resister/resistor
RESISTER/RESISTOR
A resistor is part of an electrical circuit; a person who resists something is a “resister."
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/resister.html03/09/2005 15:39:49
retch/wretch
RETCH/WRETCH
If you vomit, you retch; if you behave in a wretched manner or fall into wretched circumstances, you
are a wretch.
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/retch.html03/09/2005 15:39:49
reticent/hesitant
RETICENT/HESITANT
“Reticent” most often means “reluctant to speak.” It can also mean "reserved,” “restrained,” though
conservatives prefer to use it to apply only to speech. If you’re feeling nervous about doing
something, you’re hesitant: “I’m hesitant about trying to ride a unicycle in public.” “Hesitant” is by
far the more common word; so if you hesitate to choose between the two, go with “hesitant."
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/reticent.html03/09/2005 15:39:49
return back
RETURN BACK
RETURN
A redundancy. Use just “return,” unless you mean to say instead “turn back."
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/returnback.html03/09/2005 15:39:49
revelant
REVELANT
RELEVANT
"Revelant” is both spoken and written frequently when “relevant” is intended.
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/revelant.html03/09/2005 15:39:49

ROW TO HOE
Out in the cotton patch you have a tough row to hoe. This saying has nothing to do with road construction.
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/road.html03/09/2005 15:39:51
rob/steal
ROB/STEAL
When you rob a bank, you steal its money. You can’t rob the money itself. The stuff taken in a
robbery is always stolen, not “robbed."
List of errors
file:///C|/Temp/livres/commonerrors/errors/rob.html03/09/2005 15:39:51