Friday Follies is changing it up once again! This is due to the very busy week the Grammar Cop just had – which means there was less time for reading and finding gaffes for you. So instead, she will share with you a partial list of words that are often mistaken for each other, borrowed from a book I just happen to have on hand. I don’t think I’ll get sued, as I’m giving full credit* to the person who compiled the list. Here goes:

The CAPITOL building…………………………is situated in the CAPITAL city

The STATUE had such STATURE…………there was a STATUTE to protect it

Members of the COUNCIL…………mocked the lawyers for their COUNSEL

It is my guiding TENET……………………………to overcharge my TENANTS

Each business was a DISCRETE entity……………so we had to be DISCREET

A judge should be DISINTERESTED………………but never UNINTERESTED

The arrival of the EMINENT scientist……… was thought to be IMMINENT

I tried to AFFECT the jury’s decision………the EFFECT of which was a fine

They FLAUNTED the fact………………………….that they FLOUTED the law

I was asked to FORWARD…………………the new FOREWORD I had written

One should be WARY……………………………………of driving when WEARY

Due to the RAIN throughout her REIGN…………the Queen grips her REINS

After FLOUNDERING about……………..he FOUNDERED beneath the waves

I took a PEEK at the mountain PEAK……….which had PIQUED my curiosity

The school PRINCIPAL………………………….is a woman of few PRINCIPLES

The vehicle delivering STATIONERY………………was STATIONARY in traffic

The COMPLIMENTARY wine……………..COMPLEMENTED the fish perfectly

I will ACCEPT all gifts………………………………EXCEPT those that are cheap

The police could not ELICIT a confession…………about his ILLICIT activities

The STRAIT of Hormuz………………………………………is far from STRAIGHT

There was an ORDINANCE………………………..against firing any ORDNANCE

He was TAUGHT not to TAUNT……………………the woman for her TAUT grip

Poor weather meant the GUERRILLAS shot………..the GORILLAS in the mist

This FOWL…………………………………………………………………..tastes FOUL

His company was INTOLERABLE……………..because he was so INTOLERANT

Hospital PATIENTS…………………………………………need to have PATIENCE

Building SITES are splendid SIGHTS …………….so we CITE them in the guide

*Excerpted from SCHOTT’S ORIGINAL MISCELLANY by Ben Schott (Bloomsbury Publishing Plc., 2002)

Back next week to your regularly scheduled programming. 🙂