Mineralman's Visual Guide to Commonly Misspelled Words: Issue 1

[MineralMan]

Cannon/Canon is the first pair of commonly misspelled words in this series. A homophone pair, like many such pairs, it's a commonplace in the annals of Misspelling History. As the first post in this series, you'll see visual cues to help you understand the difference between the words. Watch for new Issues of this popular series on DU, your favorite Democratic Forum:

Canon






Cannon

[CatWoman]

1. sometimes I feel like I could just strangle you

:)

damn English nanny!!!

:)

[MineralMan]

2. Well, that's quite a natural feeling.

As long as you don't act on it, it's all good. :hug:

[CatWoman]

16. ....

:hug:

[Snotcicles]

46. Why didn't you start with the letter B? Wouldn't they let you show a pic of the other Boehner? nt

[Karenina]

55. PLEASE REC THIS THREAD!!! What an idea!

Kudos to you MM, I LOVE IT!!! :bounce:

[dipsydoodle]

73. Then when we get to W

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW0M2zEx-7g

[Karenina]

75. PLEASE EVERYONE REC THIS THREAD!!! BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Would that German pronunciation rules held sway in Amiland! This entire issue could have been avoided!

The SECOND VOWEL is determinant IE= EEEEE EI= IIIII :evilgrin:

[Major Hogwash]

77. Okay I did!!

But, I don't know what talking about German has to do with spelling.
I'm not sure it is germane to the issue at hand.
I may be wrong, and probably am, but who knows.

[Karenina]

85. Oh, my dear Major, it's just all about language

and what fun it is decoding it and how many wonderful experiences one can have simply dipping a toe into the ocean of communication!

English spelling is a chameleon, difficult for many native speakers. In German, what you hear is how it's spelled.

[Scuba]

49. Cut him some slack. He's gently educating the rest of us.

[kpete]

50. he does that to you too?

oh my...

:)

[CatWoman]

61. LOL!!

:)

[gkhouston]

69. Go with the feeling. Please. n/t

[dionysus]

3. i can't wait for the loser\looser issue.

:)

[MineralMan]

5. I will certainly add that pair to the list.

A future issue will illustrate that popular pair.

[enlightenment]

7. I would like to see visual elucidation of rein and reign.

For starters.

Kudos, MM, for braving the wrath of those who insist that spelling doesn't matter.

[MineralMan]

21. Oh, yes! I'll add that to the list as well.

Another challenging pair, but eminently doable. However, it's really a trio, if you include "rain."

[polmaven]

43. And may I assume

that you will be undertaking the infamous trio of - their, there and they're? That one drives me absotively karazee! - Oh, I mean absolutely crazy! :crazy:

[Renew Deal]

51. That one drives me nuts

I don't know things got so bad. And it's everywhere, even DU!

[Cirque du So-What]

4. This could be a major undertaking on your part

but if it causes just one person to consider homophone abuse, it'll be worth it. I hope those prone to such mistakes write down your list - preferably on something unlikely to get discarded, such as the good stationery - instead of freezing stationary in a panic over the possibility of using the wrong spelling of a word.

[MineralMan]

6. The stationery/stationary pair is scheduled for an upcoming

issue, to be sure.

[Fumesucker]

8. There, their, they're..

Have fun with that one.. ;)

:hi:

[MineralMan]

10. Thank you for that intriguing suggestion.

As it happens, I already have the images selected, and that trio will be featured in Issue 2. It was indeed a challenge.

[Bragi]

9. Any effect affected? Or affect effected? /nt

[MineralMan]

11. A very challenging pair.

I'll add that to the list, as well.

[Bragi]

13. I've confused them for 61 years and counting

So if you come up with an explanation that prevents me from doing this again, then I will personally nominate you for a Noble prize in, ah, neural science.

[MineralMan]

15. It's complicated by multiple meanings for "affect," too.

I'll do some research.

[MilesColtrane]

45. Would that prize be as noble as a Nobel?

For surely the Nobel committee puts up with no bull in its selection process.

[Bragi]

48. Isn't that always the way?

Why are we most inclined to mess up spelling or grammar in any discussion of spelling or grammar?

[MilesColtrane]

56. I don't no.

:shrug:

:evilgrin:

[DevonRex]

65. That's the pair I'd like to see drilled home. Drives me insane

to see them misused.

