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."