statue, statute

Statue or statue means a three-dimensional work of art, either representational ( an image of someone or something ) or non-representational ( an abstract design )--
What is that statue supposed to represent? It looks like a giant piece of shrapnel.
The pigeons love to roost on the statue of the former mayor.

Statute or statute means a written law or ordinance--
The statute says "children", not "minors", so I'm not sure it applies in this case.
The statute calls for a heavy fine for unlicensed dogs.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"That statue is in violation of the statute against obstructing the sidewalks."

Note--"statuary" means a set or group of statues, or sculpture in a general sense--
There are several odd pieces of statuary in the back garden.
"Statutory" means according to the written law or statute--
 Criminal law in the United States is statutory, but some civil cases are still argued according to common law or tradition.
Note # 2--"statues" is the plural ( more than one ) of "statue"--
Two statues of lions guard the main gate.
"Statutes" is the plural of "statute"--
Several statutes address that issue; one comprehensive statute would be easier to understand.
Not to be confused with "status", meaning position or rank--
She updated her Facebook status. Did you see it?
Status quo is a Latin phrase, meaning things as they are, or the state of things--
They were prosperous, and determined to preserve the status quo.
"Status quo ante bellum" means "the state of things before the war", an agreement to go back to the boundaries that existed before a war began--
They will not sign the treaty if it means a return to the status quo ante bellum.
Note # 3--"statuesque" means tall and stately, like an Ancient Greek or Roman statue--
She was statuesque and assertive--she intimidated many people.
Note # 4--"stature" means height, or, figuratively, the level of achievement attained--
He was of greater than average stature, at least six feet tall.
A man of his stature can expect to be recognized wherever he goes.

often, of ten

Often or often( one word ) means frequently, or as a somewhat regular habit--
We often go to the beach while on vacation.
He often stops at that store on the corner.

Of ten or of ten ( two words ) means out of a set of ten ( 10 )--
This is one of ten movies we rented, so we have to keep watching.
This book is one of a set of ten.
This is the last of ten pizzas.
Of ten may also mean made or derived from ( ten of something )--
"My strength is as the strength of ten because my heart is pure."
This quilt was made out of ten baby blankets.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"We often  stop at one of ten restaurants along the way."

Note--"to the power of ten" may be a math term, probably an informal term for an exponent--a little number at the top of a number, telling you how many times the number should be multiplied by itself. If the exponent is ten ( 10 ), that would be ten ( 10 ) times. What is more likely is that someone is trying to write scientific notation without a program that will show an exponent ( the keyboard doesn't have one ). Scientific notation is how really large numbers are written. A number is shown,  times the number ten ( 10), with an exponent showing how many times ten ( 10 ) should be multiplied by itself, or, how many zeroes to add to the end of the number. This is usually read as "ten to the nth power", n being the exponent, or power of ten.
10² is read "ten to the second power, or ten squared". Ten to the second power is one hundred  (10x10=100 ).
10^{3 is read "ten to the third power, or ten cubed". Ten to the third power is one thousand. ( 10x10x10=1000 ).} 
10^{4 is read "ten to the fourth power". Ten to the fourth power is ten thousand. ( 10x10x10x10=10,000 ).
Other numbers may be squared, cubed, or raised to a "power"--
22 ( 2 squared )  is four. ( 2x2=4 ).
24  ( Two to the fourth power ) is sixteen. ( 2x2x2x2=16 ) 
If you use a calculator to multiply large numbers, you may get the answer in scientific notation, with an exponent, or "power of ten".} 

mind, mined

Mind or mind means mental faculties, intellect, understanding, or will--
Make up your mind!
He has a good mind, but he never does any school work.

Mind is also used as a verb ( action word ), meaning to object to something--
He won't mind if we have to walk home.
They won't mind if we are late.

Mind is also an old-fashioned way of saying to watch over--
Will you mind the store while we go out for lunch?
Mind the stove; I have to answer the phone.

Mind is also an old-fashioned term for obey, or pay attention to--
Tell the children to mind the sitter.
Mind your manners!

Mined or mined ( rhymes with mind ), is the past tense of "mine", meaning to dig up out of the earth, or to dig out of something, literally or figuratively--
They mined coal here in the 1920's.
They mined for silver in Colorado.
They mined the stacks of the library, looking for interesting old books.

Mined may also be the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago  ) of "mine", meaning to hide bombs or explosives underground or underwater--
The harbor is mined; we won't be able to get out.
The field is mined; we can't cross it.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He may be out of his mind, but he claims that he mined for gold right here in town."

