array, a ray, arrayed, a raid, arrays, a raise

Array or array means a group or arrangement of things or people, as troops in an army, literally or figuratively--
The people lined up to admire the array of troops and armaments.
He marshaled an array of of arguments, but she was not persuaded.

Array also means to group or arrange things in order, or to spread them out to be viewed--
He is trying to array his toy soldiers in realistic battle formation.
We have tried to array the food in order of popularity.

Array also means to deck out or costume with--
They are making flower necklaces to array themselves for the festival.
She feels a need to array herself in the latest fashion, no matter how bizarre.

A ray or a ray ( rhymes with array ) means one ( a ) beam of light, or a line or beam radiating as from a point--
A ray of light was shining through a crack in the wall.
A ray of sunshine is peeking through the clouds.

A ray may also be a kind of wide flat fish--
You can see a ray at the aquarium.
He caught a ray, but he threw it back.

Arrayed or arrayed is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "array", meaning to arrange in order--
The troops were arrayed according to rank and specialty.
The students will be arrayed according to height, so we'll be able to see them all.

A raid or a raid ( rhymes with arrayed ) means one ( a ) sudden attack--
They planned a raid for midnight, and had hours to wait.
Let's organize a raid on the refrigerator.

Arrays or arrays is the plural of "array", meaning a group or arrangement of persons or things--
The parade was made up of several arrays of soldiers and marines.
The arrays of goods in the shops overwhelmed the visitors at first.

Arrays or arrays is also the third person singular ( he, she, it ) form of "array", meaning to arrange in order--
He arrays his toys like the goods in a store.
Before starting a job, he arrays his tools as if for battle.

A raise or a raise ( rhymes with arrays ) means one ( a ) heightening or elevation ( with "a", the only common use would be an elevation of price or cost ), literally or figuratively--
The landlord says there will be a raise in the cost of heat.
He hoped the coffee and food would effect a raise in their spirits.

A raise also commonly  means an increase in salary--
He asked his boss for a raise.
We can't afford to move until one of us gets a raise.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The array of spectators had gathered to watch a ray of sun beaming through the crack in the stone."
"He meant to array the stones so that a ray of sun would hit them each hour, like a sundial."
"They arrayed themselves in battle formation, in preparation for a raid on the enemy stronghold."
"The various arrays of food and drinks were not as welcome as a raise would have been."
"If he arrays his accomplishments in front of the boss, he may get a raise."

Note--"rays" is the plural of "ray"--
The rays of light glowed with the sunset.
The plural of "raise" is "raises"--
The company will not be giving any raises this year.
"Raises" is also the third person singular ( he, she, it ) form of "raise", meaning to heighten or elevate, grow or cultivate--
He raises corn in the backyard.

expensive, expansive

Expensive or expensive means costly, describing something that costs a lot of money--
The model we looked at yesterday is too expensive. This one is cheaper.
Are they taking an expensive vacation, or an inexpensive one?

Expansive or expansive describes a state of emotional openness, generosity, and lack of restraint--
His expansive characteristics are well withing the normal range.
When he drinks he becomes expansive, and sometimes gives away all of his money.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"His expansive episodes became so expensive that his family had him committed for observation."

Note--"expense" is a noun ( thing or idea ), meaning cost, or amount of money spent--
Just get the best one; spare no expense.
He is filling out the expense account report now.
The plural of "expense" is "expenses", meaning all of the money spent for a particular purpose--
Our expenses for this month are high.
His salary does not cover his living expenses.
"Expanse" means an uninterrupted stretch of something--
It was almost impossible to cross the vast expanse of desert in a single day.
Note # 2--"extensive" means large in scope, wide or broad--
The building will need extensive repairs.
He has an extensive knowledge of modern literature.

climb, clime

Climb or climb means to move up or ascend, or to get to the top of--
He always wanted to climb a mountain.
"And when it's twelve o'clock, we climb the stairs..."
He hopes to climb the ladder of success.

Clime or clime ( rhymes with climb ) is an old-fashioned term for a region of the Earth,as defined by its weather--
They always dreamed of moving to a sunny clime, with warm weather all year.
Clime or clime is also an old-fashioned term for climate or weather, as experienced in a particular region or area--
In winter he liked to think of a tropical clime he had once visited.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He envisioned a rapid climb to the top of his profession, then retirement in a sunny clime."

