pompom/pompon POMPOM/POMPON To most people that fuzzy ball on the top of a knit hat and the implement wielded by a cheerleader are both “pompoms,” but to traditionalists they are “pompons,” spelled the way the French—who gave us the word—spell it. A pompom, say these purists, is only a sort of large gun. Though you’re unlikely to bother many people by falling into the common confusion, you can show off your education by observing the distinction. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/pompom.html03/09/2005 15:39:23 populace/populous POPULACE/POPULOUS The population of a country may be referred to as its populace, but a crowded country is populous. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/populace.html03/09/2005 15:39:23 pore/pour PORE/POUR When used as a verb, “pore” has the unusual sense of “scrutinize,” as in “She pored over her receipts.” If it’s coffee or rain, the stuff pours. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/pore.html03/09/2005 15:39:23 possessed of/possessed by/possessed with POSSESSED OF/POSSESSED BY/ POSSESSED WITH If you own a yacht, you’re possessed of it. If a demon takes over your body, you’re possessed by it. If that which possesses you is more metaphorical, like an executive determined to get ahead, he or she can be possessed by or with the desire to win. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/possessed.html03/09/2005 15:39:23 practice/practise PRACTICE/PRACTISE In the United Kingdom, “practice” is the noun, “practise” the verb; but in the U.S. the spelling “practice” is commonly used for both, though the distinction is sometimes observed. “Practise” as a noun is, however, always wrong in both places: a doctor always has a “practice,” never a “practise.” List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/practice.html03/09/2005 15:39:23 practicle PRACTICLE PRACTICAL Some words end in “-icle” and others in “-ical” without the result being any difference in pronunciation. But when you want somebody really practical, call on good old AL. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/practicle.html03/09/2005 15:39:24 pray/prey PRAY/PREY If you want a miracle, pray to God. If you’re a criminal you prey on your victims. Incidentally, it’s “praying mantis,” not “preying mantis.” The insect holds its forefeet in a position suggesting prayer. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/pray.html03/09/2005 15:39:24 precede/proceed PRECEDE/PROCEED “Precede” means “to go before.” “Proceed” means to go on. Let your companion precede you through the door, then proceed to follow her. Interestingly, the second E is missing in “procedure.” List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/precede.html03/09/2005 15:39:24 precedence/precedents PRECEDENCE/PRECEDENTS Although these words sound the same, they work differently. The pop star is given precedence over the factory worker at the entrance to the dance club. “Precedents” is just the plural of “precedent": “If we let the kids adopt that rattlesnake as a pet and agree to let them take it for a walk in Death Valley, we’ll be setting some bad precedents.” List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/precedence.html03/09/2005 15:39:24 precipitate/precipitous PRECIPITATE/PRECIPITOUS Both of these adjectives are based on the image of plunging over the brink of a precipice, but “precipitate” emphasizes the suddenness of the plunge, “precipitous,” the steepness of it. If you make a “precipitate” decision, you are making a hasty and probably unwise one. If the stock market declines “precipitously,” it goes down sharply. List of errors file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/precipitate.html03/09/2005 15:39:24