Most publishing software includes a way to check your document for spelling mistakes. However, relying too heavily on spellcheck to find each and every error in your documents may allow some to remain undetected. While it is an extremely useful tool, it is not foolproof. It is always a good practice to scan the text before submitting or printing. It’s been said that the author never proofs their work because they read what they thought they wrote. Thus, having a second pair of eyes is helpful.
Besides typos, your document may also include words that are spelled correctly but used incorrectly. Microsoft Word has a feature that alerts you to issues with misused words by underlining the questionable text in blue. But just like the childhood game of sharks and minnows, some of these errors sneak by as well.
Homophones are just one example of when this happens, hence the reason for the clever post title. Homophones are two or more words that have the same pronunciation but different meaning and spelling–not to be confused with homonyms or homographs. Here is a chart to help distinguish between the three:
Common homophones include:
- There, their, they’re
- To, two, too
- Compliment, complement
- Whole, hole
The list is quite long. So how can you prevent using a homophone incorrectly? Possessing the ability to spot a word that has multiple spellings is a good start. Next, being able to differentiate between them is key. If the meaning of a certain word on the page goes beyond your scope of knowledge, consulting a dictionary for the definition will hopefully clear up any confusion. You could also choose a completely different word altogether while still maintaining the integrity of the sentence.
As previously mentioned, spellcheck is a powerful tool that catches mistakes very efficiently. But as with so many rules in life, there are always exceptions. Take time to look over what you’ve written or have a trusted acquaintance take a peak. See what I did there? This will ensure accurate and clear writing. Autocorrect on the other hand is essential for turning normal, everyday texts into hilarious works of art. Keep up the good work!
JD Proofing 