Tag Archives: confusing words

Feet vs. feat

Posted on April 15, 2013 by

feet: plural of foot feat: a deed notable especially for courage; an act or product of skill, endurance, or ingenuity —Merriam-Webster Feet and feat are homophones, which means they sound the same but have different meanings. Feet can mean the … Continue reading →

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Should we capitalize Internet?

Posted on April 10, 2013 by

In US publications, Internet is usually capitalized. The argument is that it is a proper noun (like Rome or Richard or Ritz Crackers), and thus it should follow the capitalization rules for proper nouns and have the first letter capitalized. … Continue reading →

Posted in copy editing, style issues | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

You and I vs. you and me

Posted on March 26, 2013 by

It seems many of us are still reeling from elementary school teachers who overcorrected use of the pronoun I. How many times did you hear a knitted-sweatered, thin-lipped woman of authority say, “It’s ‘May Johnny and I go to the … Continue reading →

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Compliment vs. complement

Posted on March 19, 2013 by

  compliment (noun): an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration compliment (verb): to express esteem, respect, affection, or admiration to complement (noun): something that fills up, completes, or makes perfect complement (verb): to complete or enhance by providing something … Continue reading →

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Aisle vs. isle

Posted on March 15, 2013 by

aisle: a) a passage (as in a theater or railroad passenger car) separating sections of seats b) a passage (as in a store or warehouse) for inside traffic isle: island —Merriam-Webster These words are prime targets for errors because they … Continue reading →

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