Note--"climate" means the weather or weather patterns in a particular  region--
The weather report includes the temperature in regions where the climate is very different than it is here.
Very few people live here, because of the harsh climate.
Not to be confused with " climb it", meaning to get to the top of something--
There's a steep hill up ahead. Do you think you can climb it?

side, sighed

Side or side means one of the surfaces of a building, box, or some other object--
 Look on the other side of the house.
The hypotenuse is the long side of the triangle.
Side may mean one of the surfaces of a flat object, such as a sheet of paper--
Now turn the paper over and write on the other side.
Side or side may mean one of the halves of something, literally or figuratively--
He has a pain in his side.
He has a pain in his left side.
Is he on the conservative side or the liberal side?
Which side are you on?

Sighed or sighed ( rhymes with side ) is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "sigh", meaning to let out a breath audibly, as in resignation or sorrow--
She sighed when she heard the news, but then went on with what she was doing.
He sighed in resignation, then set out to finish the job.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He sighed as he thought about painting the other side of the fence."

session, cession

Session or session means a series of meetings or group functions--
The current session of congress began in January.
The musicians stayed on after hours for a jam session.

Cession or cession ( rhymes with session ) means an act or instance of giving something up or yielding something, as in a treaty--
The new treaty calls for the cession of some territory.
They'll never agree to the cession any of their land or territory.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"This session of the treaty negotiations will be about the cession of the disputed territory."

Note--"cession" is a noun ( thing or idea ) form of "cede", meaning to give up--
The other side is demanding that we cede this territory.
Not to be confused with "concede", meaning to give up a point, or to agree that the other party is right about a disputed point--
They may argue all day, and neither will concede the point.
Note # 2--"cessation" is a noun ( thing or idea ),, a form of "cease", meaning to stop. Cessation means an end or stop--
They agree to a cessation of hostilities, and to the terms of the treaty.

prince, prints

Prince or prince means a royal male, usually the son or grandson of the king and queen--
The British have a new prince.
The prince and princess lived happily ever after.
Prince may mean, informally, an outstanding person--
His co-workers considered him a  prince among men.
Thanks, you're a prince.
Prince may be used as a title or honorific--
They love to watch the play about Prince Hal.
Prince Charles will be Charles III one day.

Prints or prints ( rhymes with prince ) may be the third person singular ( he, she, it ) form of "print", meaning to make an image  through electronic, mechanical, or artistic means--
He rarely prints anything, so we won't need the printer.
He prints handbills on an old-fashioned printing press.
She made those prints by carving a potato.
Prints may also be the third person singular ( he, she, it ) form of "print", meaning to write in block letters ( like type ), instead of using handwriting or cursive--
He always prints because his handwriting is so hard to decipher.
She prints in big block letters, like a third grader.
Prints may also be the plural ( more than one ) form of "print", meaning an image made by electronic, mechanical or artistic means--
These prints are overexposed.
He is having some prints framed for the living room wall.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Do you think these prints of the new prince are good enough to publish?"

Note--"print" may be a verb ( action word )--
I print, you print, he prints, we are all printing.
We printed that yesterday.
"Print" may also be a noun ( thing or idea )--
This print is good, but those prints are bad.
Note # 2--"prince" is a noun ( thing or idea )--
The new prince is a cousin to the other princes.
One prince, two princes, one princess, two princesses.

low, lo

Low or low means situated close to a floor, the ground, or the bottom of something, literally or figuratively--
It is on the low shelf in the living room.
There is a low wall around the garden.
The sun was low in the sky when they returned.
This price seems low, but I'm not sure what it usually costs.
"Buy low, sell high."
He has been feeling low since she dumped him.
They all seem to be in low spirits.

Lo or lo ( rhymes with low ) is an interjection ( an exclamation, like hey! or oh! ), meaning "look!", or "look at that!"--
I looked all over for my keys, when lo and behold, they were in my hand all along.
"And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them... and they were sore afraid."

Now that you know that, you can say--
"We looked everywhere, high and low, when lo and behold, it was right in front of us."

Note--"low" also means vocalizing, of a cow or cattle--
You can hear the cattle low from the other side of the hill.
"Low", meaning cattle making a sound, is a verb ( action word)--
It lows; it is still lowing; it lowed yesterday, too.
"The cattle are lowing the poor baby wakes..."
Note # 2--"Low" also means coarse, vulgar, or disreputable--
He has low taste in entertainment.
Note # 3--"lower" may describe something that is closer to the ground or bottom--
The price on this model is lower.
"Lower" may also mean to move something closer to the ground or bottom--
We will lower that price during our next sale.
"Lower", meaning to reduce something, or move it closer to the bottom or ground, is a verb ( action word )--
He lowers the prices every Friday.
Lower the blinds.
We are lowering all of the prices.