Monday, August 8, 2011

right, write, rite

Write or write means to set down on paper with letters, numbers, and perhaps punctuation marks--
I'm going to write a novel.
Why don't you write me a letter?
Write it down so you don't forget.

Right or right ( rhymes with write ) means the opposite of left, directionally--
Make a right at the corner.
Raise your right hand.
He swerved from left to right.
Right or right also means correct--factually or morally--
That is not the right answer.
Don't litter--it isn't right.

Right or rights, as a noun ( a thing or idea ) means what a person or entity gets to do--
You have the right to remain silent.
We all have civil rights in the United States.

Rite or rite ( rhymes with write ) means a religious or other ceremony, usually marking a change in the person's status in the community--
Marriage is a rite practiced all over the world.
Graduation ceremonies are a modern rite of passage into adulthood.

Now that you know that you can say--
"When you write about religious rites, make sure to get it right".

Note--you may have noticed that religious rites--such as baptisms, confirmations or weddings--could be confused with religious rights--which may be why we usually say "freedom of religion"--
Each church has the right to perform religious rites.

Note # 2--"wright" ( rhymes with write )  is an old-fashioned word  meaning  a maker or fashioner of a particular thing, and is usually combined with that thing, as one word--
People surnamed wheelwright don't necessarily make wheels nowadays.
People surnamed wainwright probably don't make wagons.









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