Note--"mind" may be a noun ( thing or idea ), with a singular or a plural form--
He won't make up his mind.
He is of two minds on the subject.
"Mind" may also be a verb ( action word )--
I mind the store, you mind the store, he minds the store, we are all minding the store.
Yesterday we minded the store.
Tomorrow we will mind the store.
Note # 2--"mine" may be a noun ( thing or idea )--
"In a canyon, in a cavern, excavating for am mine..."
"Mine" may also be a verb ( action word )--
I mine for gold, you mine for gold, he mines for gold, we are all mining for gold.
Yesterday we mined for gold. Tomorrow we will mine for gold again.
Not to be confused with "mine", a possessive  pronoun meaning belonging to me--
Hey! That sandwich is mine!
That is yours, this is mine.
Here are yours, mine, and ours.

rude, rued, rood

Rude or rude means impolite, discourteous, or socially offensive--
There's no need to be rude!
He was rude to her family, and he won't apologize.

Rude may also mean rough or harsh, literally or figuratively--
He was rude in manner and uncouth in speech, but the people idolized him.
His rude clothing and awkward speech made him a target for bullies.

Rued or rued ( rhymes with rude ) is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "rue", meaning to regret or repent--
He quit his job impulsively, and just as quickly rued his decision.
He often rued the day that he rented the apartment, with its noisy neighbors and unreliable plumbing.

Rood or rood ( rhymes with rude ) is an old-fashioned word for a religious cross or crucifix--
The rood at the top of the church needs repair.
The old church, with its carved rood, is now a historic attraction.
Rood is also a unit of measurement--
The old house sat on a rood of land.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He rued the day that he hired the rude carpenter to work on the old rood."

Note-"rue" may be a verb ( action word ), meaning to regret or repent--
I rue the day, he rues the day, we all rue the day.
Yesterday we rued the day.
We are ruing the day.
"Rue" may also be a noun ( thing or idea ), meaning repentance or regret--
He felt rue when he thought of his home.
Note # 2--Rue is also an herb, sometimes used in cooking or perfume--
'There's rue for you; and here's some for me..."
Not to be confused with "roo" or "'roo", an informal word meaning kangaroo--
There's a roo in the garden, munching on the shrubbery.

handsome, hand some, hansom

Handsome or handsome ( one word ) means good-looking, said of a male, or occasionally of a thing--
"It was a brown-eyed handsome man."
She thinks he's handsome, but we think he's funny-looking.
It's a handsome old piece of furniture.
Handsome is an old-fashioned term for well-done or graceful--
He took a handsome bow when he heard the applause.

Hand some or hand some ( two words, rhymes with handsome ) means to give or pass ( hand ) a quantity ( some ) of something--
Hand some of these cookies to your cousin.
Hand some of these ads to the people in the parking lot.

Hansom or hansom ( almost rhymes with handsome) is the name of an old-fashioned horse and carriage, named for its inventor and used as a taxi, with two wheels and one horse, the driver seated on top, behind the carriage--
They tired of walking, and looked for a hansom cab.
Sherlock Holmes got around London in a hansom cab.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Would you help us to hand some of the luggage to the handsome driver of this hansom cab?"

for most, foremost

For most or for most ( two words ) means suiting the purposes of a majority, or of the greatest number or quantity--
This is the best product for most household uses.
For most may also mean with regard or respect to a majority--
For most people, losing things is a fact of life.

Foremost or foremost ( one word ) means first in order of rank or order; the best known or respected--
He is the world's foremost authority on the subject.
She is one of the foremost technical specialists.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"For most viewers, a recommendation by the foremost authority is very convincing."

Note-- "four most" ( two words )  means 4 objects, places, or persons with the majority or greatest quantity--
That is one of his four most favorite movies.
The four most popular candidates will run in the November election.

disgust, discussed

Disgust or disgust means to cause aversion or repugnance, or to cause nausea through shocking or offensive images, ideas, or behavior--
He likes to shock or disgust people with his weird philosophy.
This movie may disgust you.

Disgust may also be a noun ( thing or idea ), meaning a strong feeling of aversion or repugnance--
He looked at the mess with disgust.
He couldn't hide the disgust he felt when he heard what they had done.

Discussed or discussed ( rhymes with disgust ) is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "discuss", meaning to talk or argue about--
They discussed it until quitting time, but were no closer to a solution.
We discussed every possible objection, and then agreed on the final proposal.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The violent film caused disgust, and was much discussed in the press."

Note- "disgust" may be used as a verb--
I disgust them; you disgust them; he disgusts them; we are all disgusting.
They were disgusted.
When "disgust" is used as a noun ( thing or idea ), it does not have or need a plural--
She felt some disgust.
He felt much disgust.