I've seen this usage error many times, but after spotting it recently on the website for a Nashville TV station, I decided it was time to tackle this subject on the grammar blog. 

Here is the egregious sentence:

"Possessions should never be covered with coats or towels as they only serve to peak the curiosity of thieves."

Peak, peek and pique are three words that sound the same but have vastly different meanings (homophones). In the case of these "P" words, if you aren't careful, you'll choose the wrong one. Let's run down the definitions for each to help you keep them straight.

A peak is something with a point, like a mountain peak or the peaks that form on a meringue. 

Peek is sneaking a look at something. 

Pique is to arouse interest, as in piquing someone's curiosity.

A memory aid for this one is a little tough, as the connections are counterintuitive. It would be easy to point out a connection between sneak and peak, but that's the wrong meaning. For peak, I suggest thinking of a capital A in peak to represent a mountain peak. For peek, I recommend thinking of the double e's in peek and see. I think pique is the toughest one for most writers because of its French derivation. It looks like it would be pronounced "pee-kay, "pee-Q" or even "pick." Because it's a little different, I think that's why folks often err toward using the more common-looking choices of peak and peek. When it comes to pique, try to think of a curious Frenchman looking inquisitive. (Inquisitive even has the "qu" letter combination.) 

That's it. Just remember a mountain peAk, sEE and pEEk and a curious Frenchman. 

Do you have a memory aid for distinguishing between peak, peek and pique? Did you know the different meanings for these words? (No shame or embarrassment here if you didn't!) Please share your thoughts in the Comments below.

It's becoming an everyday occurrence to see everyday and every day used incorrectly. Yes, I see it almost every day. 

If you struggle to understand the difference between the two — or if you didn't realize there was a difference — this post is intended to boil it down for you.

Everyday is an adjective meaning routine, typical or ordinary. 
It always modifies a noun or noun phrase that follows it.

Examples: 
an everyday walk
an everyday pair of shoes
an everyday set of dishes

Every day is an adverbial phrase that describes how often an action takes place. 
It also means each day.

Examples:
Cindy goes to work every day. (But she wears her everyday clothes.) 
Don plays golf every day during the summer. (And he wears an everyday shirt.)

If you still have trouble keeping them straight, try substituting the word ordinary and see if the sentence makes sense. If it does, everyday is correct. If not, use every day. If you can substitute the phrase each day, then every day is correct.

Did you find this tip helpful? Do you have other memory tools for remembering the difference between everyday and every day? Your comments are always welcome. If you have a writing or grammar question, please submit it through the link in the sidebar.