Tuesday Tricksters, October 4, Knot - Koi

Here we go again! Another episode featuring those tricky words in English that can make any writer look bad.

Homophones are words that sound alike -- or nearly so -- but are spelled differently and mean something different. Even the best writers can make an error if they're not watching closely, especially if they're trusting spellcheck.

Let's all remember that spellcheck does one thing, and one thing only: it corrects spelling. It does not and probably never will correct usage. That's the writer's job. We need to be alert, so we look and sound as smart as we are.

******************

Knot (n.): a securely tied up string or ribbon; a place where a tree limb joins the trunk; a cross-grained circular part on some boards; or a unit of sped of one nautical mile; (v.): to tie up securely

Naught (n.): nonexistence; nothingness; the figure 0; a cipher; a zero; (pron.): nothing: All their work was for naught.

Not (adv.): in no way; to no degree; used to express negation, denial, refusal, or prohibition: I will not go. You may not have any.

Know (v.): to understand; to be familiar with

No (adv.): the opposite of yes; used to express denial or negation; (inter.): to express disbelief or refusal: No! I will not do that!

Knows (v.): understands

Noes (n.): plural of no: How many yesses and how many noes did we have?

Nose (n.): the part of the face used for breathing and smelling odors; (v.): to poke into things; to find by using the sense of smell

Kohl (n.): a dark powder used as eye makeup, especially in Eastern countries

Coal (v.): a dark brown to black graphitelike material used as a fuel

Cole (n): cabbage; a plant of the Brassica genus (rape and coleseed)

Koi (n.): a large, colorful variety of carp (Cyprinus carpio) bred mostly in Japan for display in ornamental ponds

Coy (adj.): affecting innocence or shyness, esp. in a playful or coquettish manner

(You can find more definitions of these words at www.yourdictionary.com.)

Were any of these words new to you? 

***************

Thanks for taking the time to read this post. If it has helped you in any way, I hope you will . . . 

Like or Share it, so your connections can see it and perhaps learn too. Comment in the comments section under the post, so you can be seen by my connections. You never know who would be interested in YOU. 

*************

My previous posts can be seen here, and they're easy to find because they're categorized. Just type in a word in the search box on the topic you're looking for and see everything I wrote on it.  

**************

Do the associates in your company look and sound as smart as they are? They would if they could take one of my Brush Up on Your Skills workshops right where they work. If your company hires outside experts to teach any topic to its associates, please share my posts and website with your Human Resources or Training Manager. 

Are you a member of an association or other group that is looking for a speaker for one of its meetings? There are a lot of communication-based topics that could be perfect for a light-hearted and interesting presentation. 

I offer free generic Brush Up on Your Skills workbooks in a pdf format in American grammar, business writing, and interpersonal skills. They show what I teach in my three-hour corporate classes.

Want one? Let me know which one, and please send me your e-mail address.