Easily Confused Words - Sphelling Maters Quiz

Answer: Councillor

The word councillor comes from the Anglo-French counseil, meaning a meeting or assembly. Today, it refers to an elected official who sits on a local government council to vote on town laws and budgets. If you ever need to ask your town why they spent tax money on a giant rubber duck statue for the park, this is the person you would complain to.

How to remember - The ci in the middle stands for city civics.

Answer: Capital

The word capital comes from the Latin capitalis, meaning "of the head," which is why it relates to top-tier things. Today, it has a few jobs: it refers to an uppercase letter, a city that serves as the seat of government, or the wealth and money used to start a business. If you want to use your financial capital to open a bakery in the nation's capital, you better make sure the sign out front starts with a capital letter.

How to remember - It ends in -al, which stands for the principAL city where government officials live.

Answer: Stationary

The word stationary comes from the Latin stationarius, meaning belonging to a station or standing still. Today, it describes an object that is completely fixed in place, not moving, or unchanging in condition. If you are sweating your way through a workout on a bicycle that is bolted to the gym floor, you are riding a stationary bike.

How to remember - It is spelled with an a, which stands for at rest or anchored.

Answer: Complement

The word complement comes from the Latin complementum, meaning that which fills up or completes. Today, it refers to something that goes perfectly with something else, improves it, or makes it whole. If you ever eat a perfectly salted french fry dipped in a chocolate milkshake, those two completely different flavors are acting as a delicious complement to each other.

How to remember - It is spelled with an e, just like the word complete.

Answer: Capitol

The word capitol comes from the Latin Capitolium, which was the temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill in ancient Rome. Today, it has only one specific job: it refers to the actual physical building where a legislature or government group meets to make laws. If you ever decide to take a field trip to see where politicians argue about laws all day, you will be standing inside a majestic capitol building.

How to remember - It is spelled with an o, which looks just like the round dome sitting on top of the building - at least in the USA.

Answer: Counsellor

The word counsellor traces back to the Latin consiliarius, which means an advisor or someone who gives wise direction. Today, it describes a professional trained to give guidance, like a school guidance counselor or a mental health therapist. When your brain feels like a tangled ball of yarn and you need someone to help you untangle it without judging your weirdest habits, this is the person you go see.

How to remember - It is spelled with an s, which stands for Solving things.

Answer: Eminent

The word eminent comes from the Latin eminentem, meaning standing out, projecting, or prominent. Today, it describes a person who is highly famous, respected, and successful within their specific field or profession. If a world-renowned scientist who won three Nobel Prizes walks into your classroom to give a lecture, you are in the presence of an eminent scholar.

How to remember - It starts with an e, which stands for esteemed or expert.

Answer: Stationery

The word stationery comes from the Middle English stationer, which referred to a bookseller or publisher who had a fixed, permanent shop rather than a traveling cart. Today, it specifically refers to writing materials like high-quality paper, envelopes, notebooks, and pens. If you ever feel the sudden, expensive urge to buy a fancy leather journal and a fountain pen that you will probably only use once, you are shopping for stationery.

How to remember - It is spelled with an e, which stands for envelopes.

Answer: Imminent

The word imminent comes from the Latin imminentem, meaning overhanging, leaning over, or projecting. Today, it describes something, usually a threat or danger, that is fast approaching and about to happen at any moment. If the sky suddenly turns pitch black and tornado sirens start blaring, you are in imminent danger of getting soaked.

How to remember - It starts with i, which stands for immediately.

Answer: Compliment

The word compliment comes from the Latin complere, which meant to fill up or fulfill, but it traveled through Italian and French to mean a polite expression of praise. Today, it refers to a nice comment you make to someone to admire their style, skills, or appearance. If you tell your friend that their new haircut makes them look like a famous movie star, you are giving them a wonderful compliment.

How to remember - It is spelled with an i, and I love to receive nice praise.