
He knelt before the queen to receive the accolade.
He knelt down to look under the sink, and he bumped his head getting up.

Knelled or knelled is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "knell", meaning to ring once,  said of a bell, or the sound of a bell, most commonly meaning a deep, mournful tone --
The bell knelled once for each of the dead.
The old bell knelled its last; the chapel will be torn down next week.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The congregation knelt to pray, as the bell knelled for their lost loved ones."

scoot, scute

Scoot or scoot means to move or go quickly, or to move to make room for someone or something --
It's getting late; we'd better scoot.
Ask him to scoot over to make room for us.

Scute or scute means one of the hard bony or horned plates that make part of the shell of a turtle, the skin of a crocodile, or the feet of a bird --
The turtle was injured, and the vet did some body work on the damaged scute.
This bird has something sharp stuck under a scute on his left foot.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Scoot over; I want get a shot that shows the scute that was injured."

investor, invest or

Investor or investor ( one word ) means a person who provides money to a business, usually for a share of the profits, or a person who buys stocks or shares in a business --
If we could find an investor, we could start our own business.
He was a Wall Street investor, but he lost most of his money in the crash.

Invest or or invest or ( two words ) means to buy stocks, bonds, or a part of a business, with the goal of making a profit ( invest ) offered as an alternative ( or ) --
You should invest or save some of your money; don't just spend it.
Would you like to invest, or do you need some time to think about it?

Now that you know that, you can say--
"If your friend won't invest or lend money, maybe we should look for another investor."

Note -- "invest" may also mean to give a certain feeling or quality to --
The accident served to invest or charge the piece with a real feeling of pathos.

abroad, a broad

Abroad or abroad ( one word ) means overseas, in a foreign country, or to a foreign country --
He will be studying abroad next semester, in England.
He wants to travel abroad, but his father told him he'll have to wait a year or two.

Abroad may also mean distributed over a wide area, literally or figuratively --
The seeds are scattered abroad when the wind blows.
There is a rumor abroad that he plans to resign.

A broad or a broad ( two words ) describes something ( a ) wide ( broad ), literally or figuratively --
There is a broad tract of land behind the garage; we're not sure what to do with it.
He'll find a broad range of opportunities to advance if he decides to take this position.

A broad may also be an old-fashioned, rude, slang term for a woman --
He was with a broad we didn't know, so we passed them by.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He'll develop a broad range of interests after a year spent abroad."

aboard, a board

Aboard or aboard ( one word ) means on or in a train, plane, or ship --
All aboard!
There were more than a hundred passengers aboard the missing plane.

A board or a board ( two words ) means a long flat piece of wood --
I need a board 6 inches wide, and at least 5 feet long.
We could use a board to prop open the door.

A board may also mean a governing body of a corporation --
There will be a board meeting next week, and we will discuss your ideas.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Find a board to use as a gangplank, so that everyone can get aboard."

deign, Dane

Deign or deign means to reluctantly agree or decide to do something, because it is stooping, or lowering oneself --
He would not deign to socialize with his co-workers.
He would never deign to display emotion in public; you must be thinking of someone else.

Dane ( always capitalized, rhymes with deign ) means a person from Denmark --
He quietly reminded them that he was a Dane, a descendant of the Vikings.
She's a Dane, and doesn't speak much English; can we get a translator?

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The old Dane thinks we're making fun of him, and he won't deign to reply. Get the bilingual dictionary, and maybe we can fix this."

infertile, in fertile

Infertile or infertile ( one word ) means unable to conceive or reproduce, or unable to support crops or other plants --
She is infertile; they are waiting to adopt a child.
The label says this birdseed is infertile, but it's sprouting and growing weeds.
This soil is infertile; everything we plant in it dies.

In fertile or in fertile ( two words ) means [ in ] capable of producing or sustaining crops or other plants, or capable of conceiving young ( fertile ) --
Make sure to sow the seeds in fertile soil, and they will sprout in a week or two.
Climbing roses planted in fertile ground will grow to the top of the trellis.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"This seed has been treated to render it infertile; it won't sprout even in fertile ground."

merge, emerge

Merge or merge means to combine to form a single unit --
This lane ends soon; you'll have to merge left.
They plan to merge the two companies into one large corporation.

