Remember the limitations of spellcheck systems.
They can’t spot misused homophones.
Below are some of the words most commonly confused:
- affect (verb): to influence, to move emotionally;
- effect (verb): to cause something to occur. (Unless you are writing about psychology, the noun you want is almost always effect: result)
- aural: relating to the sense of hearing; oral: relating to the mouth or speech
- chord: group of notes sounded simultaneously
- cord: thin rope
- council: an assembly; counsel: advice, guidance
- to complement: to add to or complete; to compliment: to express admiration
- currant: dried seedless grape; current: relating to the present
- discreet: tactful; discrete: separate or distinct
- licence: noun; license: verb
- practice: noun; practise: verb
- principal: most important; principle: a standard or rule of conduct
- sight: the power of seeing; site: land with something on it; cite: to quote
- stationary: still; stationery: paper, etc
- storey: floor or level of a building; story: tale
- yoke: collar for attaching draught animals; yolk: yellow part of an egg.
- Ampersands (&): Avoid the use of “&” for “and” except in brand names or recognised abbreviations such as R&B.
Although spellcheck systems have their flaws, you should still use them. Grammarly is free and works with WordPress and Microsoft Word.