[Recursion]

34. Effect/affect are simpler than people make them

Effect (as a noun): result
Effect (as a verb): cause

Affect (as a noun): belonging, also emotional reaction (in both cases, something "proper" to you)
Affect (as a verb): pretend

Tons of Navy tech manuals say eg "if the flange bars are cracked, affect repairs..." which absolutely drives me crazy, since that means "pretend to fix them"

[nc4bo]

58. So a chronic disease can not only effect a person's quality of life

but can also affect their emotional well being?

The proper use of the words affect and effect definitely gives me a case of the hives.

:shrug:

[eppur_se_muova]

78. Um ... affect in both cases.

"Effect" as a verb means to bring about or cause to occur, e.g. to effect a change in their quality of life.

I think "cause" is too short an explanation.

[eppur_se_muova]

80. Um ... that's "personal effects", not affects.

"Affect" as a noun is more of a psychological term -- outward expression or behavior.

But LOL on the Navy encouraging slackage. ;)

[Recursion]

84. Yeah, I'm revoking my own grammar nazi card now

Affect as a noun is an emotional reaction or a change.

[Javaman]

54. Firing the canon for affect!

:rofl:

[Bonobo]

12. I'd like to add to that!

LIGHTNING

LIGHTENING

[MineralMan]

14. Nicely played, although I believe I would have used

Michael Jackson as the second illustration.

[Bonobo]

20. Yes, I regret that as well. nt

[gkhouston]

31. Too obvious, although a really bad celebrity hair-dye job would be good, too. n/t

[dmallind]

17. on DU I see to/too and lose/loose most, although during the Toyota Witchhunt it was brake/break nt

[MineralMan]

23. Break and Brake is coming soon.

Thanks!

[eppur_se_muova]

81. I've noticed that one a LOT lately, after never seeing it for years.

Makes you wonder.

[Sal Minella]

18. Incidence / incidents

News reporters are using "incidences," which is absurd.

[MineralMan]

26. Many people use incidences, I'm afraid.

Worse, there's a radio ad for some burglar alarm company running in my area, where the word "burglarer" is used. I love that.

[Enrique]

19. you forgot

Dyan Cannon. NOT Diane.

[MineralMan]

27. Ah. No gentleman of my age can ever forget that Cannon.

[Bluenorthwest]

41. She's a huge Born Againer

So stick to the pic, the reality is a droning, dogmatic, plastic construct.

[MineralMan]

62. Yes. Well, since the likelihood of a personal meeting is

vanishingly small, the photo will do. In any case, those were more youthful fantasies, anyhow.

[arikara]

71. Don't you mean hugh?

n/t

[gkhouston]

35. LOL. I was afraid it was going to be...

[woo me with science]

22. Tenets/tenants nt

[woo me with science]

24. amendmENT, not amendmant nt

[Renew Deal]

52. Principle, Principal

:dunce:

[madinmaryland]

32. What about tenons.

[woo me with science]

60. Ooh, very nicely done. nt

[Frisbee]

25. Their are a lot of people who are tired...

of the spelling police and there not going to be two happy about this. In fact, I to am in they're corner. Maybe that will give you a thing or too two think about!

[MineralMan]

29. LOL!

Very nice, indeed.

I'm knot going two bee Abel to beet that won.

[Bluenorthwest]

53. Just fyi, I personally do not check spelling on DU, as this is not

work, but play, and also I put words down using a couple of different methods, including voice commands. Others are in the same boat. For writing that is important (sorry DU) I often dictate, and occasionally that has happened here as well. In the grand picture of ability, work, play and pages, spelling is way at the bottom of my list of concerns, hope that is not too radical for you.
I recently had the good fortune to examine close up the first draft of an iconic American novel from the 60's. This book is taught in schools, it is a classic, the author is subject of biographies in print, on film, on radio, there are statues to him, buildings named after him. The first draft was filled with spelling mistakes of the most startling kind. Prolific errors, mistakes, perhaps even glaring gaps in spelling ability. Still, the great genius of the work is apparent, that first draft sold and became one of the most important books of the time, and the author one of the great voices of his generation. Lots of really bad spelling did not seem to hinder the process all that much. Several million copies sold, and still selling. So a poorly spelled novel becomes central to the culture, and yet a perfect speller tends to go uncelebrated and unsung.
For those who need to hang a hat on that hook, spelling lessons are probably a good idea. I have a full head of hair, so I rarely need a hat at all.

