Homonym Heaven

Have you ever visited a visually attractive site and then spotted phrases such as, "If your interested in learning more about our Websight, e-mail us," or "This product comes with an unconditional guarantee. Its high quality will make youre life better!"? How about, "Body fat problems? We can help. Of coarse you need patients when it comes to reducing the access around youre waste."

You have just entered the puzzling world of homonyms (same: homo - name: nym). A homonym is a word with the same pronunciation as another but with a different meaning and origin and usually, different spelling as well. These little critters run rampant through cyberspace, especially on Websites, often turning away potential clients/customers.

Rather than rip apart people who use homonyms in their text, I want to offer some friendly help. Well use some of the most common mistakes and offer alternatives
according Webgrammars Style!

ALL RIGHT vs. ALRIGHT
All right: all right means okay, satisfactory, agreeable, safe, good, well.

Alright: While alright is used often in fictional dialogue, and is still preferred by some writers of journalistic and business publications, well merely say that it is outdated for daily use.

ITS vs. ITS
Its: The possessive form of the pronoun it. NEVER written with an apostrophe. Since most possessives have apostrophes, this confuses many people.

Its: contractions of it is and it has. Examples: Its time to go ... Its been great ... Its a well-designed site.

YOUR vs. YOURE
Your shows ownership: its your choice ... its your money ... its your Website.

Youre is a contraction of "you" and "are." Example: Youre heading in the right direction.

Both words: Youre taking a big risk with your animated graphics."

THEIR vs. THEYRE vs. THERE
Their: possessive form of the word "they." As with the possessive of it, you do NOT use an apostrophe for this word. You say, "Their site is colorful, crisp, and clear."

Theyre: Contraction of the words "they" and "are." Example: Theyre giving away powerful prizes.

There: at or in that place, e.g., "Now there is a sound system to die for."

All three: Theyre eating their hot fudge sundaes before heading over there.

PRINCIPAL vs. PRINCIPLE
Principal: first in authority; main participant; amount of a debt, investment, minus the interest, or on which interest is computed. Examples: She is a high school principal ... K. A. Simpson is a principal in the firm ... he still owes $5,000 on the principal.

Principle: basic truth or assumption. His ethics and principles are lower than a snake slithering on its stomach.

If youre a Website owner who has problems with homonyms, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or just plain writing, dont be discouraged! You have a number of choices:

1. Ignore the fact and hope no one notices. After all, you have a great product or service!

2. Keep a good dictionary on your desk at all times, use it frequently, and guard it with your life.

3. Hire a copyeditor to proof your words.

4. Ask a friend to proof your words. If your friend isnt tactful and youre rather sensitive, you may end up with one less friend and a hole in your heart.

5. Find one of the many sites designed to help you with specific grammar and language problems. See the list below.

6. Ask Webgrammar for advice at
webgrammar@webgrammar.com

HELPFUL SITES:
Guide to Grammar and Writing
http://webster.commnet.edu/HP/pages/darling/grammar/index.html-ssi

Alan Coopers Homonyms
http://www.cooper.com/alan/homonym.html

Teaching Spelling
http://kidswriting.about.com/kidsteens/kidswriting/msub150.htm

Capitalization Rules
http://www.taft.cc.ca.us/jbuddell/CAPITALS.HTML

Punctuation Made Simple
http://www.cas.usf.edu/JAC/pms/

About the Author

Judy Vorfeld:To contact see details below. Copy Editing - Copy Writing (documents & Web) Web Site Analysis - Design - Coordination Office Support Services Webgrammar - http://www.webgrammar.com Arizona Phone: 623-876-8168 || Fax 623-876-8169


oss@ossweb.com
http://www.ossweb.com