Business Communication Skills. Infinite Possibilities. Endless Opportunities.

HORRIBLE HOMOPHONES

Words that sound alike, but are spelled differently can be quite perplexing for some. Use this cheat sheet to help present yourself and your business in a professional manner.

Allowed  

To  let  something  happen.  

Aloud  

Audibly  or  loudly.  

Coarse  

Rough  and  unrefined.  

Course  

A  program  or  period  of  

9me.  

Yes,  you  are  allowed  to  do  that.  

Can  you  please  read  it  aloud?  

The  bricks  are  coarse,  not  smooth.  

Joan  took  a  course  in  French.  

Complement  

Comple9ng  part;  full  quan9ty.  

Compliment  

Statement  of  praise.  

Council  

Commi>ee  or  

assembly.  

Counsel  

Somebody  who  gives  advice.  

A  good  complement  to  the  meal.  

Be@y  paid  him  a  

compliment.  

Bob  works  at  the  local  council.  

Sue  will  counsel  you  on  this.  

Flea  

A  small  leaping  insect.  

Flee  

Run  away;  disappear  quickly.  

Grate  

Make  small;  irritate;  rub.  

Great  

Impressive;  large;  very  good.  

The  bird  ate  the  flea.  

Take  the  truck  and  

flee.  

Don’t  grate  the  gear  box.  

Have  a  great  day!  

Know  

Hold  informa9on;  be  certain.  

No  

Nega9ve  response  or  statement.  

Peace  

Harmony;  calm;  

tranquility.  

Piece  

Por9on,  item  or  part.  

Do  you  know  the  answer?  

No,  John  can’t  do  that.  

Anne  wishes  for  world  peace.  

I  found  the  last  puzzle  piece.  

Prac8ce  

Work  of  professional  person.  

Prac8se  

Repeat  to  become  be>er.  

Principal  

Most  important  person.  

Principle  

Basic  truth,  ethical  

standard.  

Lucy  works  at  the  law  pracNce.  

I  need  to  pracNse  my  tennis  skills.  

He’s  the  new  school  principal.  

It’s  a  basic  principle  of  life.  

Sight  

Act  or  range  of  seeing.  

Site  

Place;  loca9on;  posi9on.  

Threw  

Past  tense  of  throw.  

Through  

Movement  to  one  end  or  past  it.  

My  sight  isn’t  what  it  used  to  be.  

Don’t  enter  the  work  site.  

Zoe  threw  the  ball  to  Dave.  

Go  through  the  tunnel.  

Waive  

Not  enforce;  make  

available  

Wave  

Mo9on;  surge  in  ac9vity  

Wear  

To  have  something  

on.  

Where  

A  place  someone  or  thing  is  at.  

Ben  decided  to  waive  the  fee  for  her.  

The  heat  wave  lasted  for  days.  

I  don’t  know  what  to  wear.  

Where  is  your  house?