ARTICLE - Words that sound alike

English spelling can be tricky in many ways. Homophones – words that sound the same, yet have a different English spelling – are a good source of frustration for people who are just learning the basics of English spelling, and even for people who are fluent and advanced.

Many commonly misspelled words are homophones. It’s not surprising that these words are confusing, as they sound the same.

A good way to remember which is which is by making up a mnemonic device for each pair. Here is a list of some of the most commonly misspelled words that are homophones. We took the liberty of adding some of our own mnemonic devices for them, we hope it will help your English spelling!

- Principal vs. Principle:
A 'principal' is the head of a school. A 'principle' is something you would insist on. When you’re in school, the principal is not your pal.

- To, Two, or Too:
'To' is a preposition. 'Two' is the number following one. 'Too' means also.

- Foreword vs. Forward:
A 'foreword' is the introduction to a book. 'Forward' is a direction. Fore is similar to before, and so it comes before the book.

- Knight vs. Night:
A 'knight' is a man who served his sovereign or lord as a mounted soldier in armor. 'Night' is what happens when the day is over. The K is shaped a little like a knight holding two swords.

- Bald vs. Bawled:
'Bald' means hairless. 'Bawled' means yelled, or cried.

- Mail vs. Male:
'Mail' is what you receive in the post. 'Male' is a gender (men.)

- Dear vs. Deer:
'Dear' is regarded with deep affection. A 'deer' is an animal, like Bambi. A deer can be dear to you, but a dear cannot be deer to you. Because that just doesn’t make much sense, does it?

- Eight vs. Ate:
'Eight' is the number following seven. 'Ate' is something you would do for lunch. You can remember that ATE has the same letters of EAT, moved around.

- Made vs. Maid:
'Made' is the past tense of make. A 'maid' is a person who does domestic work. It’s spelled like ‘aid’, because it helps!

- Flour vs. Flower:
A 'flower' grows in your garden. 'Flour' is more commonly found in the kitchen, and is used to make baked goods.

http://www.grammar.net/ginger_homophones