Mnemonic devices help us memorize and regurgitate hard-to-remember facts. Every Good Boy Does Fine (to remember notes on the treble clef) and MVEMJSUNP (to remember the planets—thank you Screech!) are two devices that have actually stayed with me over the years; most I’ve long forgotten.
But as a writer/editor with an imperfect memory, I’ve been creating my own collection of spelling devices as tricky words pop up and cause me to doubt my public education.
There are word pairs (like affect/effect, insure/ensure) that I have no trouble with—my brain has graciously chosen to just remember the difference. Hooray!
There are plenty of word pairs that do trip me up, though. But when I encounter these words, instead of heading to Merriam-Webster for help, I reference the trusty devices below to avoid mistakes.1
And the best part of it? The tricks are pulled right from the words themselves, so you need only look at their spelling for guidance.
1. compliment(ary) vs. complement(ary)
Between these 2 words, 3 ideas can be expressed:
complimentary = 1. giving praise 2. free
Start with the “i” then add the 2nd meaning to create this phrase: I like your shirt—was it free?2
complementary = completes or enhances something
(or, just remember it’s that 3rd meaning not included in “I like your shirt—was it free?”)
2. compose vs. comprise
compose = make up
comprise = include, contain
Think of their relationship with “of” and “in”
You can say “composed of”
You can say “comprised in”
You can’t say “comprised of” (well, some say you can, but people like me will judge you)
The collection is composed of many pieces.
. . . you can also flip it and take out the preposition: Many pieces compose the collection.
Many pieces are comprised in the collection.
. . . you can also flip it and take out the preposition: The collection comprises (includes) many pieces.
The collection is comprised of many pieces. (This usage is disputed—phrase it this way if you want to incur the stickler’s wrath)
Double check: When in doubt with “comprise,” replace “comprise” with “include”—does it sound OK?
3. continual vs. continuous
continual = occurs over and over
The final “l” looks like a tick mark used to chalk up the number of times the event keeps happening
continuous = occurs without stopping
The final “s” looks like a river that is continuously flowing
4. discreet vs. discrete
discreet = modest, unobtrusive
That “ee” keeps a low, discreet profile
discrete = distinct
Compared to the “ee,” the “t” sticks up like a distinct barrier between discrete’s 2 e’s
5. imply vs. infer
imply = express indirectly
when you imply, you place or plant an idea in your words
infer = derive, surmise
when you infer, you find an idea in someone’s words
6. principal vs. principle
principle = foundation, fundamental idea
Consider what’s after the second p: an “l,” so I lay the “l” down to make a foundation __ or underlying principle
principal = chief, most important
Consider what’s after the second p: An “a,” so think “A-one”
(I know, I could just reference Principal Belding saying the last 3 letters in principal spell “pal,” but I think one Saved by the Bell reference per post will suffice.)
Footnotes:
1. Full disclosure: In order for this system to work, you do have to remember both words as a pair since the system is based on spelling comparison
2. Don’t actually ask anyone if their shirt was free—that would be rude.
I hope this blog content helps improve your writing. If you’d rather outsource those improvements, just send your piece to Whitney@GrayHawkEditing.com and I’ll get to work perfecting it!
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