Prompt Proofing Blog Post: More About Hononyms

    VANCOUVER, BC, October 14, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- We have touched on the subject of hononyms before but they are so plentiful - and so confusing - that they warrant more attention.

When I enjoyed an all-too-rare visit to the theatre over the weekend, I was perplexed to read in the programme that the director had been pouring over the script. Presumably she was not pouring milk over it! If you are perusing something with great care, looking at it in detail, then you are poring over it. Pouring is strictly for liquids.

This led me to ruminate on a few other frequent misconceptions. If any of these have confused you in the past, hopefully this guide will help you in differentiating between these words that all sound identical but have very different meanings:

- Compliment / complement

If someone says something nice about you, they are paying you a compliment. If you complement something, you complete it (an easy way to remember this usage is to remember the similarity in spelling between complement and complete).

For example: The bechamel sauce was a perfect complement to the beef tenderloin.

- Insure / ensure

Generally speaking, if you insure something it means that you have paid money to protect against something untoward happening; you have taken out insurance. If you wish to be certain that something will happen, then you need to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that it does.

For example: We insured our home against theft, fire and flood damage.
But: You must ensure that you get to the airport on time or you will miss the flight.

- Personal / personnel

I was recently amused to read the following - on a sign at the airport, no less:

This area reserved for official personall only.

Clearly this writer was extremely confused! In short, personal is anything to do with your person. Personnel refers to the people working for an organization.

For example: That phone call was personal; it should not be charged to the business.
But: All personnel need to be able to access this data.

- Loose / lose

You lose your wallet if you misplace it; if something is loose then it is not tight, or it has escaped.

For example: Those pants are far too loose.
Or: There was a panic when the lion got loose from its cage.

- Wave / waive

You wave at someone to say hi. You waive your right to do something.

For example: I saw you at the concert. Didn't you see me wave to you?
But: You need to sign this form to waive your right to sue us if you get injured.

- Illicit / elicit

If something is illicit then it is unlawful; to elicit means to draw something out (often information).

For example: The police found illicit drugs on the teenager.
But: Even after hours of questioning, the police were unable to elicit a confession from the suspect.

If you have any hononyms that are commonly confused, please share them! Talk to us via email, Twitter or on our Facebook page.

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