Commonly Confused Words Part 3
It's time for another edition of Commonly Confused Words!
Prophecy vs. Prophesy
I see these two confused in New Age and Christian books, as well as paranormal fiction.
Prophecy: Pronounced proffa-SEE, prophecy is a noun. It's the message a prophet declares.
Nancy heard the prophecy about the apocalypse from the oracle in the woods.
Prophesy: Pronounced proffa-SYE, prophesy is a verb. It's the act of giving a prophecy.
In the middle of the woods, Nancy heard the oracle prophesy at the top of her lungs.
Callus vs. Callous
Callus: Noun. Hardened or thickened area on the skin.
The farmer had a callus on his thumb.
Callous: Adjective. Indifferent, hardened, unsympathetic.
The teacher's treatment of the grieving student was callous.
Advise vs. Advice
Advise: Verb. To offer counsel. (ad-VIZE)
"I advise you to stay silent", said the lawyer.
Advice: Noun. Opinion or recommendation. (ad-VICE)
You want my advice? Walk away.
Feel vs. Fill
Feel: Verb. Awareness of touch. To have a sensation.
I feel ill.
Fill: Verb. To make full.
Allow me to fill your glass with water.
Site vs. Sight
Site: Noun. Position or location. Or, short for website.
The construction site is on the north end of the campus.
Sight: Noun. Vision. Act of seeing.
Boy, are you a sight for sore eyes!
Horde vs. Hoard
Horde: Noun. A group or swarm.
Stella was chased by a horde of bees.
Hoard: Verb. To stockpile.
What a packrat! She hoards every piece of junk she can find.
Hoard: Noun. A guarded supply.
The dragon guarded her hoard of jewels.
Secrete vs. Secret
Secrete: Verb. To discharge by secretion. (sa-KREET)
The pimple secreted yellow pus.
Secrete: Verb. To conceal. (sa-KREET)
The dog secreted dozens of bones in the back yard.
Secret: Noun. A mystery. Something hidden. (SEE-krit)
Tom has a secret and he's not telling.
Secret: Adjective. Secluded, sheltered, withdrawn. Done without the knowledge of others. (SEE-krit)
The superhero lived in a secret location.
i.e. vs. e.g.
i.e. Latin id est. That is. (Interchangeable with in other words).
The lead singer of Iron Maiden is a gorgeous renaissance man (i.e., Bruce Dickinson).
e.g. Latin exempli gratia. For example.
I love 80s metal bands (e.g. Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Judas Priest).
-- Janet
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