List S

sceptic or septic?	A SCEPTIC is one who is inclined to doubt or question accepted truths. SEPTIC is an adjective meaning ‘infected by bacteria’ (a SEPTIC wound). It also describes the drainage system in country areas which uses bacteria to aid decomposition (SEPTIC drainage, a SEPTIC tank).
seasonable or seasonal?	SEASONABLE = normal for the time of year (SEASONABLE weather) SEASONAL = happening at a particular season (SEASONAL employment)
shall or will?	The simple future tense uses ‘shall’ with I and we and ‘will’ with the other pronouns: I shall drive you (singular) will drive he/she/it will drive we shall drive you (plural) will drive they will drive By reversing ‘shall’ and ‘will’ you introduce a note of determination. Iwilldrive you shall drive he/she/it shall drive we will drive you shall drive they shall drive This distinction is lost in the contraction: I’ll drive. However, in speech, the tone of voice will indicate which is intended.
shining or shinning?	shine + ing = shining shin + ing = shinning
should or would?	‘Should’ and ‘would’ follow the pattern of ‘shall’ and ‘will’. Ishouldwork(ifIhadthechoice) you (singular) would work he/she/it would work we should work you (plural) would work they would work The correct construction often needed in aformalletteris: I SHOULD be grateful if you WOULD send me . . . In the sense of ‘ought to’, use ‘should’ in all cases: IknowI SHOULD apologise. You SHOULD write to your parents. She SHOULD understand if you explain. He SHOULD understand. We SHOULD repair the shed. You all SHOULD work harder. They SHOULD resign.
silicon or silicone?	SILICON = element used in electronics industry (SILICON chip) SILICONE = compound containing silicon and used in lubricants and polishes and in cosmetic surgery (SILICONE implants)
singeing or singing?	singe + ing = singeing sing + ing = singing
siting or sitting?	site + ing = siting sit + ing = sitting
sniping or snipping?	snipe + ing = sniping snip + ing = snipping
social or sociable?	SOCIAL = related to society. a SOCIAL worker,a SOCIAL problem, SOCIAL policy, SOCIAL housing SOCIABLE = friendly avery SOCIABLE person These two words are quite distinct in meaning even though they may be used with the same noun: a SOCIAL evening = an evening organised for the purpose of recreation a SOCIABLE evening = a friendly evening where everyone mixed well With any luck the social evening was also a sociable one!
some times or sometimes?	Use the exemplar sentences as a guide: There are SOME TIMES when I want to leave college. (= some occasions) SOMETIMES Iwanttoleavecollege. (=occasionally)
stationary or stationery?	STATIONARY = standing still (a STATIONARY car) STATIONERY = notepaper and envelopes
stimulant or stimulus?	Both words are related to ‘stimulate’ but there is a difference in meaning: A STIMULANT is a temporary energiser ike drink or drugs. A STIMULUS is something that motivates like competition).
strategem or strategy?	STRATEGEM = a plot, scheme, sometimes a trick, which will outwit an opponent or overcome a difficulty STRATEGY = the overall plan for conducting a war or achieving a major objective
strategy or tactics?	STRATEGY =theoverallplanorpolicy for achieving an objective TACTICS = the procedures necessary to carry out the strategic policy
swinging or swingeing?	swing + ing = swinging swinge + ing = swingeing