At the risk of boring readers with information they already know, I'm citing another misuse from TV news.  Commentators and so-called educated people should know the difference between "allude" and "elude," for instance. Yesterday's news repoorter did not.

Hearing this mis-use last evening on the news, I decided to consult The Write Way again this morning, looking for ways in which I have probably been at fault.  I was editing a manuscript preparing to send the short story to a contest.  I noticed that I had written "….skin peaked through his jeans. . . "  A gong went off in my head. I know that peak refers to a mountain or point of reference.  I needed "peeked," signifying a sly look or a condition governed by sight.  

We often misuse "can" and "may" in casual conversation.  "Can I offer you lunch?"  is one I hear quite often.  "Can" refers to capability. "May" refers to permission.  I know that the inquirer is ABLE to give me lunch.  If she had said "May I offer you lunch," she would be gramatically correct.

And here is a homophone that makes me wonder how any foreigener has the patience to learn the English language: pear, pair, pare!!   The three words refer to a fruit, to a couple of anything and to cut.

Have a good week. Until tomorrow, Willma