Common Confusibles/Memory Mnemonics

Use little tricks to keep these words straight. 1. advice (n. opinion or counsel) / advise (v. to offer advice) Be wise when you advise. 2. aid (v. or n. help) / aide (n. an assistant or helper) An aide is by your side. 3. beach / beech A beach is by the sea. A beech is a tree. 4. breath (n.) / breathe (v.) Breathe with ease. 5. capital (city that is the seat of government; material wealth, assets; first and foremost; first-rate, excellent) / capitol (building where the legislature meets) Cash is a form of capital. The capitol building has a dome. 6. cavalcade (ceremonial procession) / cavalry (mounted troops) / Calvary (hill outside Jerusalem; a great ordeal) The cavalry were valiant. 7. coarse / course We’ve lost our course. 8. compliment (praise, congratulation) / complement (complete or make up the whole) A complement completes. I like compliments. 9. desert (dry sandy place) / dessert (yummy food at end of meal) The desert is sand. A just desert is what you deserve. Strawberry shortcake is dessert. 10. discreet (prudent, careful; modest and restrained [noun is ‘discretion’]) / discrete (separate and distinct) The ‘t’ separates the ‘ee’s. 11. passed / past (no longer current, gone by, over) The ass passed me. Last year is in the past. 12. principal (main or first) / principle (basic rule or doctrine) The principal is your pal. A principle is a rule. 13. stationary (unmoving) / stationery (writing paper) A stationary object stands still. Stationery is paper.