Confusing Words

Is it death throes or death throws? The correct spelling is death throes. As with many other phrases and words that sound the same, you can’t rely on your spellchecker for this one. The word “throe” comes from an Old English word for suffering or a violent spasm. While it sounds like you are “throwing”…

Is it hazard a guess, has at a guess, or hazzard a guess? The correct expression is hazard a guess. Hazard comes from the Old French hasard, meaning a game of chance or a risk. The version with two Zs, hazzard”, is a common misspelling (likely influenced by the Dukes of Hazzard!). Why is hazard…

Is it criteria or criterion? Use criterion when referring to one single rule or standard. Use criteria when you have two or more. While many people use “criteria” as a catch-all singular word, keeping them distinct is a hallmark of professional writing. How to use criteria and criterion correctly You don’t often come across the…

Is it bated breath or baited breath? The correct spelling is bated breath. “Bated” is a shortened form of “abated,” meaning to lessen or restrain. When you wait with bated breath, you are literally holding your breath in suspense. Baited refers to food used to catch prey. What does bated breath mean? It means to…

Is it a moot point or a mute point? The correct phrase is moot point. People often say “mute” because they think the point is “silent” or “dead.” However, the word moot actually comes from legal history, referring to a “moot court” where cases are debated for practice because they have no real-world impact. When…

Is it bare your soul or bear your soul? The correct phrase is bare your soul. To “bare” something means to uncover it or reveal it to view. While to “bear” means to carry a heavy load, “bare” is about opening up and showing what is hidden. Bare vs. Bear Yes, a bear is a…

When do you use may be or maybe? These two parts of speech often cause confusion, but it’s quite easy to get them right. The key is to remember that maybe is an adverb and may be is a verb phrase. It uses a modal verb plus a verb. As long as you know when…

Being a writer is exciting and fun. But we have so many confused words to work with to express our ideas and imagination. We have such a vast vocabulary to play with. However, certain words that sound alike or have similar meanings can cause problems for even the best writers. One of the most common…

Is it blond or blonde? The answer is simple, but only if you know one key rule. Traditionally, the spelling depends on the gender of the person you are describing. Use blond (without the ‘e’) for males and blonde (with the ‘e’) for females. While the distinction is fading in American English, it remains a…