What is the Difference Between Fourth and Forth? Fourth and forth are homophones, which means their pronunciations are identical, yet their spellings and meanings are different. Fourth is an adjective that means the ordinal number for four. Andy came in first, Sarah came in second, John came in third, and Robert came in fourth in the race. Forth is an
What’s the Difference Between Feed and Fed? These two words share a common definition, although one is the past tense form of the other. Feed is the base form of a verb that means to give food to a person or animal. The parents are careful to feed their baby a healthy diet. Fed is the past tense form of
What’s the Difference Between Fair and Fare? Fair and fare are homophones, which means they have the same pronunciation but different spellings and meanings. Fair can act as a noun, adjective, or adverb. As a noun, fair refers to a gathering of people to buy and sell items, or for the purpose of amusement and entertainment. As an adjective or
What’s the Difference Between Dairy and Diary? Dairy and diary might look similar, but their pronunciations are fairly different, and their definitions are very different. Dairy can act as either an adjective or a noun that relates to milk—or food made from milk. It has two syllables, and the first syllable contains the long a sound. People who are lactose
What’s the Difference Between Coma and Comma? Coma and comma look and sound fairly similar, but not exactly alike. Coma has a long o sound whereas comma has a short o sound. The two words’ definitions, however, are nothing alike. Coma is a noun that means an extended period of unconsciousness. After a terrible car accident, the man entered a
What’s the Difference Between Calvary and Cavalry? Calvary and cavalry are two words that sound almost—but not exactly—alike. The internal letters of each word are different, but they look enough alike that they confuse writers. Calvary is a noun that relates to the crucifixion of Jesus, an important religious figure in Christian religions. Jesus died on the cross at Calvary.
What’s the Difference Between Aural and Oral? Aural and oral are confusing because they can be pronounced the same way, and they each can relate to a different one of the five senses. Aural relates to the ear or the sense of hearing. It has two correct pronunciations, one of which is the same as oral. The alternate pronunciation is
What’s the Difference Between Payed and Paid? Both of these are legitimate words, but you are only likely to ever encounter one in everyday writing. Payed is a common misspelling of the past tense form of the verb pay, but it does have its own specific definition (see below) Stop! That thief hasn’t payed for that food! (incorrect spelling –
What is the Difference Between Pray and Prey? Pray and prey are two English homophones. This means that the words have the same pronunciation but different definitions and spellings. Because their definitions are completely unrelated, the two words are never interchangeable. Pray is a verb related to praising or petitioning a god. Devout believers pray for salvation every night. Prey
What’s the Difference Between Breakdown and Break Down? Breakdown and break down look and sound almost exactly the same. Despite the similarities between the two words, they are not the same part of speech. Therefore, it is not possible to interchange the two spellings. Breakdown is a noun that means a failure of a system, a relationship, one’s mental health,