In part three (3) of our series we shall be addressing a few pairs of words which are often used wrongly due to having apparently similar pronunciations to the average English speaker. Let us begin.
Lier , liar
While researching about this first pair, it turns out that the former (lier) is non existent but funny enough, it is commonly used erroneously. The latter denotes a person who tells lies. See the examples below.
He was a known unrepentant lier ❌
He was a known unrepentant liar
Yolk, yoke
The first of this pair refers to the yellow internal part of an egg which is surrounded by the white while yoke has no meaning similar to it in any of its variants. The examples below will she'd more light on their differences.
The pilot controlled the aircraft with the yoke ☑️
The pilot controlled the aircraft with the yolk ❌
After boiling the egg, the mother gave her child the yolk ☑️
After boiling the egg, the mother gave her child the yoke ❌
Flier, flyer
For these two words which often get people confused, one of them is actually non existent in correct or proper British English, while the other which is correct denotes either a small handbill which contains an advertisement or in other instances a person or thing that flies. Can you tell which of them it is?
The correct one is revealed in the examples below.
In order to increase sales of his products he decided to make fliers ❌
In order to increase sales of his products he decided to make flyers ☑️
He got a bonus from the airline because he was a frequent flyer ☑️
He got a bonus from the airline because he was a freuent flier ❌
Descent, Dissent
Descent denotes a downward movement such as down a slope or hill or circumstances while dissent implies holding an opinion that is at variance with or is opposed to the generally accepted one. See examples below.
The descent to the bottom of the valley was difficult ☑️
The dissent to the bottom of the valley was difficult ❌
The repressive regime silenced voices of descent ❌
The repressive regime silenced voices of dissent ☑️
Flair, Flare
Flare denotes suddeness usually with high intensity or spreading out while flair refers to the ability to do something well. A clearer picture as to their correct usage is painted with the examples below
She has a flare for photography ❌
She has a flair for photography ☑️
Tempers are bound to flare during heated debates ☑️
Tempers are bound to flair during heated debates ❌
Creek, Creak
Creek is a narrow waterway inlet while creak is a sound usually made by wood under pressure. See sentences below for correct usgae.
The creeks have been invaded by pirates ☑️
The creaks have been invaded by pirates ❌
The floorboards creeked as he walked on them ❌
The floorboards creaked as he walked on them ☑️
That will be all for now folks. Remember Google isn't your only friend, the dictionary is also a good companion.
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