Commonly confused sound-alike words: Vol. S
Homonyms and close visual resemblances can confound readers and writers. Here’s help in keeping them straight (not strait) at first sight (not site).
My cumulative list of “words commonly confused” continues with 10 that begin with the letter S. The confusion relates to spelling or meaning.
1. sight/site
Both words function as nouns and verbs.
As a noun, sight is a thing seen.
Example: The Pont du Garde is an astounding sight.
As a verb, sight means “catch sight of something or to take aim.”
Example: The lookout sighted land at dawn.
Example: The surveyor sighted the compass.
Site is from Latin situs: place, position. The principal meaning for Internet users is probably “a Web address.”
Example: Daily Writing Tips is one of my favorite sites.
The context in which site is frequently confused with sight regards physical location.
Examples of correct usage:
2. stationary/stationery
Stationary is an adjective meaning fixed or unmoving.
Example: All of his traffic violations involved stationary vehicles.
Stationery is a noun meaning writing and office materials, especially writing paper and envelopes.
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