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A few frequently fumbled factoids forming first with F

Although there aren't as many words in the "F" category as we've seen in other exampled letters, there are definitely enough to meet our top 5 quota. Here are the ones making our list:

F vs. Ph

You've all been there, when we're first learning English,one rule that often gets mixed up is the difference between F and Ph in words such as…

• Phone
• Fault
• Phantom
• Phony
• Funky
• Phosphorous

Our best bet here is to just memorize the words as we go. When speaking them, they sound pretty much the same since the "Ph" makes a hard "F" sound as if it were an "F". Remember when pronouncing words with "Ph" it does not sound like "pone" with a hard "p" but rather with a "Fuhone" type of pronunciation like a hard F like fur, fake, fortune.

Farther vs. Further

Farther: Relative to physical distance, being faraway.

Further: Use this when talking about figurative distance, metaphorical or emotional distance.

Examples: It seems Kay will be moving far, far away. "Towards the East Coast," her family told their friends, "not much farther than Charlottetown, PEI". I would like to make an argument against the lack of environmental practices done on this campus, further, I know we are capable of achieving great strides if we put our minds together on this project.

What happens if the subject matter isn't specified?

If it happens that you're unsure whether the situation is asking you for distance or metaphorical distance it doesn't matter which word you pick. Try as best as you can to find the correct way of spelling, but it's okay to use either one if the specifics aren't there. These words have used interchangeably for many years, so if you're unsure of the context, just use which ever you think fits.

Field

This is one of those simple words that is often spelled incorrectly. It is important to make sure that you spell it with the "i" before the "e" even though when saying the word "field" it may seem like the "e" comes first. Remember the rule I before E except after C. Also do not confuse this word with fled or "filed". Sometimes the spell checker picks up these incorrect words so be weary. "Feld" means to leave in a hurry, and "filed" means to organize, usually papers. So make sure to check spell check because these seemingly easy words are easy to mix up.

Fibre and Fiber

Again with the US and British spelling of words. Fiber is the American way to spell it and fibre is the British way, Canada also uses the British form in their spelling system.

Fine

This word is multi-purpose and so I'd like to go over as many of its different meanings as I can to prevent confusion.

Fine...

1. As an Adjective, meaning very high quality, very good version of its kind.

   • This is a fine piece of artwork, I'll take it!

2. As an Adjective, for something to be very thin or narrow.

   • The fine yarn was twirled around the knitting needles.
     

3. Within the game of Cricket even! Means to get behind the wicket and close to the line when the ball is bowled.

4. As a noun, to pay a sum of money.
   

   • Sir, you must pay the fine for parking overnight in a non-parking zone.)
     

5. As an adverb, to denote that something is going well.

   • "How did your test go today?" "Oh, just fine."

Photos Courtesy of Flickr and Creative Commons Licensing: Brent Nelson, Mayu, RBerteig, mikewade, AlastairMoore