accommodation Double c, double m
adapter writer who adapts, for example, a book for TV
adaptor an electrical device
affect (verb) make a difference to, have an influence on
effect (noun) change that is the result of something; (verb) = cause to happen, bring about
aficionado this is a Spanish word meaning fan, eg a football fan, a jazz fan. Often misused to mean expert
biased, focusing, focused these all have one s, not two
biannual something that happens twice a year
biennial something that happens every two years
choose pick (present tense) I don’t know which dress to choose
chose picked (past tense) I chose the red dress
complementary combining with something to make a complete whole.
complimentary means expressing praise, to pay someone a compliment. It also means something is added for free.
That lipstick really complements your dress. Not: That lipstick really compliments your dress (“Mmmm, beautiful dress”, said the lipstick)
My boss was very complimentary about my presentation
Book seats mid-week and receive a complimentary hot drink
definite not definate
dependant noun. She died leaving three dependants.
dependent adjective. The three boys were dependent on their mother
disc used for recordings, as in compact disc
disk used in computers
discreet careful in order to avoid embarrassment
discrete individually separate and distinct
embarrass double r, double s
enquire ask. I will go to the front desk and enquire about room service
enquiry question. Hello, I have an enquiry about room service
inquire undertake a formal investigation. MPs will inquire into the controversy over Iraq
inquiry formal investigation. They are launching an inquiry into the Iraq war.
flaunt show off, display. If you’ve got it, flaunt it!
flout express contempt for. Driving so fast is flouting the law
ensure make sure. Please ensure that you fill out the form correctly
insure take out insurance. It’s sensible to insure your car in case of road accidents
everyday an everyday occurrence
every day I drink tea every day
forever means continually. I’m forever getting this wrong
for ever until the end of time. I will love you for ever
forward direction
foreword preface to a book
fulfil or fulfilment one l
harass one r, two s
home in on aim at, focus on, move towards He homed in on his target
hone sharpen He honed his woodwork skills
independent with an e, not independant
install double l
instalment one l
judgement, acknowledgement preferred to ‘judgment’ and ‘acknowledgment’
led not lead is the past tense of lead. It led to a lot of discussion
liaison i before and after the a. Watch this one, as it’s often not picked up in a spellchecker
literally word for word, without metaphor, without exaggeration. Not a replacement for ‘virtually’
loose adjective. Not tight
loose verb. Release
lose mislay; be defeated
millennium double l, double n
online one word, not on-line
program computer application
programme TV, radio, etc
separate there’s an a in the middle, rather than seperate
stationary not moving The car was stationary
stationery paper, etc. Tip from the BBC style guide – a cAR can be stationARy, papER is stationERy
unique unequalled, the only one of its kind. A thing cannot be “very unique”
unmistakable not unmistakeable with an e
There’s lots of resources available online, for example at The Times and The Guardian