Emerge or emerge means to come out of a place that was hidden from view or notice --
He's waiting to see if a rabbit will emerge from that thicket.
Do you plan to emerge from your man cave sometime today?

Now that you know that, you can say--
"When he decides to emerge from his hideaway, ask him about his plans to merge with his competitor."

liberty, libertine

Liberty or liberty means freedom, personal or political --
"My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty..."
One person's liberty ends where another's begins.

Libertine or libertine is an old-fashioned term for a person of loose morals, a party animal or playboy --
He wants to live like a libertine of the 18th century.
They called him a libertine because he lived with several different women, but never married.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"She was a real libertine; she advocated social and sexual liberty, among other things."

automation, automaton

Automation or automation means the use of machines or electronic devices to do work once done by people --
Increasing automation means increasing unemployment.
Many factories are now run almost entirely through automation.

Automaton or automaton means a robot, or a pre-programmed device of some kind --
He plans to make an automaton that will be able to make intelligent decisions.
She moved stiffly and artificially, like an automaton.

Now that you know that you can say--
"When the automation is complete, an automaton will be able to run all of this machinery."

assailable, a salable

Assailable or assailable means vulnerable to attack, literally or figuratively --
The fortress is assailable only from the north; the other sides are surrounded by water.
The opposition has found our candidate assailable through his personal connections.

A salable or a salable ( also a saleable, rhymes with assailable ) describes something ( a ) that is good enough to sell, or that can be sold for cash ( salable ) --
This is still a salable item, but you won't get much for it.
People buy gold because it is nearly always a salable commodity.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"They think his business record is assailable, but he never promotes anything except a salable painting."

fail, flail

Fail or fail means not succeed, or not work as planned or needed--
If you fail this course, you'll have to repeat it next semester.
Our plan will fail if we don't stick to the schedule.

Fail, said of a business, means to become bankrupt --
During the 1930's, a run on the bank could cause it to fail.

Flail or flail means a farm implement; a short pole with a heavy stick that swings free attached to the end, for threshing or beating grain --
He has a flail and some old rakes hanging on the wall.
This flail was used to separate the grain from the chaff.

Flail also means to swing wildly, or to beat as with a farm implement --
She saw his arms flail about, and wondered what he was swinging at.
He used the handle to flail the assailant on all sides.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"This project will fail if we continue to flail about, taking swings at each problem, but not solving any of them."

prominent, preeminent

Prominent or prominent describes something that stands out or that is easily noticed, or someone who is well-known, professionally --
After a few miles you will see a prominent ridge; turn right at the next intersection.
He has been a prominent member of the town council for many years.

Preeminent or preeminent ( also spelled pre-eminent ) describes a person who is the most famous, best qualified or most distinguished in some field or occupation --
He is the country's preeminent economist; let's ask him what he thinks.
She had the assistance of the preeminent researcher in her field.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"We'll need to choose the preeminent applicant from a group with several prominent candidates."

chow, ciao

Chow or chow is an informal word for food --
I'm hungry; let's get some chow.
There's plenty of chow, and the drinks are in the cooler.

Chow is also a breed of dog --
That chow must be hot in this weather.
He wanted a chow, but they can be impatient with children.

Ciao or ciao ( rhymes with chow ) is an Italian word frequently used by English speakers, meaning good-bye or hello --
See you at work tomorrow. Ciao!
Ciao! I didn't expect to see a familiar face!

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Let's meet for some chow after work on Friday. Ciao!"

Note-- "chow hound" means someone who thinks about and pursues food constantly--
He's a real chow hound; always first in line for food."

Taurus, torus

Taurus ( always capitalized ) means the constellation seen in late Spring, or the sign of the zodiac associated with it --
At this time of year Taurus is visible in the Northern Hemisphere.
He says he's a Taurus, and that's not compatible with her sign.

Torus or torus describes something three dimensional, round with a hole in the center --
A doughnut with a hole in the middle is a torus.
He's looking for a computer program that will help him to graph a torus.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Look through the part shaped like a torus, and you will see Taurus just above the horizon."