We have more homophones for this installment. This time it's stationary and stationery, two words that are easily and often confused. Here's the scoop:

Stationery — with an e — is paper used for writing. 

Stationary — with an a — is something that is not moving.

For an easy memory aid, I like to relate the e in stationery with the e (or e's) in letter. You could also tell yourself the a in stationary stands for the a in "at rest." 

Do you have a better memory aid for distinguishing between these two words? If so, please share your thoughts in the comments.

Homophones. Those pesky little words that sound the same but are spelled differently and mean different things.

Homophones include words like rein and reign (and rain). While too, to and two are easily distinguished, other words seem to be more difficult. I read a recent blog post on a reputable and well-known site where the writer suggested that in order to live better, we sometimes need to "let go of the reigns." 

That should be: "Let go of the reins."

Reins are the literal means by which we control a horse ... or the figurative means by which we attempt to control our lives. 

Reign is what a king does. 

As a memory aid, just remember that king and reign both have a g. Doesn't that make it easy?

As for rain. Well, I think we're good on that one. Right?

While you're here, you might want to check out other homophones we've covered on the blog. 

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

The brilliant speaker who enthralled listeners at this college event may be a researcher of world renown (used as a noun), but he is a world-renowned (adjective) researcher.

That's it. This one is pretty simple. By the way ... renown means that a person or thing is widely recognized for a talent, ability or achievement. (As in a renowned painter or world-renowned museum.)

Do you have trouble with renown vs. renowned? Do you see this mistake often? Please share your thoughts and observations in the Comments.

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.

This word (mis)usage has become one of my top pet peeves. The shelf over your fireplace? That's a mantel. For years I've been pained by those TV and print commercials touting the craftsmanship of fireplace "mantles" made by members of the Amish community. (No disrespect to the Amish. I just trust they know more about making mantels than spelling them.)

Mantle and mantel are homophones; they sound the same but have different meanings. Let's take a quick at what they mean and attempt to remember the difference with a memory aid.

Mantle refers to either a literal garment or a figurative cloak of authority (like wearing a mantle of leadership). It can also refer to something that covers something else or to the inner core of the Earth found below its crust.

A mantel is the shelf that sits above a fireplace.

I've racked my brain (yes, it's racked, not wracked) trying to devise a memory aid to help writers remember the difference between these two words. Here's what I've come up with:

mantel — el, remember it's elevated above the fireplace.  

mantle — I couldn't think of a very good mnemonic for this one. My suggestion: Imagine you are at a party and  put on your coat to leave early. This should help you to remember that a mantle is (by one definition) a cloak or garment. At any rate, it may be sufficient to simply learn the first one and remember the other meanings all apply to mantle.

Have you been tripped up by these two words? Do you have a better memory aid to share for remembering the difference between them? Are you troubled by other homophones? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.

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