Can you make the correct choice between these often-confused pairs of words?

No. 1: When we're writing on (a. stationary, b. stationery), we hope it will remain (a. stationary, b. stationery).

No. 2: When the (a. hardy, b. hearty) explorers returned from their rigorous journey, their comrades gave them a (a. hardy, b. hearty) welcome.

No. 3: We attended the (a. premiere, b. premier) of a play by the (a. premiere, b. premier) playwright of our time.

No. 4: The (a. shear, b. sheer) size of the sheep made her difficult to (a. shear, b. sheer).

No. 5: After (a. floundering, b. foundering) desperately in the heavy seas, the doomed boat eventually (a. floundered, b. foundered).

No. 6: Speaking of founders, I will (a. forbear, b. forebear) from boring you with stories about my (a. forbears, b. forebears).

No. 7: We (a. complemented, b. complimented) our hosts on how well their wine choices (a. complemented, b. complimented) the meal.

No. 8: After the thunder and (a. lightening, b. lightning) ceased, the moon rose, (a. lightening, b. lightning) the sky.

Answers (with a few helpful mnemonics):

No. 1) b., a. "Stationery" means "writing paper." Remember, both "stationery" and "letter" have an "e." "Stationary" means "standing still." Think of the "a" in "stay."

No. 2) a., b. A laurel for "hardy," which means "strong." Think "d" as in "durable." "Hearty" means "exuberant, vigorous, unrestrained." Think "whole-hearted."

No. 3) a., b. The noun "premiere" is the first performance of a film, play or musical work. Think "e" as in "earliest." The adjective "premier" means "first, foremost," and the noun "premier" means a nation's top leader.

No. 4) b., a. "Shear" means "to cut, clip." It has an "a," as in a sheep's "bah." "Sheer" means "utter, unmitigated."

No. 5) a., b. "Flounder" means "to move clumsily, thrash about." Picture a dying flounder on the beach. "Founder," from a Latin word meaning "bottom" (as in "foundation"), means "to fail, collapse, sink." Think Titanic.

No. 6) a., b. "Forbear" (accent on the second syllable) means "to refrain, hold back." "Forebear" (accent on the first syllable) means "ancestor."

No. 7) b., a. "Compliment" has an "i," as in, "I like it." "Complement" has an "e" because the two items "complete" each other.

No. 8) b., a. Remember that "lightning" is so quick it drops the "e." "Lightening" means either "to brighten with light" or to "make lighter in weight."

Rankings: 6-8 correct — Fared well; 3-5 correct — Well, fair; 0-2 correct — Farewell.

Rob Kyff, a teacher and writer in West Hartford, Connecticut, invites your language sightings. His new book, "Mark My Words," is available for $9.99 on Amazon.com. Send your reports of misuse and abuse, as well as examples of good writing, via email to [email protected] or by regular mail to Rob Kyff, Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.

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