[gkhouston]

36. That gave me a headache. Even my 4th grader does better than that. n/t

[hifiguy]

28. MineralMan, if you can prevent one person from

confusing "there" "they're" and "their" you will have performed services to DU above and beyond the call. :toast:

[MineralMan]

30. Yes, that is Issue 2.

Coming right up, by popular demand.

[enough]

33. Two vintage gems from DU: "a shot across the bough" and "some dough-eyed kid" (nt)

[gkhouston]

37. "towing the line". Ugh. n/t

[Karenina]

64. Hmmm... there's a good visual!

:think:

[ellenfl]

87. yes! and towhead . . . not toehead. eom

[woo me with science]

68. "Dough-eyed kid" is going to give me nightmares now.

No eyes...Just little blobs of dough. :scared:

[Crabby Appleton]

38. Phase/faze nt

[Aerows]

39. Loose vs. Lose

Mute vs. Moot (Mute point drives me absolutely crazy)

Definitely vs. Defiantly (I see that all of the time in bad fan fiction)

Fan fiction is terrible garden of words being used incorrectly.

[nc4bo]

40. I don't know weather or not to take this thread seriously. Series!1

DU is crazy funny at times. One never noes when the spelling police will knock on your door.

[alpizzy]

42. piqued vs. peaked vs. peeked n/t

[MineralMan]

63. Most excellent! To the list they go.

You'll have no reason to be piqued, once you have peeked at that issue. This trend hasn't peaked yet.

[JHB]

44. Well, there is room for overlap:

[NV Whino]

47. These are a little more advanced

compliment and complement

I compliment you on your choice of cheese, which perfectly complements the wine.


And while you're at it, throw in "that" and "which," and possibly "that" vs "who."


Speaking of things related to who—who's and whose.

[TheCowsCameHome]

57. For once you've done something write.

:rofl:

[Nye Bevan]

59. I all ways run everything threw my spell check before posting (nt)

[InkAddict]

66. Used copies available for edification:

http://www.amazon.com/Ear-Human-Handbook-Homophones-Confusions/dp/0836212592

The Ear is Human - A Guide of Homophones and Other Confusions by James Kilpatrick

[surrealAmerican]

67. If you were to work alphabetically ...

... you should have started with advise and advice. I can't count the number of times I've seen those misused on the internet (and occasionally in print).

[Maru Kitteh]

70. K & R. Love it.

[dipsydoodle]

72. Here it is in D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjA5faZF1A8

Over 90.000.000 hits now - oh my !

[Karenina]

74. Tears roll down my cheeks! Thanx for posting that!

HOT DAMN was that INSPIRING!!! ENERGIZING!!! PERFECT IN EXECUTION!!! That kid is a Glenn Gould master of interpretation! (Think Goldberg Variations). :wow:

[dipsydoodle]

76. The joke is

that Funtwo copied that from Jerry C and the original has only got 12,000,000 hits. :shrug: In the early comments years ago people used to point out the bits which Funtwo missed out - sad bastards. :)
This is the original http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by8oyJztzwo&playnext=1&list=PL68739B7CDDB9FCCF

Funtwo's Vivaldi is pretty cool : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxplDa3M5Io

Korean kids are quite amazing : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNHLywCfnHI as is , I believe , your own Mike Gabbard, Hawaii State Senator : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-tRac0x8AI

Glad you appreciate good music. :hi:

[Karenina]

79. I, like the OP, am/was an oboist.

We're quite a strange lot!! ;-)

[dipsydoodle]

83. Off topic

Summer of 2001, when Friends Reunited hadn't been running long , I decided to round up a few friends and see how many of our school year of 200 we could find using an arbitary leaving year of 1960. One of the girls we found mentioned seeing one of the others on a train platform here in London back in the mid sixties carrying an oboe. I found her through a dance friend who plays pro violin using her Musician's Union book. There are only two females here who play oboe professionally in that book and it was easy to spot which one she was from her given name.

It took us and others as they joined in 3 months to find 120 or so of whom about 110 were still alive. Then we had a few hugely fun reunions.

[Liberal_in_LA]

82. I learned something today. Thanks

[Karenina]

86. . .

[nadine_mn]

88. love it! Now tackle Your vs You're

Oh it drives me crazy, I am sure much like the their/there/they're

Loose/lose

choose/chose


Gah... just reading the other comments - there are so many editions waiting to be published!