a lot

a lot: two words, not one!

(pronoun) a large number or amount

(adv) a great deal

(n) a particular group, collection, set

A lot of people think "a lot" is one word. It is not.

compliment and complement

compliment: (n) a polite expression of praise or admiration; (v) to congratulate or praise

complement: (n) a thing that completes or brings to perfection; something required to make a group complete; (v) to add in a way that enhances or improves; make perfect

Your compliments about my dress complement my feelings about our date.

neither and either

either: used to indicate a similarity or link with a statement just made.

neither: not either; not the one nor the other 

He said I could have either one, but I wanted neither.

accept and except

accept: (v) consent to receive; come to recognize or believe something as valid or correct

except: (preposition) not including; other than — (conjunction) used as a statement that forms an exception to one just made — (v) specify as not included; exclude

I accept you are exceptional, except when you are not.

bread and bred

bread: (n) food made of water, flour and yeast; money

bred: (adjective) a person or animal reared in a specified environment or way


The city-bred man didn't have a lot of bread.

bored and board

Just saw this one and thought to myself, "What is so exciting about a board?"

bored: feeling unoccupied or lacking interest in activity

board: (n) a long, flat piece of wood; (v) to get on or into

I am bored of this board. Let's board the ship.

clothes and close

This one makes me laugh every time I see it!

clothes: items worn to cover the body

close: (v) move or cause to move; (adj) a short distance away; (n) the end of an event

Close the box of clothes and place it close to the entrance so the postman will know to pick it up even after we close the shop.