Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Errors

Here are a few homophone (sound-alike) and look-alike errors that I've noticed
recently.

The export company was found guilty of flaunting [proudly displaying??] tax laws.
Should be
The export company was found guilty of flouting [willfully disobeying] tax laws.

Acme Services has a full compliment [praise??] of print, finishing, and related services.
Should be
Acme Services has a full complement [array or supply] of print, finishing, and related services.

The nation's strict hierarchy mitigates [softens??] against free expression.
Should be
The nation's strict hierarchy militates [has weight or effect in a conflict] against free expression.

That’s a mute [soundless??] point.
Should be
That’s a moot point.
[Moot (noun) means a group that deliberates. There is a verb “moot,” and it means to bring up for debate.]

Place the butter in the hallowed-out [made holy??] center of the flour.
Should be
Place the butter in the hollowed-out center of the flour.

Your neighbors are leaching [percolating out??] off your wireless Internet connection.
Should be
Your neighbors are leeching [sucking from a host, as a leech does] off your wireless Internet connection.

The therapist tried to illicit [unlawful??] the reasons for the client’s anger.
Should be
The therapist tried to elicit the reasons for the client’s anger.

1 comment:

Julie said...

I also frequently see reigns vs. reins and straight vs. strait.